Clayton Lifts Mudbugs to Comeback Win
 
BOSSIER CITY, LA – Travis Clayton scored two goals in the third period, including the game-winner with 2:03 remaining as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs came from behind to beat the Missouri Mavericks 3-2 on Saturday night at the CenturyTel Center. The Mudbugs are now back at .500 for the season at 8-8-0 after winning their third consecutive home game.
 
With the ‘Bugs trailing 2-1 in the third, Clayton scored twice in the final seven minutes to help snap a two-game losing streak for Bossier-Shreveport. Brett Smith tallied the other goal for the Mudbugs, who knocked off Missouri in the first ever meeting between the two clubs.
 
The opening frame served mostly as a feeling out period for both teams, with their combined shot total not reaching double-digits until the final minutes of the period. Missouri managed to tally the game’s first goal with only 32 seconds left as Jeff Christian knocked home a rebound chance to give the Mavericks a 1-0 advantage after one period.
 
The offense picked up for both clubs in the second with Missouri registering 19 shots on net and Bossier-Shreveport getting 14 in the period. The ‘Bugs tied the game when Brett Smith’s long shot snuck behind Alexandre Vincent and slid over the goal line, making it 1-1 at the 9:54 mark. The Mavericks re-took the lead at 15:32 as Mike Burgoyne’s backhander hit Ken Carroll and rolled over his shoulder to give Missouri a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes.
 
The Mudbugs came out strong in the final period, outshooting the Mavericks 15-3 and tying the game at two on Clayton’s first goal of the period. After a hard-working shift in the Missouri end, Clayton tapped in the rebound of Jeff Kyrzakos’ chance to draw the ‘Bugs even. Then after a high-sticking penalty put Bossier-Shreveport on a late powerplay, Clayton’s centering pass from the corner bounced off Vincent’s pads and into the net to give the Mudbugs a 3-2 lead with just 2:03 to go. Ken Carroll then fought off a late push by the Mavericks to complete the Mudbugs’ sixth one-goal victory of the season.
 
Carroll made 27 saves on the way to winning his third straight start and improving to 3-3-0 for the year. Alexandre Vincent stopped 34 shots in defeat for the Mavericks. Bossier-Shreveport outshot Missouri 37-29 and converted 1 of 5 powerplay chances, while Missouri finished 0 for 4.
 
Next for the Mudbugs will be their only meeting of the season with the Arizona Sundogs at 7:05 pm Tuesday night at the CenturyTel Center. The ‘Bugs will then finish up a three-game homestand Friday night against Amarillo. Group packages and mini-plans are available through the Mudbugs office at 752-BUGS, while individual tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster at 741-9700.