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Mudbugs Outlast Oilers in Shootout

February 13, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - It took a franchise record-tying 61 shots on goal, but the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs bested the Tulsa Oilers 4-3 in a shootout Friday night at the CenturyTel Center. Tulsa goaltender (and former Mudbug) Kevin St. Pierre made 57 saves in the game, but the Mudbugs won the shootout 3-2 to earn their 31st victory of the season and maintain a two-point lead in the Northeast Division.

Mark Johnson scored the shootout game-winner and Jon Horrell stopped the final four Tulsa shooters to help the Mudbugs overcome a 2-0 deficit in the shootout and finish 6-1 on their seven-game homestand. Neil Clark, Kevin Cooper and Tyrel Lucas scored regulation goals for the Mudbugs, who also got two assists from Chris Brassard in his 400th game with the team. The ‘Bugs finish the regular season series 8-0 against the Oilers this season.

The teams played an entertaining first period that featured a total of 31 shots on goal. After killing off a pair of Tulsa powerplays early in the contest, the Mudbugs then took the lead on a man-advantage of their own. Neil Clark slid home the rebound of Chris Brassard's long shot from the point to give the ‘Bugs a 1-0 lead. A few minutes later, Michel Beausoleil broke into the Mudbugs' zone and fired a heavy slapshot that found the top corner of the net to tie the game at one for Tulsa after one period.

Tulsa seized some of the momentum in the second and took a 2-1 lead when Matt Maccarone's long shot from the point bounced off Bobby Reed and into the net to put the Oilers on top at 12:42. The Mudbugs battled back though, putting numerous shots on net and eventually tying it up with another powerplay goal. Brassard started this play as well, firing another shot that was stopped before Kevin Cooper put in the rebound and made it 2-2 with under three minutes remaining in the second. Before the period was out though, the gloves would drop between the teams with three fights. Brett Angel and Matt Maccarone started it off with the first bout, which was followed quickly by Mark Johnson vs. Lucas LaBelle and capped off when Quade Lightbody worked over Kevin Hansen right at the 20 minute mark.

The ‘Bugs took a 3-2 third-period lead when Tyrel Lucas broke in down the left side boards and bulled his way out front, beating St. Pierre for his 17th goal of the season at 7:03. Just over a minute later though, the Oilers came back once again when Jason Weitzel picked up his own rebound and shot it over a prone Horrell to tie the game at three. Despite a 19-7 shot advantage in the third period, the Mudbugs couldn't retake the lead and the game went to overtime.

The ‘Bugs held a 6-1 shot advantage and had a powerplay in the OT thanks to a bench minor penalty against Tulsa, but couldn't avoid going to the shootout. Both Augie DiMarzo and Brendan Hodge scored as the first two Oiler shooters to put them on top 2-0 in the shootout. Tyrel Lucas, Simon Mangos, and then Mark Johnson all eventually scored for the Mudbugs though, and Jon Horrell stoned the last four Tulsa shooters to give the ‘Bugs the dramatic victory.

Bossier-Shreveport outshot Tulsa 61-28 in the contest, tying a franchise record that has stood since the Mudbugs' inaugural season. The ‘Bugs also had 61 shots on goal during a 5-4 win over Austin on December 19, 1997. The Mudbugs were 2 for 5 on the powerplay, while the Oilers finished 0 for 3.

Jon Horrell finished with 25 saves in the victory and improved to 8-2-1 on the season. St. Pierre, meanwhile, stopped 57 shots but still took the shootout loss to fall to 6-17-6.

The ‘Bugs will now have six days off before making their first-ever visit to Prescott Valley, Arizona for a pair of games against the Arizona Sundogs. The teams met for the first time back in early January at CenturyTel Center, with Arizona winning 2-1, but Bossier-Shreveport will make its first appearances at Arizona's Tim's Toyota Center next Friday and Saturday, both at 8:05 pm Central time.

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