Mudbugs Explode in the Third to Beat Oilers
December 20, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
TULSA, OK - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs scored four third-period goals to come from behind for the second consecutive night and beat the Tulsa Oilers by a score of 5-2 on Saturday night at the BOK Center. Neil Clark had a goal and an assist and Joe Ori chipped in two helpers as the Bugs won for the fourth time in their past five games.
The Bugs scored first Saturday night, but again found themselves behind a resurgent Tulsa team to start the third period after the Oilers took the lead late in the second. Bossier-Shreveport has now won three times this season when trailing after two periods of play.
The first period started much like Friday night's game, with both teams pushing the tempo and trading scoring chances. The Mudbugs drew first blood on another powerplay goal from Travis Clayton at 15:23. Clayton skated in from the boards and fired a sharp angle wrist shot that beat Kevin St. Pierre at the far post to make it 1- 0 Mudbugs. About three minutes later though, Tulsa battled back on tie it on a nice 2-on-1 break with Jeff Christian setting up a Michel Beausoleil tap-in goal to make it a 1-1 game after one period of play.
The teams got two powerplays apiece in the second, but only the Oilers would cash in the man-advantage to take the lead. Cody Hamilton's slapshot from the point was deflected in front and found its way past Jon Horrell to give Tulsa a one goal lead after 40 minutes for the second consecutive night.
Just like Friday night though, the Bugs tied the game once again early in the period. Dale Lupul was stopped a long wrist shot, but Clark was there to one-time the rebound St. Pierre to make it a 2-2 game less than four minutes into the third. Dave Pszenyczny then gave the Mudbugs the lead, burying an Ori pass from the high slot for his second goal of the season that made it 3-2. Three minutes later, Chris Brassard scored after St. Pierre left the rebound of a Neil Clark wrist shot sitting in front to make it 4-2 for the Bugs. Late in the game, with the Oilers on the powerplay and their goaltender on the bench, Simon Mangos sprung Brett Smith into the zone for the Mudbugs' first empty-net goal of the season to provide the final margin of 5-2.
The Mudbugs won the shot battle 37-27 and were 1 for 3 on the powerplay, while the Oilers were 1 for 4. Jon Horrell is now 5-0-1 after he stopped 25 shots to win his second consecutive start, while St. Pierre made 32 saves in the losing effort for Tulsa.
The Mudbugs will now travel home for a Tuesday night affair with the rival Texas Brahmas. Texas has won five consecutive games against the Mudbugs since Bossier-Shreveport's 5-1 win over the Brahmas on opening night. The Mudbugs and Brahmas meet for the seventh time this season at 7:05 pm Tuesday at CenturyTel Center, so don't forget to call Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700 for individual tickets or the Mudbugs office at 318-752-BUGS for group or flex ticket packages.
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