Mudbugs Extend Streak in 3-2 Victory
 
YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs won their 14th consecutive game Friday night at the Chevrolet Centre, knocking off Youngstown by a final score of 3-2.  The win puts the Mudbugs just one win away from tying the all-time CHL record of 15 wins in a row and extends their lead over Youngstown to nine points.

Chris Brassard’s powerplay goal with just 1:13 left in a tie game provided the winning margin, and John DeCaro made 38 saves as the Mudbugs were outshot 40-18 in the contest.

Brett Smith started the scoring for Bossier-Shreveport, beating Andy Franck top shelf on a breakaway after a nice lead pass from Brassard.  The four-on-four goal made it 1-0 ‘Bugs just 2:05 into the contest.  A few minutes later, the Mudbugs added to the lead on the powerplay.  When Tyrel Lucas set up Joe Ori on a give-and-go into the zone, Ori returned the puck to Lucas in the slot, who buried it past Franck for his 14th of the year and a 2-0 Bossier-Shreveport lead after the first 20 minutes.

The tables turned a bit in the second period, with Youngstown carrying the play for much of the frame and outshooting the Mudbugs 19-2.  Bossier-Shreveport didn’t get a shot on goal for the first 16 minutes of the second period.  Youngstown then made good on a powerplay when Joel Irving found the back of the net on a rebound in front of John DeCaro to get Youngstown back within one after two.

Into the third period of play, Youngstown continued to pressure the Mudbugs and then tied the contest up.  Just after a great Mudbugs scoring chance, the SteelHounds went the other way and Kirill Starkov scored to tie the game at two.  John DeCaro made a number of great saves as the third period wore on to preserve the tie.  Then after Justin Aikins and Kevin Cooper drew a Youngstown penalty, Brassard got the powerplay winner.  With the puck along the boards to Franck’s right, Brassard fired a slapshot that got through the All-Star goalie with just 1:13 remaining in regulation for his team-leading 16th goal this season.  The SteelHounds couldn’t get the equalizer with the net empty and Bossier-Shreveport beat Youngstown for the fifth time in a row.

Six consecutive road victories is now just one off the franchise long road winning streak of seven in a row as well.  The Mudbugs penalty killing unit was pivotal in the contest, holding the SteelHounds off the scoreboard in eight chances.

Coming up on Saturday night, it will be same teams, same time, same place.  The ‘Bugs and ‘Hounds will battle in the second of their three consecutive games tomorrow at 6:05 Central time.  Bossier-Shreveport will look to tie the CHL record winning streak in this one, and our pre-game coverage will start at 5:45 pm Central time on 1130 AM KWKH.  The game will also be shown live on the CHL Network.