Mudbugs Defense Shuts Down Thunder
January 31, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - Jon Horrell made 37 saves as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs ran their winning streak to four with a 2-1 win over the Wichita Thunder on Saturday night at the CenturyTel Center. The Mudbugs are now 3-0 against Wichita this season, with all three wins coming by a single goal.
Bossier-Shreveport's penalty killing unit was a huge key to the game, killing off all eight shorthanded situations the âBugs faced. J.J. Martin and Tyrel Lucas both scored for the Mudbugs, who stayed in a first place tie with Oklahoma City in the Northeast Division. Horrell started for the first time in three weeks, making 14 saves with the game on the line in the third period to improve his season record to 6-1-1.
The game was scoreless after 20 minutes, with both teams trading unsuccessful powerplay chances. The Mudbugs had an 11-5 shot advantage mid-way through the first, but Wichita got more pucks on net during its late powerplay chances to even the shot count at 12 after the opening period.
Tyrel Lucas broke the deadlock with his 15th goal of the year early in the second. Lucas' crossing pass to Kevin Cooper was blocked, but the puck came right back to Lucas, who then beat Krister Toews with a quick shot inside the far post. Later in the period, Simon Mangos' long shot hit Mark Johnson in front of the net and bounced right to J.J. Martin, who finished off his third goal of the season to give the âBugs a 2-0 lead. Scott Rozendal got the Thunder on the board later in the second, banging home a rebound in front of Horrell to make it 2-1 Mudbugs after two periods.
Wichita had four powerplay chances and a 14-4 shot advantage in the third, but the âBugs held strong in their own zone to keep the lead. Horrell made a few big saves in the final minutes as the Mudbugs won for the 27th time this year.
Krister Toews stopped 24 shots in the loss as the Thunder outshot the Mudbugs 38-26. Bossier-Shreveport finished 0 for 3 on the powerplay, but held Wichita to an 0 for 8 night on its powerplay as well.
Up next the Mudbugs will host an important Northeast Division matchup with Oklahoma City on Tuesday night. The âBugs and Blazers will meet twice next week at CenturyTel Center in Oklahoma City's only two visits Bossier City this season. Individual tickets for this big divisional game are available through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700, while group and flex tickets are on sale at the Mudbugs office inside CenturyTel Center or by calling 318-752-BUGS.
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Central Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2009
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