Mudbugs return to NYTEX on Friday night for Game three of I-20 series

Series tied 1-1, rivalry remains strong

The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs return to North Richland Hills on Friday for the third of ten meetings with the Texas Brahmas this season. The series is tied at one game apiece with the Bugs winning 5-1 on opening night at CenturyTel Center and the Brahmas winning 3-2 last Sunday at the NYTEX Sports Centre.

After Sunday’s penalty-rich contest, both teams are ready for a re-match. And so are the fans. Verbal sparring this week on the message boards have nearly matched the level of intensity displayed by both teams on Sunday. Suffice it to say, Brahmas fans are ready for battle, whether we see another slugfest or not.

"I don't know how many fights you're going to see in this (Texas) rivalry. There should be more,” Mudbugs assistant coach Trevor Buchanan told the Shreveport Times' Kelly Morris.

"It would cut out all the crap. It takes out the sticks and the dumb stuff. The whole night (Sunday) was just full of stick work on both sides. One team would give a cheap shot then the other team would give a cheap shot back. If you get two teams that are willing to fight that stuff doesn't happen," Buchanan said.

The 5-3-1 Brahmas haven’t played since Sunday giving them plenty of time to prepare. Fans are waiting to see who may show up on the roster on Friday. Defenseman Ryan Waldner and forward Ryan Fuller were both put on waivers this week. With only five defensemen on the roster as of Thursday, the expectation is for a new D man to play on Friday.

The Mudbugs battled the Mississippi RiverKings at home on Wednesday, starting out strong with a 3-1 lead to close the first period. The RiverKings came back in the second with back-to-back goals to tie the game up. The game looked like it might go into overtime when Mudbug J.J. Martin scored on a powerplay with 35 seconds remaining in regulation. The Mudbugs are now 8-2-0 on the season.

The Mudbugs have had a well-balanced offensive attack this season with six players averaging over a point per game. Forward Kevin Cooper leads the team in scoring with 14 points (6 G, 8 A) thus far. 17 of the 18 skaters on Bossier-Shreveport's roster have recorded at least one point this season. The ‘Bugs signed center Alexander Hult this week. Hult played in Sweden last season, scoring six points (2 G, 4 A) in 37 games played. He had an assist on Wednesday night.

On special teams, the Mudbugs have a slight advantage with 25% success on the power play (2nd in the league) and an 86.84% penalty-kill (5th in the league). The Brahmas have a 23.29% power play (3rd in the league) and a 80.28% penalty kill (9th in the league). It was the bulls' powerplay that won the game on Sunday with all three goals coming on the man-advantage.

Mudbugs goaltender Ryan Mior is ranked third in the league with a 2.22 GAA and seventh with a .917 save percentage. He has a 4-2-0 record. Brahmas goalie Brett Jeager is listed as ninth in the league with a 2.64 GAA and eighth with a .915 save percentage. His record is 4-1-1.

The Brahmas, the only Central Hockey League team that had a winning record against the Bugs in regular-season play last year, are looking to build on that success this season. Regardless of the outcome of Friday's game, fans are sure to enjoy an exciting contest. The game starts at 7:05pm and will be broadcast on Nifty-TV.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith