Keserich Steals Game 3 for Oilers
April 19, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
TULSA, OK - Ian Keserich stole the show and the game for the Tulsa Oilers Tuesday night at the BOK Center, making 44 saves in a narrow 3-2 defeat of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in Game 3 of the Berry Conference Semifinals. The Mudbugs trail the best-of-five series two games to one and will now prepare for a must-win Game 4 Friday night in Tulsa.
Shawn Limpright and Nick Layton scored the goals for Bossier-Shreveport, who outshot the Oilers 23-8 in the second period alone and 46-22 in total in Game 3. John DeCaro suffered his first loss of the playoffs after making 19 saves, and the âBugs were held without a powerplay goal for just the second time this postseason on five man-advantages.
The Oilers jumped out to a 1-0 lead just over three minutes in when Gary Steffes picked a rebound out of a scramble in front of John DeCaro and shot it into the top corner. Tulsa was then issued their fourth five-minute major penalty of the series, this one for Tyler Fleck's knee-on-knee hit to Shane Hart, who did not return. This time however, the âBugs were not able to score on the ensuing powerplay and trailed by a goal after one despite an 11-6 shot advantage.
It took just 30 seconds for Bossier-Shreveport to draw even in the second frame when Travis Clayton got the puck to Limpright, who skated in free from the boards and backhanded the puck between Keserich's pads to tie the game at one. Tulsa re-took the lead midway through the period when Derek Eastman's shot on a shorthanded rush was deflected right to the weak side to Marty Standish, who tapped in his first goal of the playoffs at 7:58.
The Mudbugs quickly tied it again less than two minutes later though when Nick Layton picked up the rebound of Jim Jorgensen's shot and tucked it around a prone Keserich for his first professional goal. Despite the 23-8 shot advantage for the âBugs in the period, the game stayed tied at two going into the third.
The Mudbugs outshot Tulsa 12-8 in the third, but could not beat Keserich to take the lead. The Oilers went up to stay at 6:13 when Standish rushed into the zone off a faceoff to start a scoring chance that resulted in Evan Kotsopoulos' game-winner on a rebound in front of DeCaro. A number of late scoring chances bounced the wrong way for Bossier-Shreveport as Tulsa snagged a 3-2 win and a 2-1 series lead.
John DeCaro (3-2) had 19 saves in the loss, while Keserich (1-1) turned in 44 stops in his first playoff win of 2011. The Mudbugs finished 0 for 5 on the powerplay and Tulsa was scoreless on three man-advantages.
The Mudbugs will now face elimination for the first time in these playoffs Friday night in Game 4 at the BOK Center. A âBugs victory would send the series back to Bossier City for a deciding Game 5 Saturday night at the CenturyTel Center. Opening faceoff on Friday is set for 7:35 pm, with radio coverage starting at 7:15 on News Radio 710 AM KEEL. Don't forget to check out www.mudbugshockey.com for CHL-TV watch party information!
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Central Hockey League Stories from April 19, 2011
- Jacks Lose Game Three to Allen, 3-1 - Odessa Jackalopes
- Keserich Steals Game 3 for Oilers - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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