LOVELAND, Colo. – Eagles rookie Matt Glasser snuck one past John DeCaro to give his team a 3-2 overtime win over the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in Game 1 of the Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals Friday night at the Budweiser Events Center. 
The win placed the Mudbugs in a 1-0 deficit in the best-of-seven series heading into tonight’s Game 2 at 7:05 pm MST. The Mudbugs were able to come back from two separate one-goal deficits to force overtime in the contest and strong special teams play managed to keep the Eagles off the board on five power play opportunities while converting one of seven of their own.
There was no scoring in the first 20 minutes as the two squads felt each other out as the Mudbugs and Eagles faced off for the first time since early January. Bossier-Shreveport had a 9-6 shot advantage and each team missed on one power play chance as the game stayed scoreless going into the first break.
John DeCaro and Jeff Kryzakos
The Eagles went up 3-1 early in the third as Nelson re-directed a Kevin Ulanski shot into the top corner of DeCaro’s net for his second tally of the game at 5:24. The lead held for the remainder of the period with Bossier-Shreveport ahead in shot 10-6 but trailing by one after 40 minutes. David Rutherford scored the equalizer late in the third frame after he crossed the Colorado blueline and sent a rocket over Jones’ right shoulder
with just 3:20 remaining in regulation. The Mudbugs had a narrow 9-8 shot advantage but were unable to score again and the game went into overtime.
DeCaro and Clay Plume defend with Brett Thurston at the gate
Bossier-Shreveport generated a number of great chances early in the extra period, but couldn’t beat Jones and end the game. Then, as Colorado put on the after-burners, rookie forward Matt Glasser received a pass in the high slot and had time to set up and beat DeCaro with a glove-side slap shot to end the game. Suffice it to say, the home crowd went wild after the former Denver University Pioneer struck pay dirt, sending the visitors to the locker room.
John DeCaro (9-3) finished with 25 saves in the game, while the Eagles’ Kyle Jones (4-3) turned aside 29 shots. Bossier-Shreveport out shot Colorado 31-28 in the contest.
The ‘Bugs look to even the series at one game apiece tonight before heading home to host Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City. Contact the writer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com
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