Mudbugs hold off Eagles to win Ray Miron President’s Cup

LOVELAND, Colo – Two early first period goals was all the scoring Bossier- Shreveport needed for a 2-1 win in game 7 of the Ray Miron President’s Cup finals to earn the Central Hockey League championship.
In a game seven, anything can happen and it was a one and done scenario for the Central Hockey League’s top spot between the Colorado Eagles and the Bossier- Shreveport Mudbugs at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado Friday night.
One of the hallmarks of the Bossier- Shreveport team is their ability to hold a lead through a strong defensive style that limits their opponents scoring chances.
Up two goals to none, less than eight minutes into this game seven,  the Mudbugs managed to keep the Colorado Eagles off the scoreboard until 18:56 of the third period.
Steven Crampton got the scoring started for the ‘Bugs with a slapper from the high slot that he blasted past Eagles net minder Kyle Jones at 2:58 of the first period. Mudbugs captain Brett Smith set up the scoring chance.

Less than five minutes later, the ‘Bugs scored what would be the game-winner on a tenacious follow through of a shot Jones thought he had corralled. After a few extra pokes at the partially covered puck, Jeff Kyrzakos shoved it past the Eagles goalie for the 2-0 tally.
Bossier-Shreveport recorded 13 shots on goal to only 5 for Colorado in period one while the only two penalties called were on Daymen Rycroft of the Eagles.
After the first period scoring surge that gave them a two goal lead, the Mudbugs appeared to be content to sit back and depend on John DeCaro to keep the net clean while they played defense.
Although the Eagles out shot the Mudbugs 22-7 in the remaining 40 minutes, only one shot rippled the back of the twine behind DeCaro.
Skating with the extra attacker, CHL post-season scoring leader Adam Cherneyko erased the goose egg from the Eagles’ side of the scoreboard late in the third period with a shot through traffic that beat Decaro up high.
“Tough game; we definitely wanted a better fate. I thought we battled through it but it was just a little too late,” Chorneyko said. “I thought our guys played another hard game and we just got down two early and it’s just too bad.”
With 1:04 left in the 2010-11 playoff season, the Eagles battled for the game-tying goal but the smothering defense from Scott Muscutt’s team refused to give up an opportunity. As the buzzer sounded, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs celebrated their hard-fought 2-1 victory.
Steve Haddon, who led the team with four shots and was the Eagles only + player on the night reflected on the devastating loss. 
“I think we deserved a better fate – the guys worked really hard and sometimes the bounces didn’t go our way,” Haddon. “But tonight we just came up a little short. It’s a tough pill to swallow. It’s really hard.”
“Consider where we were this time last year; we’d been swept four straight in the first round, and now we go to the seventh game and we lost to a very good hockey club,” Eagles Coach Chris Stewart said. “That’s part of sports and that’s unfortunate, but you have to be proud. I am very proud of the effort these guys put forth this year. They got better as the season went on and the leadership from guys like Riley Nelson Aaron Schneekloth and Kevin Ulanski is exceptional you know; Jason Beatty also.”
Chances are good that the Colorado Eagles will “reload” again this off season because “nothing else matters” but the quest for a third Central Hockey League Championship.
Contact the writer/photographer at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com