Powerplay Leads 'Bugs to Comeback Victory
BOSSIER CITY, LA - Elias Godoy scored the game-winning goal with just 52 seconds remaining as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs rallied from 3-0 down and scored four powerplay goals to defeat Corpus Christi 5-4 on Thursday night at CenturyTel Center. Godoy and Chris Brassard each had two goals on the night as the Mudbugs won for the 37th time this year. After falling behind 3-0 early on, the ‘Bugs rallied to tie the game twice and ultimately earned the win, scoring four times on the powerplay for the first time this year.
Corpus Christi came out early in the contest and took advantage of Mudbug mistakes to go up 3-0 midway through the opening period. Joe Blaznek scored on a backhand shot to the top shelf after a defensive zone turnover by Bossier-Shreveport to open the scoring for the Rayz. It was 2-0 after Justin Quenneville hit Jay Latulippe for a goal on a 2-on-1 break. Quenneville again found Latulippe in front of the net for his second goal of the night on the redirection to give Corpus Christi a 3-0 margin less than halfway into the first period. It was the first time this year the Mudbugs have surrendered three goals in the first period. Bossier-Shreveport struck back with a goal of its own late in the period though, converting with just 3:02 remaining. Kevin Cooper fed the puck from behind the net to Godoy, who roofed one inside the far post to make it 3-1 Rayz after the first period.
Bossier-Shreveport continued gaining ground in the second period, putting 22 shots on net (compared with just two for the Rayz) and scoring twice on the powerplay. Chris Brassard found the twine on a snapshot from along the boards at 14:20 to cut the Rayz’ lead to one. Then with just over a minute remaining in the second, Bossier-Shreveport found itself on a 5-on-3 powerplay, and Joe Ori converted with just 44 seconds left in the period to tie the game for the Mudbugs.
The game would stay tied at three throughout most of the third period until a Mudbugs powerplay chance with just over five minutes left. Quenneville made another big play, this time shorthanded, blocking a pass at the point and racing in on a breakaway to score his 18th of the year on John DeCaro and put the Rayz up 4-3 at 15:10. But exactly two minutes later, on another Bossier-Shreveport powerplay, Brassard ripped a slapshot from the top of the circle that found its way past Corpus Christi goaltender Kevin Couture to tie the game with his team leading 23rd goal of the season. It appeared we could be headed for overtime until the Rayz were called for two more penalties that put the ‘Bugs on another two-man advantage with just over a minute left in regulation. Godoy then made the play of the night for the Mudbugs, scoring on another great shot to the top shelf on Couture’s glove side with only 52 seconds remaining to provide the winning margin of 5-4 for Bossier-Shreveport.
The Mudbugs outshot Corpus Christi 51-18 in the contest, getting over 50 shots on goal for the fifth time this year. Bossier-Shreveport finished 4 for 12 on the powerplay, while the Rayz went 0 for 3 on the night. DeCaro stopped just 12 shots to earn his 21st victory of the season as the Mudbugs managed to surrender four goals and still win for just the second time this year.
Up next the ‘Bugs will travel to North Richland Hills, Texas to battle the Texas Brahmas for the eighth time this season. Texas lost 5-1 to the RiverKings on Thursday night in Mississippi . Friday night at 7:05 pm, the puck will drop between the two division rivals at the NyTex Sports Centre. The game can be heard on the radio on 1130 AM KWKH with pregame coverage starting at 6:45, and will also be shown live on the CHL Network online.
