With a 5-2 win over the visiting Laredo Bucks in what may be a preview of the 2003-2004 Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs are on the verge of clinching a playoff berth. With a single point earned in their last eight games, the Mudbugs will lock up a playoff slot, while four points would give them the Northeast Division title. The only was the Mudbugs could not qualify for the post-season at this point would be to lose all eight remaining games in regulation, and have the Wichita Thunder win their last seven games, including a head to head match-up March 13th in Bossier City.

Rookie Craig Soke was the hero Sunday, scoring his first professional hat-trick in the Mudbugs win against CHL-leading Laredo. The Mudbugs and Bucks have now split their first two meetings this season and will meet on Tuesday March 9th for the rubber match at the Laredo Entertainment Center. With the win, the Mudbugs improved their overall record to 38-14-4 while Laredo slips to 45-7-5. Both clubs scored twice on the power play, with the Mudbugs capitalizing on two of eight chances and the Bucks cashing in on two of thirteen chances. Goaltender Jeff Blair improved his record to 18-8-1 on the season, making 35 saves in the process. The loss snaps Laredo’s six game winning streak, although two more points would guarantee the Bucks home ice advantage throughout the CHL playoffs.

Elsewhere Sunday, the Wichita Thunder closed to within a single point of idle Indianapolis and Memphis for the third and fourth Northern Conference playoff berths with a 3-2 overtime win in Lubbock. Former Cotton King forward Joe Blaznek came back to haunt his former club, scoring the overtime winner 4:32 into the extra frame.

In Colorado, the Eagles closed in on capturing the Northwest Division crown with a 4-2 victory over visiting New Mexico. Greg Pankewicz notched the game winning goal and added an assist in the win, leaving the Eagles 12 points up on the Thunder with even games to play.

In Fort Worth, the Austin Ice Bats kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 shootout win over the Brahmas. Josh St. Louis recorded the game winner, leaving the ‘Bats 12 points behind Rio Grande Valley for the final Southern Conference playoff berth. Finally, in Corpus Christi, the Rayz snapped a five game home winless skid with a 5-2 win over Odessa. Jim Leger scored twice to give him five goals in his last three outings.

Monday, the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees host the San Angelo Saints in a rare 11:00 AM CST start. A Killer Bee win would guarantee at least a tie with Austin for a playoff berth.