LOVELAND, Colo – The opening game of the Northern Conference Playoffs between the Colorado Eagles and the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs can really be divided into two distinct parts.
The first part is where the Eagles fought hard skated well scored three goals in the first two periods while the Mudbugs skated equally well and had more shots but Eagles goalie, Andrew Penner, came up strong.
In a three minute span in the third period though the Mudbugs scored two power play goals and one shorthanded goal to forge a tie that led to a Mudbugs win 42 seconds into overtime.
Colorado’s first goal came early in the first period when Jim Jackson powered one by Mudbugs goalie John DeCaro with help from Brett Lutes.
Riley Nelson slipped another one past DeCaro on the Power Play at the 5:34 mark of the second period. Assists went to Aaron Schneekloth and Kevin Ulanski.
Jim Jackson’s pass led to a pretty goal under the crossbar from Ed McGrane at 13:55 into the second frame.
That was it for the Eagles scoring as the next 4 goals went to the Mudbugs.
Bossier-Shreveport started the turn around when a 4 minute high sticking minor was called on Adam Hogg at 7:11 into the third period.
Shawn Limpright assisted by Jeff Kyzrakos and Chris St. Croix stuffed one in past Penner less than a minute into the Power Play.
A minute later Tyrel Lucas scored with St. Croix and Blaznek assisting to bring the Bugs back within one goal.
Jamie Milam was called for interference at 10:32, putting the Eagles on a Power Play but it was the Bugs who scored the short handed equalizer at the 11:11 mark of period three. David Pszenyczny scored the even up goal with assistance from Brett Smith and Simon Mangos.
Both teams worked hard to get the game winner in the remaining regulation time. At the buzzer they were still tied at three.
It only took the Bossier-Shreveport team 42 seconds to score the game winner as Joe Blaznek stole an errant pass and went in alone on Penner to record the unassisted goal.
Coach Scott Muscutt had this to say about the Bossier- Shreveport Mudbugs dramatic turn around in the game; “It’s playoff hockey – teams work hard to get a break here and a break there. We were fortunate to get out of here with the win and will try to get better for tomorrow night.”
The Colorado Eagles and Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs play game two at 7:05 P.M. on Saturday March 27, 2010 at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo.
Story and Photographs by Terry Sanford
Contact the author at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.