RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs bounced back on Sunday night before 4,150 fans at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Arena to defeat the Rapid City Rush 4-3 and even the Central Hockey League’s Northern Conference Final at one game apiece. 
Goalie Parker Van Buskirk, who was signed as an emergency backup on March 30th, stopped 26 Rapid City shots while forward Joe Blaznek paced the Bossier-Shreveport offense with three assists. The Rush found the net at 8:03 of the first period. Skating with a five-on-three advantage, Jamie VanderVeeken fed Scott Wray, who knocked the puck past Van Buskirk for his team-leading fifth playoff goal. Brendon Hodge picked up the secondary assist on Wray’s goal that was Rapid City’s first power play goal in three games. The Mudbugs took charge late in the opening period, scoring two power play goals 31 seconds apart. Justin Aikens struck at 16:46 after collecting the rebound of a Blaznek shot and sending it past Rush net minder Danny Battochio. Simon Mangos then sailed home a wrist shot through traffic at 17:17 as the ‘Bugs entered the locker room with a 2-1 advantage at the end of the period. The second period belonged to Bossier-Shreveport, as they added two even-strength goals while out-shooting Rapid City 10-7. David Rutherford bounced a backhanded shot off of Battochio’s arm and into the net at 9:24 with Blaznek earning his third assist of the night. Battochio would be removed from action after Jamie Milam slammed a slap shot into the net at 15:03. The four unanswered Mudbugs goals gave them a 4-1 edge heading into the final frame. Miguel Beaudry was solid in relief of Battochio, stopping all 10 Bossier-Shreveport shots in the final 25 minutes of play. Rapid City may have been down, but they refused to give up in the third period. Les Reaney scored unassisted at 5:03 when he crashed Van Buskirk and the puck trickled past him into the net. Blaine Jarvis cut the Mudbug lead to one when he backhanded a shot under Van buskirk on a pass from Wray at 17:25. The Rush continued their last period push, out-shooting the Mudbugs 10-6. However, the ‘Bugs defense held strong and denied the tying goal. The series now shifts to the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, LA. For the next three games. Game three is scheduled for Wednesday, April 14th at 7:05 p.m. Contact the author at john.hall@prohockeynews.com
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