
Lupul, Carroll Lift 'Bugs to OT Win
February 6, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - Dale Lupul's overtime game-winning goal and Ken Carroll's 46 saves lifted the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to a 3-2 victory over the Oklahoma City Blazers on Friday night at the CenturyTel Center. The Mudbugs were outshot 48-22 in the game, but found a way to tie it up in the third period to force overtime. The âBugs now lead the Northeast Division by three points over Oklahoma City and Mississippi.
The overtime winner was Lupul's second goal of the game, as he also scored in the first period. Joe Ori also had the game-tying goal in the third period and he assisted on the overtime goal. The 46 saves were Carroll's second-most in a game this season and helped him earn his 17th win of the year in goal. He was most impressive in the second period, when the Mudbugs were outshot 25-5.
The first period was fairly even between the two teams, with Oklahoma City holding a slight 12-11 shot advantage after one. The âBugs held a 1-0 lead though, as Lupul scored his seventh goal of the season on the powerplay. Joe Blaznek shot the puck into the corner and it bounced right back to Lupul, who fired a long shot over Doug Groenestege's glove to open the scoring for Bossier-Shreveport.
Oklahoma City controlled the tempo in the second period, scoring twice and outshooting the âBugs 25-5. Jason Seerey got the first Blazer goal at 1:19 of the second, putting in a rebound after Ken Carroll had stopped Ted Vandermeer coming out of the corner to tie the game at one. Halfway through the period, Oklahoma City took the lead when Simon Lambert caused a turnover in the Mudbugs' end and got the puck to a wide open Jason Murfitt in the slot for the go-ahead goal. Carroll made a number of great saves later in the second to keep the âBugs within one though, trailing 2-1 after 40 minutes.
The Mudbugs evened the playing field some in the third period, but were still outshot 11-5. Bossier-Shreveport tied the game when Simon Mangos let loose a long shot from the point that was deflected in front by Joe Ori and bounced past Groenestege to tie it at two with 8:32 remaining. The third would finish in a 2-2 deadlock and the game went to an extra session.
Early in the OT, Ori skated the puck into the Oklahoma City zone and dropped a pass back for Lupul. With Tyrel Lucas and two Blazer defensemen screening the goaltender, Lupul rifled the puck into the top corner of the net to give the Mudbugs a 3-2 victory.
Groenestege made 19 saves in the defeat, dropping his record to 14-4-3 this season. Bossier-Shreveport finished 1 for 4 on the powerplay, while Oklahoma City was 0 for 5. The Blazers outshot the Mudbugs in every period on their way to a 48-22 shot advantage.
The Mudbugs will be right back on home ice tomorrow to host the rival Texas Brahmas at 7:05 pm at the CTC. The Brahmas have won the last six meetings in this rivalry, but the teams haven't seen each other since December 23rd. The âBugs will be looking to improve upon a 1-4-2 record against Texas and further extend their Northeast Division lead tomorrow night, so call Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700 for individual tickets or the Mudbugs office at 318-752-BUGS for group seats.
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