Blazers Top 'Bugs in Shootout

Published on January 17, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Doug Groenestege stopped all five Mudbugs' shooters in the shootout as the Oklahoma City Blazers earned a come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs on Saturday night at the Ford Center. The Mudbugs held one-goal leads three separate times in the game, but Oklahoma City tied the game each time and eventually won the shootout 1-0.

The Mudbugs were 7 for 7 on the penalty kill before Simon Lambert's second goal of the game that tied it at three in the third period to force overtime. Ken Carroll still had a solid night for the Mudbugs in defeat, stopping 29 shots and making four of five saves in the shootout. Joe Blaznek also had two assists for the ‘Bugs.

The Mudbugs were strong in the first period, outshooting the Blazers 10-5 and holding a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. With the Mudbugs on the powerplay, Chris Brassard's slapshot from the boards bounced off the shoulder of Oklahoma City goaltender Doug Groenestege and into the net for make it 1-0 Mudbugs at the 11:17 mark. Bossier-Shreveport also killed off two Oklahoma City powerplays in the first period.

The offense picked up for both teams in the second parting, starting when the Blazers tied the game as Cam Doull put in the rebound of a Brian Passmore shot to make it a 1-1 game. The ‘Bugs went back on top when Tyrel Lucas slammed home a centering pass from Travis Clayton for his fourteenth goal of the season on the powerplay and give Bossier-Shreveport a 2-1 edge. Oklahoma City again tied it as the Mudbugs blocked a shot from the point only to have Simon Lambert pick up a loose puck and beat Ken Carroll to the stick side. The ‘Bugs retook the lead again though as Simon Mangos scored the 50th goal of his professional career. Joe Blaznek was cutting to the front of the net with the puck when and Groenestege collided, sending the Blazers' goalie down to the ice. As the Blazers tried to clear, Mangos held the puck in and fired it into an open net with Groenestege still prone to give the Mudbugs a 3-2 lead after two periods.

The Mudbugs killed off nearly two full minutes of 5-on-3 powerplay time in the third period, getting a few great saves from Carroll to preserve their one goal lead. Finally though, Oklahoma City broke through on its fourth powerplay of the period and eighth of the game when Lambert scored his second of the game on a rebound in front of Carroll to tie it up once again and force an extra session.

Both teams had chances in the overtime, but neither could score and the game went to a shootout, where Ted Vandermeer scored to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead. Carroll stopped the four remaining Oklahoma City shooters, but the ‘Bugs never could solve Groenestege in the shootout and fell to 22-12-3 on the season.

Ken Carroll drops to 11-4-2 this year, while Groenestege improves to 11-4-2 after making 27 saves on the night. The Mudbugs converted two of their three powerplay chances, while the Blazers were 1 for 8.

The Mudbugs will now have four days off before finishing up this season high six-game road trip next Thursday night in Tulsa. The ‘Bugs and Oilers meet for the seventh time this season at 7:05 pm on Thursday as Bossier-Shreveport makes its final appearance of the season at the BOK Center. The Mudbugs will then be back home to host Rio Grande Valley on Saturday night and Laredo on Monday night at the CenturyTel Center.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2009


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