Eagles Net Another One-Goal Win Over 'Bugs

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles defeated the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, 5-4, in overtime, bringing the Eagles their ninth straight win over the 'Bugs (including their playoff sweep last year). The Mudbugs forced overtime with a goal in the final minute before Ryan McLeod ended the affair with an overtime tally, marking his second game-winning goal in as many nights against Bossier-Shreveport.

The Eagles got out to a quick two-goal lead, both courtesy of Adam Hogg. The third-line center got the first just 36 seconds in with a laser, top shelf from the left faceoff dot. The second came from a similar spot, but with an opposite shot as Hogg beat Ken Carroll low at 3:10. Jay Birnie made the goal possible with a nifty entry into the offensive zone along the right wing moments earlier.

The two teams then traded power-play goals midway through the opening frame. Mark Johnson got the Mudbugs on the board at 8:49 by knocking in a rebound from the right side of the slot. Bossier-Shreveport then had a goal waived off at 11:43 when referee Peter Friesema ruled that it was kicked past Mike Mole.

The Eagles got an ensuing power play when Mudbugs Head Coach Scott Muscutt was assessed a bench minor for debating the ruling, and Jim Jackson put the home team up 3-1 with a goal on the man-advantage when the defenseman chipped home a backhander from the left side of the crease.

But the Mudbugs made it 3-2 with a goal at 15:25 when Justin Aikins sent a short feed from the left side of the crease to an uncovered David Rutherford at the opposite side of the paint for an easy tap-in.

Each club scored a goal in the second period to enter the third frame 4-3 in favor of the Eagles. Jackson got his second goal of the game at 11:19 when Brett Lutes whiffed on a McLeod pass into the high slot and the disc ended up on the defenseman's stick low in the right circle.

The 'Bugs answered just under three minutes later after a turnover at the blue line led to a rush into the Eagles' defensive zone. Several players converged at the net and Aikins was able to chip the puck past Mole on the third whack by a Mudbugs player.

Both squads played solid defense in the third period and the game looked like it would end 4-3 before the 'Bugs struck to tie it up with an extra attacker in the final minute. Mark Johnson forced overtime when his shot from the right hash marks made its way through a slew of bodies in front of the Eagles' net with 35.8 seconds remaining in regulation.

Jackson ended his three-point night by circling behind the 'Bugs net with the puck and sending a pass across the slot to McLeod at the left dot. The forward took his time and placed the puck inside the far post to secure the second point for the Eagles 2:04 into the overtime frame.