Apr 21 2010
Mudbugs force a game seven with 2-0 shutout
Game 7’s can be the ultimate excitement in any series. This group of Mudbugs players have fought tooth and nail for every inch of ice surface no matter what the adversity. No matter what is thrown their way, they seem to find a way to work through and persevere.
Parker Van Buskirk is a great example of just that. He came in here with the explicit attitude of NOT playing like a backup of the team’s backup. But more like a starter on any team in the league. He said he wanted to be a “calming influence for the guys” and has done so and more.
With the Bossier Shreveport’s back against the wall, down 3 games to 2 in the series, it was time for a hero. It was time for a team full of heroes to get the job done or its the end. Van Buskirk stopped all 27 shots he faced for his 1st professional shutout. He was the hero in this game.
Tyrel Lucas scored the first Mudbugs goal at 5:07 of the 2nd period from newly acquired forward Adam Basford taking Shawn Limpright’s spot on the roster who was unable to play. The goal was his 2nd of the playoffs.
The Mudbugs opened up a 2-0 lead at 9:45 of the period as Brett Smith scored his 3rd of the playoffs from David Rutherford and Joe Ori. There would be no more scoring in the game as the Mudbugs held on to win game six 2-0. Shots on goal in the game were in favor of Rapid City 27-24.
This series has been a hot potato series right from the get-go. Neither team has been able to put together a pair of wins in a row. Thus the reason for the 7th and deciding game. There is only one question left.
Will the Mudbugs break the pattern by winning game 7 and move on to the next round? Or will the pattern continue as it has? Leaving Rapid City to move on. That’s why you just have to love the game to truly appreciate what a game 7 is all about.
For the Mudbugs, you might say the 2-0 win in game six was their game 7. In a way it was, looking at it from a do or die standpoint. It ultimately comes down to a one game winner takes all.
With perfect timing and a ton of luck, both the NCF and SCF’s will be decided Wednesday night. There are four teams vying for two spots. Who will come out on top once the dust settles? Here are the scenarios.
It could be Rapid City vs. Odessa or Bossier Shreveport vs. Odessa, or Rapid City vs. Allen, or Bossier Shreveport vs. Allen. Which two teams will prevail? The Allen vs. Odessa game gets underway at 7:05pm CT, while the Bossier Shreveport vs. Rapid City game begins at 7:35pm CT.
© 2010, Mudbugs Hockey Blog. All rights reserved. To Republish you must link back to the Original Article
A great article indeed. And you laid it all out there exactly how things are at this point. The Game 6 win for our BUGS was kind of like a Game 7 in a series. The 2-0 shutout for our rookie goalie goalie; Capt. Kirk. It was his night & our BUGS night. Hopefully our guys can & will feed off that shutout win they got last night & get another HUGE win tonight. Thanks for writing such a great article.
And hopefully our BUGS will leave it all on the ice tonight in Rapid City. And hopefully the reward they reap will be a ticket to the “President Cup Finals”. Let’s just hope Capt. Kirk has another GREAT game in him tonight & Battachio (sp) can’t stop beach balls. Thanks again Sabr. Awesome article.
“GO BUGS – WE BELIEVE”