LOVELAND, Colo. – With an opportunity to win their first championship in a decade, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs’ hopes were crushed as the Colorado Eagles showed the depth of their lines with an 8-1 victory to force a deciding Game 7 showdown in the Ray Miron President’s Cup finals. 
Steven Crampton managed the only tally for the Mudbugs in an otherwise forgettable performance by the visiting team. A Jamie Milam tally was disallowed after it was ruled that the puck was kicked into the net. Colorado Rookie Adam Chorneyko’s hat trick highlighted the offensive juggernaut which included two scores from Scott May and additional tallies by Aaron Schneekloth, Kevin Ulanski and Daymen Rycroft. Ryan Munce allowed three goals on seven shots before being replaced in net by John DeCaro, who allowed five goals on 16 shots faced in relief. The Eagles’ Kyle Jones on the other hand, was perfect for over 32 minutes before allowing the Mudbugs only goal of the night. Jones ended the evening with 24 saves on 25 shots faced for his fifth win of the post-season. After a hooking minor was called on the Mudbugs’ David Pszenyczny 1:30 into the first period, Scott May put the first point on the scoreboard with the first shot of the game 71 seconds later. Aaron Schneekloth followed at 14:40, cutting into the slot and beating Ryan Munce with a shot that went over his right shoulder. Kevin Ulanski’s shorthanded tally just over two minutes later marked the end of the night for Munce, who was replaced by John DeCaro as Bossier-Shreveport trailed 3-0 after one. Adam Chorneyko scored another power play goal early in the second that was followed by Daymen Rycroft’s tip-in of a Jason Beatty shot from the point to make it 5-0. The game then turned ugly as the teams combined for 45 total penalty minutes in the middle period. After officials ruled that Milam illegally deflected a Shawn Limpright pass into the net with his skate, Steven Crampton finally got the Mudbugs on the board with a rebound goal off a backhand shot from Brett Smith at the 12:32 mark. With the game firmly in hand, Colorado extended the lead in the third with goals from Chorneyko and May before Chorneyko completed the hat trick with just 1:30 left in the contest. The Eagles’ special teams scored two power play goals on four chances, adding a short-handed tally while holding the ‘Bugs scoreless on five opportunities. The deciding Game 7 will take place at the Budweiser Events Center on Friday night with the opening puck drop at 7:05 pm MST. Contact the writer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
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