OT Goal by Joe Blaznek cap Game 1 Comeback

From the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Website: www.mudbugshockey.com

Joe Blaznek scored just 42 seconds into OT to complete the a furious rally and lift the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Eagles in Game 1 of the Northern Conference Semifinals Friday Night at the Budweiser Events Center. The Mudbugs hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series after winning game 1 for the first time in the last 8 playoff series.

Bossier-Shreveport trailed 3-0 entering the third period, but scored three times in a span of just 3 minutes to tie it up and force the OT Session. Blaznek then ended the game in the first minute of the extra session to give the Bugs 1-0 playoff series for the first time since the 2006 their opening series in the 2006 playoffs.

The Mudbugs got off to a great start in the opening period, out-shooting the Eagles 14-6 and generating a few good scoring chances. Colorado did take a 1-0 lead into the locker room though as Jim Jackson's long shot from the wing bounced off John Decarlo's arm and then off the post before finding the net at 2:14 of the first period.

The 2nd period brought more of the same with Bossie-Shreveport skating to a 12-9 shot advantage but still unable to solve Andrew Penner. The Eagles scored twice more in the 2nd period, going up 2-0 when Decarlo stopped Riley Nelson shot from the left circle only to see the rebound bounce off a skate and into the net at 5:34. Later in the period when Ed Mcgrane broke down the left wing and fired a shot into the top corner to extend the lead to 3-0 for Colorado after 40 minutes.

The Bugs then stormed back in the third starting when Adam Hogg was whistled on a four-minute double minor for high sticking. Shawn Limpright started the scoring at 8:10, redirecting a Jeff Kyrzakos shot past Penner to get the Mudbugs on the board. On the 2nd half of the double-minor, Tyrel Lucas got a pass from Chris St. Croix and beat Penner from the bottom of the circle to make it 3-2.

With Colorado on the Power Play just over a minute later, Brett Smith created a shorthanded 2 on 1 break and found David Pszenyczny, who buried the game-tying goal at 11:11. Decarlo made a number of big saves in the third preserve the tie and force OT.

In the first minute of OT, Colorado turned the puck over in their own zone and Blaznek jumped on it, roofing a hard wrister top-corner over Penner's glove to give Bossier-Shreveport the 4-3 win.

John Decarlo stopped 20 shots in the game as the Mudbugs out-shot the Eagles 37-23. Andrew Penner made 33 saves in his first-ever loss to the Bugs. Bossier-Shreveport converted 2 of 7 powerplay chances, while Colorado finished 1 for 4.

The Bugs will now look to take a 2-0 series' lead tomorrow night in Game 2 at the Budweiser Event Center. Opening face off is once again at set for 8:05 PM Central Time with radio coverage starting at 7:45 PM on AM 1130 KWKH. The game will also be shown live online on CHL-TV.


Bossier-Shreveport Leads Series 1-0.

Bossier-Shreveport VS. Colorado Boxscore


@ Budweiser Events Center

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 4 Colorado Eagles 3 (OT) (0-1, 0-2, 3-0, 1-0)

0-1 COL: Jim Jackson (Lutes) 2:14 1st

0-2 COL: Riley Nelson (PP) (Schneekloth, Ulanski) 5:34 2nd

0-3 COL: Ed Mcgrane (Jackson) 13:55 2nd

1-3 BOS: Shawn limpright (PP) (Kyrzakos, St. Croix) 8:10 3rd

2-3 BOS: Travis Clayton (PP) (Lucas, St. Croix) 10:06 3rd

3-3 BOS: David Pszenyczny (SH) (Smith, Mangos) 11:11 3rd

3-4 BOS: Joe Blaznek (Unassisted) 0:42 OT


Game Stats

SOG: BOS 37 COL 23

PP: BOS 2/7 COL 1/7

PIM: BOS 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties COL 14 Minutes on 7 Penalties

Goalies: BOS John Decarlo 20 SVS on 23 Shots COL Andrew Penner 33 SVS on 37 Shots

ATT: 5289

3rd Star: Jeff Kyrzakos (BOS)

2nd Star: Jim Jackson (COL)

1st Star: Joe Blaznek (BOS)