Bossier-Shreveport claims Game One victory, 5-4

ALLEN, Texas – After a week of uncertainty for the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, the team was finally able to get back to playing hockey Friday night with the result, a 5-4 win over the top-seeded Allen Americans in Game One of the best-of-seven Berry Conference final. The Mudbugs staked a 4-1 lead through two periods of play, then held off a late charge by the Americans to pick up the extremely important road win. Shawn Limpright’s third period, short-handed goal proved to be the game-winner for Bossier-Shreveport. Limpright took a feed from Michael Couch, slipped past Allen’s Dave Bonk and put the put into the net, between the pads of Americans goalie Chris Whitley. The goal was Limpright’s seventh of the post-season and second of the night. It was also his second straight game-winning goal. Bossier-Shreveport held a 2-1 lead at the first intermission thanks to a pair of power play goals. After Allen took a 1-0 lead on an early score by Bonk just 3:32 into the game, Simon Mangos and Justin Aikins scored on two straight power play chances within a span of 2:24.

Mangos’ goal from Jeff Kyrzakos and Limpright snuck through traffic from the point at 10:32 to tie the game. Aikins backhanded a pass from Kevin Young into the net from just in front to give the Mudbugs a 2-1 lead moments later. The ‘Bugs built on their lead in the middle frame, netting another pair of goals. David Pszenyczny picked up a rebound and fired past Whitney into open net at 9:46 making it 3-1. Limpright added his first goal just two-seconds before the period ended, taking a pass from Brett Smith and sending home a slapshot through a screen to make it 4-1. Judd Blackwater pulled the Americans back within two goals at 6:55 of the third, knocking in a feed from Colton Yellow Horn past goalie John DeCaro. 35-seconds after Limpright’s short-handed marker, the duo traded places with Blackwater assisting Yellow Horn on a overplay goal at 12:58 to make the score 5-3. Jarret Lukin closed out the scoring on a power play goal at 17:30 for the Americans, cutting the deficit to one. Americans coach Dwight Mullins then pulled Whitley for an extra attacker, but Allen failed to score in the final 1:21. The week got off to a rocky start for the Mudbugs when on Sunday evening, a report surfaced in the Shreveport Times. The article, written by Roy Lang III said that the Mudbugs were in danger of losing home games in the series due to a scheduling conflict with the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City. After waiting six days, the Shreveport Times reported that the city, team and building management had reached an agreement. Rather than a usual 2-2-1-1-1 format, the Mudbugs lost one home game but have been guaranteed that they will host game four and game five if necessary – giving Allen a rare fifth home game in the series. The ‘Bugs must win at least one more game at the Allen Event Center if they hope to clinch the series on home ice. Game two is scheduled for a 6 p.m. CST start on Sunday in Allen. Contact the writer at john.hall@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at chip.crail@prohockeynews.com