LOVELAND, Colo – Joe Blaznek was the hero for the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs on Friday night at the Budweiser Events Center as his overtime goal capped a come from behind victory for the road team in the opening game of the Northern Conference Semi-finals. 
The Colorado Eagles enjoyed a 3-0 lead with less than ten minutes remaining in regulation, but the Mudbugs would score three unanswered goals to send the game into overtime. All three Bossier-Shreveport goals would come from special teams play. With Adam Hogg serving a four-minute double-minor for high sticking, Jeff Kryzakos would score at the 8:10 mark with assists going to Shawn Limpright and Chris St. Croix. Less than two minutes later, with Hogg still in the penalty box, St. Croix would feed Tyrel Lucas, who pulled the Mudbugs within one goal at the 10:06 mark. Just over a minute later, David Pszenyczny scored a short handed tally to tie the game at 3-3. Assists were credited to Brett Smith and Simon Mangos. Colorado wasted little time opening the game, jumping onto the scoreboard with a goal by Jim Jackson at the 2:14 mark of the first period. Brett Lutes was credited with the lone assist on what was the Eagles’ first shot on goal. The Eagles maintained the lead heading into the first intermission, despite being out shot by the Mudbugs 14-6 in the opening frame. Eagles goaltender Andrew Penner continued his stellar play through the second period, stopping 12 Bossier-Shreveport shots, while Colorado would add another pair of goals. Eagles captain Riley Nelson beat goalie John DeCaro on a power play at the 5:34 mark with helpers going to Aaron Schneekloth and Kevin Ulanski. Jackson would get his second point of the night at the 13:55 mark when he assisted on Ed McGrane’s goal. After a brief intermission following the improbable Mudbugs comeback, Blaznek would knock in an unassisted shot past Penner :42 into the extra period to clinch the victory. The two teams are meeting in the Northern Conference Semi-finals for the second straight season. Colorado won the series last year four games to none before being defeated four games to one by the Texas Brahmas in the Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals. Game two in the series is scheduled for a 7:05 pm MST start on Saturday at the Budweiser Events Center. The series then moves to Bossier City, La. on Tuesday.
Contact the author at john.hall@prohockeynews.com
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