CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – J.R. Bria’s first career goal was also the game-winner in the second period and Ken Carroll made 36 saves as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs scored three second period goals and beat the Corpus Christi IceRays 4-1 on Thursday night at the American Bank Center. Travis Clayton also had one assist in the game, giving him 527 in his CHL career and tying him with former Oklahoma City Blazer Hardy Sauter for second all-time in CHL history.
 
Four different Mudbugs scored in the game, including Brett Smith, Joe Blaznek and Neil Clark to help the team win its second straight game for the first time since December 19 and 20. Bossier-Shreveport is now just one point behind Oklahoma City for the Northeast Division lead.
 
It didn’t take long for the teams to start the physical play in this one, with Brett Angel and T.J. Reynolds squaring off in a heavyweight bout just two seconds into the contest. Corpus Christi scored the game’s first goal shortly after when Matt Smyth’s shot from the top of the circle made it through traffic and past Ken Carroll to give the IceRays a 1-0 lead. Right off the next faceoff, Mark Johnson dropped the gloves with Nicolas Bachand of Corpus Christi. The Mudbugs got even later in the period when Brett Smith knocked home a rebound in front of IceRays goaltender Kris Tebbs to tie the game at one. J.R. Bria then got involved with the third fight of the period, taking on Bachand at the 16:44 mark. Bossier-Shreveport also killed off two Corpus powerplays in the first period of play and the game was tied at one after 20 minutes.
 
The Mudbugs took control in the second period, scoring three times to take a 4-1 lead into the third. The ‘Bugs went in front when J.R. Bria, playing in his 100th professional game, wristed a long shot past Kris Tebbs for his first career goal to make it 2-1. Exactly 30 seconds later, a beautiful goal extended the lead. The Mudbugs’ hottest line connected, as Travis Clayton and Tyrel Lucas assisted on Joe Blaznek’s 12th goal of the year to give the ‘Bugs a two goal cushion. With that assist, Clayton tied Hardy Sauter for second in CHL history in assists with 527. Later in the period, J.J. Martin’s hard work in the corner helped him get a pass out front to Neil Clark, who put in his third goal in the last two games with just 40 seconds remaining in the period to give the Mudbugs a three-goal advantage.
 
The IceRays put nine shots on goal in the third and had two powerplays, but Ken Carroll made all the saves and the Mudbugs protected the lead on their way to the 4-1 victory.
 
Ken Carroll was great in goal with 36 saves to improve to 9-4-1 this season. Kris Tebbs was chased from the net after Blaznek’s goal in the second period, finishing with 11 saves on 14 shots in getting the loss. Dustin Traylen stopped 12 of 13 in relief of Tebbs. Corpus Christi finished with a 37-27 shot advantage, but went 0 for 5 on the powerplay, while the ‘Bugs were 0 for 2.
 
The Mudbugs will now continue their three-in-three south Texas road trip tomorrow night in Laredo, taking on the Bucks at 7:30 pm before they head to Rio Grande Valley on Saturday night. The ‘Bugs and Bucks have split the season series thus far, with the Mudbugs winning 2-1 on opening weekend and then Laredo striking back with a 4-0 win in November. The game can be heard on AM 1130 KWKH with pregame coverage beginning at 7:10 pm or can be seen live online through the CHL Network.

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