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Mudbugs Fall in Shootout at Oklahoma City

February 25, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Jon Horrell's 44 saves weren't enough for the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Oklahoma City Blazers on Wednesday night at the Ford Center. The Mudbugs were outshot 47-24 in the game, but still earned one point by getting the game into overtime before falling 3-1 in the shootout.

Dale Lupul had another big night for the ‘Bugs, tallying the game-tying goal in the third period and assisting on Kevin Cooper's first period goal. Both goals came on the powerplay for Bossier-Shreveport, who finishes the season series 2-0-2 against the Blazers.

Oklahoma City started out strong in the game, getting four first period powerplays and outshooting the Mudbugs 21-11. The ‘Bugs took a 1-0 lead though just after a 5-on-3 powerplay had expired. The Mudbugs held the puck in the zone to set up Chris Brassard's initial shot that was stopped by Doug Groenestege, but Kevin Cooper was right there on the doorstep to put in the rebound and make it a 1-0 Bossier-Shreveport lead with a powerplay goal. Jon Horrell came up huge in the period, stopping every puck he saw including a point-blank rebound try by Chad Hinz mid-way through the period.

The pace slowed for both teams in the second period, resulting in just 15 combined shots in the frame. The highlight of the period was a fight between Brett Angel and Robin Gomez, which Angel won handily for the Mudbugs. Despite getting just four shots in the period and trailing 32-15 in the shot count after 40 minutes, Bossier-Shreveport still held the 1-0 lead.

That changed early in the third when Jason Murfitt got a pass in front from Simon Lambert and banged home a goal to tie the game at one for the Blazers on their 33rd shot of the game. Just over three minutes later, Oklahoma City scored again, this time on a 2-on-1 break that was finished off by Bill Vandermeer to give the home team a 2-1 advantage. The ‘Bugs fought back to tie it on another powerplay though when Dale Lupul beat Groenestege stick-side with a long wrist shot to make it 2-2.

The Blazers got a powerplay in the overtime period, but the Mudbugs killed off the penalty and the game went to a shootout. Vandermeer opened the shootout with a goal for Oklahoma City, but was countered by Joe Blaznek's tally that tied it at one. After Chad Hinz had scored to give the Blazers the edge, Groenestege stopped both Simon Mangos and Mark Johnson before Simon Lambert finished off the Mudbugs with another shootout goal to cap the 3-2 Oklahoma City win.

Jon Horrell dropped to 10-2-2 in defeat despite the 44-save effort, while Doug Groenestege stopped 22 shots in the win. Bossier-Shreveport finished 2 for 6 on the powerplay and held the Blazers to a 0 for 6 night on theirs.

The Mudbugs will now return home for a pair of games against the top two teams in the CHL standings. Friday night the Mudbugs will host the Northern Conference leading Colorado Eagles at 7:05 pm, a game that will also feature the jersey retirement ceremony of former player and current Assistant Coach Trevor Buchanan's #27 prior to the opening faceoff. Saturday night will bring another edition in the Mudbugs' rivalry with the Texas Brahmas, who come to town for the final time this season. Tickets are on sale now for both games, through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700 for individual seats and the Mudbugs office at 318-752-BUGS for group ticket packages.

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