The 2005-2006 Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals begin tonight as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs visit the Laredo Bucks in Game 1, exactly two years to the day that the Bucks claimed a Game 7 overtime victory over the Mudbugs to capture their first CHL title. All Finals games are available live on CHLTV.com.

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The Finals likely will come down to how well Bossier-Shreveport’s outstanding defense handles Laredo’s high powered offense. In 10 games this post-season, the Mudbugs have allowed two or less goals against eight times (allowing four goals to Wichita in a 7-4 clinching Game 5 win and three goals to Colorado in a 3-2 double overtime Game 1 loss), while Laredo has scored three goals or more in 10 of their 11 contests, including scoring a playoff high nine goals while cruising to a Game 5 win over Rio Grande Valley in the opening round.

Bossier-Shreveport enters the Finals with a rigid and stingy defense, ranking first in the playoffs and averaging just 1.70 goals against per game, more than half a goal per game better than Laredo’s second ranked mark of 2.27.

Laredo begins the Finals with the CHL’s most potent attack, averaging 4.27 goals for per game to easily lead the post-season, and more than a full goal ahead of Bossier-Shreveport, third at 3.20.

With the history of Laredo’s well documented (and controversial) Finals win two years ago, both clubs will be challenged to keep their emotions in check and focus on continuing to play their style of hockey. The teams will take to the ice tonight under the watch of Referee Frederick L’Ecuyer, assigned to work the Finals opener along with linesman Chris Libett and Scott Ferguson. Both clubs will look to play a physical and aggressive style while trying to avoid the penalty box and unnecessary power play chances for the opposition.

Laredo’s power play has been lethal in the playoffs, clicking on 16 of 58 (27.59%) of their chances, while Bossier-Shreveport’s second ranked penalty killing unit (85.92) has allowed 10 of their 17 goals against while shorthanded. The Mudbugs power play ranks second (19.44%), with the Bucks top ranked penalty kill unit ranked first (93.44).

Rookie goaltenders David Cacciola (Bossier-Shreveport) and Dov Grumet-Morris are expected to get the call in net tonight, with both first year pros performing admirably to date in the post-season.