Aikins Gets 2nd Straight Game-Winner

February 27, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - For the second consecutive night, Justin Aikins and Tyrel Lucas connected on a dramatic game-winning goal as Aikins scored 21 seconds into overtime to give the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs a 4-3 victory over the Tulsa Oilers Saturday night at the BOK Center. The Mudbugs overcame another Oilers comeback to beat Tulsa for the 12th time in a row and extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games.

Trailing 3-1 in the third period, Tulsa came back to force overtime before Aikins notched the winner on the first shift in OT. Lucas, who also had a goal, assisted on the play. Joe Blaznek had two assists and John DeCaro turned aside 37 shots to get his 20th win of the season as the ‘Bugs killed off all seven Oiler powerplays in the game.

The Mudbugs fired 21 shots on goal in the first compared to just 7 for Tulsa, but missed on three powerplays and couldn't get on the board until the final minute. David Rutherford stole a puck in the Oilers' zone and fed a pass in front for Tyrel Lucas, who rifled home his 15th of the year to put the ‘Bugs on top with only 29 seconds left in the period.

Tulsa tied it up early in the second though as Dan Riedel beat DeCaro stick side with a shot from the left circle at 1:52. The Mudbugs re-took the lead less than two minutes later when Joe Blaznek set up Brett Smith on the doorstep for a shorthanded tap-in to make it 2-1.

With the ‘Bugs on the powerplay mid-way through the period, Jeff Kyrzakos deflected a long shot by Shawn Limpright into the net to extend the lead to 3-1 with his 20th goal this season. The Mudbugs then killed off 1:36 of a two-man advantage powerplay for Tulsa to maintain the two-goal edge heading into the third.

The Oilers' rally started with Derek Eastman's shorthanded goal at 7:45 of the third, which got the home club back within one. Troy Riddle then tied it on a scramble in front with only 2:58 left in regulation to force the extra session. The Mudbugs controlled the puck right off the faceoff win in overtime though and after Lucas' initial shot was stopped by Marco Emond, Aikins jammed in the rebound to cap the 4-3 win.

DeCaro has now won four straight starts for the ‘Bugs, who were outshot 40-32 on this night. Marco Emond made 28 saves in his first start of the year for Tulsa. Bossier-Shreveport finished 1 for 5 on the powerplay, while Tulsa was 0 for 7.

The Mudbugs and Oilers will finish off this weekend's back-to-back set at the BOK Center tomorrow afternoon at 4:05 pm, with pregame coverage beginning at 3:45 pm on News Radio 710 AM KEEL. The game will also be shown live online on CHL TV.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2010


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