Mudbugs unable to stop Eagles’ third period rally

BOSSIER CITY, La. – The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs led 2-0 after two periods but couldn’t hold on in 4-2 loss to the Colorado Eagles in Game 3 of the Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup Finals Tuesday night at the CenturyTel Center. Colorado now leads the CHL’s Championship series 2-1 with Game 4 coming up Thursday night at the CenturyTel Center.

Justin Aikins and Nick Layton scored goals in the first two periods as Bossier-Shreveport entered the third with a 2-0 advantage, a scenario in which the team was 9-0 in the playoffs. The Eagles rattled off three unanswered goals however, including two from Kevin Ulanski, before a late empty-netter sealed the win. John DeCaro made 27 saves and had a shutout going for nearly 48 minutes before the late Colorado charge.

DeCaro was the story of the first period, making 14 saves as the Eagles came in waves to start to the contest. Colorado had the first eight shots of the game, including an impressive point-blank chance for Scott May that DeCaro stopped with his glove.

The ‘Bugs then broke through with power play goal on their first shot of the game when David Rutherford skated down the right wing and fed a cross-ice pass to Justin Aikins, who cut across the crease and deposited a backhander behind Andrew Penner at 11:35. Despite being out shot 14-4, Bossier-Shreveport led 1-0 after one.

Bossier-Shreveport tightened up in the second period, allowing only six shots to the Eagles while getting eight of their own. Both teams failed to convert on one power play apiece before the ‘Bugs extended their lead late in the period. Shawn Limpright helped create a neutral zone turnover to spring a 2-on-1 break with Rutherford and Layton, who raced in from the blueline before beating Penner with a quick wrister inside the far post at 17:49 of the second.

After a few key saves from Penner, Colorado roared back starting with Jason Beatty’s booming slapshot that got the visitors on the board eight minutes into the third. Ulanski’s first goal then came on a power play rebound three minutes later to knot the score at two. After the ‘Bugs missed on another power play chance and with just 2:35 left in regulation, Ulanski buried a Riley Nelson feed during a 2-on-1 break to put the Eagles ahead to stay. Dan Sullivan’s empty-netter sewed up the 4-2 Colorado win with 34 seconds left.

John DeCaro (10-4) lost for just the fourth time in the post-season despite a number of quality saves as the ‘Bugs were out shot 31-19. Andrew Penner (8-2) stopped 17 shots in the win. Bossier-Shreveport finished 1 for 5 on the power play, while Colorado was 1 for 4.

The Mudbugs will now be looking to even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece when they host Game 4 on Thursday at the CenturyTel Center, with Game 5 following on Friday.