Mudbugs take 3-0 series lead

BOSSIER CITY, La. – The third-seeded Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs struck first and never looked back as they defeated the second-seeded Colorado Eagles at the CenturyTel Center Tuesday night by a score of 3-1. The win puts the Mudbugs within one game of reaching the Central Hockey League Northern Conference Finals as they now lead the semi-final series 3-0. Travis Clayton’s power play goal from Jeff Kyrzakos and Jamie Milam at 19:37 of the first period gave Bossier-Shreveport the advantage heading into the first intermission. The Mudbugs would hold a slight lead in shots on goal over the Eagles, heading into the dressing room at 9-6. Clayton struck again at 2:44 of the second, beating Eagles goalie Mike Mole to expand the lead to 2-0. Clayton was assisted by Chris St Croix and Limpright on what was his ninth goal in nine playoff games dating back to last year’s playoffs. Mudbugs net minder Ken Carroll stopped 11 Eagle’s shots in the middle frame while defenseman David Pszenyczny took a feed from Clayton at 11:38 to give the ‘Bugs a 3-0 lead. Carroll crept ever closer to his seventh career playoff shutout, before Colorado’s Riley Nelson scored at 19:03 of the third to pull the Eagles within two goals. Ryan Tobler and Ed McGrane assisted on Nelson’s tally that was scored after Mole was pulled with 1:40 remaining to bring on an extra attacker. The crucial win marks the first time the Mudbugs have led a playoff series 3-0 since the 2001 Western Professional Hockey League Conference Finals against the Austin Icebats. That season the Mudbugs went on to win a championship. Carroll also reached a milestone in his storied career, as the win marked his 30th career playoff victory. Even Mudbugs broadcaster Travis Huntington expressed his surprise at the underdog Mudbugs’ big lead over the three-time defending Northern Conference champion Eagles. “Even I wouldn’t have thought the Mudbugs would be up three games to none on the Eagles,” Huntington said during his call of the action on Tuesday night. The series now comes down to a potential deciding Game Four on Thursday night at the CenturyTel Center. Colorado definitely has their backs to the wall in the series, as no team in CHL history has ever overcame an 0-3 playoff series deficit.

Contact the author at john.hall@prohockeynews.com