The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, with a 4-1 win at Wichita Friday evening in Game Four of the Northern Conference Finals, are a win away from advancing to the 2003/2004 Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals. In the Southern Conference, the Laredo Bucks have evened up their best of seven Southern Conference Finals series at 2 games each with the Amarillo Gorillas following a 4-1 win Friday in Amarillo. The Mudbugs can close out their series with Wichita with a victory Saturday at the CenturyTel Center, where Bossier-Shreveport is a perfect 5-0 in the post-season this year. The Bucks win guarantees a return to Laredo for Game Six Tuesday, regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s Game Five in Amarillo.


Game 4 Boxscore: Bossier-Shreveport 4 @ Wichita 1
Bossier-Shreveport Leads Northern Conference Finals 3-1

The Mudbugs got back on track following perhaps their poorest outing of the post-season in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss at Wichita, scoring the first three goals of the game and cruising to a 4-1 win over Wichita despite being outshot by a 44-23 margin. Mudbug goaltender Ken Carroll was the difference in Game Four, making 43 saves while the Thunder’s Nathan Grobins allowed four goals on 23 shots. Mudbugs Ryan Manitowich and Dan Wildfong opened the scoring in the second period following a scoreless first frame, and David Oliver’s first goal of the playoffs widened the lead to 3-0 midway through the third period. Rico Fatticci replied shortly thereafter for the Thunder, but that’s as close as they would come as Trevor Buchanan rounded out the scoring with just under five minutes to play. Carroll was superb particularly in the second period, stopping all 21 Wichita shots. The Thunder will now need to win three consecutive games (Saturday in Bossier-Shreveport, Monday in Wichita and Wednesday in Bossier-Shreveport) in order to advance to the Conference Finals. The Mudbugs would like nothing more than to close out the series on home ice Saturday, get some needed rest and await the completion of the Southern Conference Finals.


Game 4 Boxscore: Laredo 4 @ Amarillo 1
Southern Conference Finals Tied 2-2

After arguably their worst game of the playoffs, the Laredo Bucks came back with a quality road effort Friday evening in a 4-1 win in Amarillo to even the Southern Conference Finals at 2 games each. Amarillo opened the scoring 2:57 into the second period on a goal by Jason Reesor, but the Bucks fired in the remaining four goals of the game, outshooting Amarillo 43-18 in the contest. Chris Grenville, Aaron Starr, Max Birbraer and Jeff Bes handled the scoring, guaranteeing a Game Six Tuesday in Laredo. While Amarillo goaltender Shawn Degagne was stellar in the last two games, he was average Friday, allowing four goals while facing a heavy barrage all evening. Rookie David Guerrera was solid in the Laredo net, making 17 saves to pick up his third win of the playoffs. Saturday’s Game Five in Amarillo will determine who has an opportunity Tuesday in Laredo to close out the series and advance to the Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals.