'Bugs Win Game 3, Lead Series 3-0
 
BOSSIER CITY, LA – Travis Clayton and Shawn Limpright each finished with a goal and an assist as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs defeated the Colorado Eagles 3-1 to take a 3-0 series lead in the Northern Conference Semifinals Tuesday night at the CenturyTel Center.  The Mudbugs will now have a chance to sweep the series Thursday night in Game 4 and advance to the Northern Conference Finals.
 
Ken Carroll stopped 24 of 25 shots as the ‘Bugs shut out Colorado until the final minute of regulation, killing off all five Eagles’ powerplays along the way.  Dave Pszenyczny also scored for the third consecutive game to help Bossier-Shreveport built its first 3-0 series lead since the 2001 postseason.
 
Both teams had a few near-misses in a back-and-forth first period in which the ‘Bugs held a 9-6 shot advantage.  On a late powerplay opportunity, Jamie Milam’s point shot was deflected on its way through and Limpright knocked in the loose puck on the doorstep to give the Mudbugs a 1-0 advantage with just 22 seconds left in the period.
 
Early in the second frame, Clayton redirected a long wrist shot by Chris St. Croix, sending it past Colorado netminder Mike Mole to make it a 2-0 Mudbugs lead.  Pszenyczny extended the lead to 3-0 at 11:38, joining a rush as he exited the penalty box and getting a pass from Clayton before beating Mole on the stick side.  The ‘Bugs also killed three Eagles powerplays in the middle period to take a three-goal lead into the locker room.
 
Colorado outshot Bossier-Shreveport 8-2 in the third period, but couldn’t find the back of the net until Riley Nelson scored with 57 seconds left to break up Carroll’s shutout bid and provide the final 3-1 margin.
 
Carroll is now 30-21 in his Mudbugs playoff career after his second win of the series, while Mike Mole made 17 saves and took the loss in his first action of these playoffs.  Bossier-Shreveport converted 1 of 5 powerplay chances while being outshot 25-20 for the game.
 
The series will now continue Thursday night with Game 4 as the Mudbugs try to complete the four-game sweep and advance to the third round of the CHL playoffs.  Opening faceoff is set for 7:05 pm, presented by Willis-Knighton Sports Medicine.
 
Special group ticket packages and Mudbugs single game playoff tickets are on sale now. For more information, call the team office at 752-BUGS or visit www.mudbugshockey.com.  Individual tickets to all Mudbugs home games are available at the CenturyTel Center main box office, through Ticketmaster at (318) 741-9700 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.