Mudbugs fall to Americans, 5-3

ALLEN, Texas – Bossier-Shreveport’s Jeff Kyrzakos netted two goals, but they would not be enough to overcome three second-period power play goals from Allen as the Americans defeated the Mudbugs 5-3 in front of 3,720 fans at the Allen Event Center on Sunday evening to tie the CHL Berry Conference Final at one game apiece. Kyrzakos’ goals came at key moments in the game, giving Bossier-Shreveport a 2-1 lead midway through the second period then pulling the Mudbugs back within one goal late in the third period. Allen’s power play unit was red-hot, connecting on three of four attempts – all three of which came during a two-minute span in the middle frame. Bossier-Shreveport’s power play unit had a more than fair chance, but only scored once on six chances.
The Mudbugs out shot the Americans 30-21 as John DeCaro fell to 6-2 on the post-season, stopping 11 shots before being replaced by Ryan Munce. Allen net minder Chris Whitley stopped 27 shots as he improved to 7-3 in the playoffs. Clay Plume put the Mudbugs on the board first, breaking up a scoreless tie 10:31 into the opening period. Plume beat Whitley stick side just after David Rutherford was released from the penalty box after serving a minor for holding. Rutherford and Justin Aikins picked up the assists. Allen’s Nino Musitelli evened things back up with his marker, assisted by Justin DaCosta, late in the same period. With 15-seconds remaining, Musitelli took a feed from DaCosta and drove a shot past DeCaro to make it 1-1. Kyrzakos regained the lead for the ‘Bugs 8:10 into the second period, knocking home a shot through traffic in front of the net. Simon Mangos and Travis Clayton were credited with assisting Kyrzakos on his first tally. Moments later however, Allen would take advantage of a Bossier-Shreveport penalty and shift the momentum into their favor. With Shawn Limpright serving a four-minute double-minor for high sticking, Allen cashed in with two power play goals just 1:29 apart.

Colton Yellow Horn beat DeCaro high to the glove side from the blue line at 13:14 to tie the game 2-2. Dave Bonk connected on a slapshot from the point at 14:43 putting the Americans up 3-2. Bruce Graham added a third power play goal 1:08 later to increase Allen’s lead to 4-2. Graham snuck a shot through DeCaro’s pads just 28-seconds after Nick Layton was whistled for tripping. The goal chased DeCaro, as Scott Muscutt brought in Munce to finish the game between the pipes.
Kyrzakos’ second goal, scored with an extra attacker with 2:02 remaining in the third, pulled the Mudbugs back within one goal before Yellow Horn iced the game with seven-seconds left on an empty-net goal. With the best-of-seven series now even at 1-1, the Mudbugs look to game three scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. face-off on Wednesday at the Allen Event Center. The game was originally planned to be a home game for the Mudbugs, but a scheduling conflict at the CenturyTel Center prevented the game from being played there. The Mudbugs will play their only two home games of this series on Friday, May 6th and Sunday, May 8th. Contact author at john.hall@prohockeynews.com Contact photographer at chip.crail@prohockeynews.com