Third Period Outburst Leads Mudbugs Over Oilers
Published on December 20, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs scored three third period goals to break open a 1-1 game and go on to defeat the Tulsa Oilers 4-1 Sunday afternoon at the CenturyTel Center. The win extended Bossier-Shreveport's win streak to six consecutive games and gave them a three point cushion over Tulsa for third place in the Northern Conference standings.
Tyrel Lucas scored twice in the third period and added an assist, while Justin Aikins scored the game-winning goal and had three assists for a four-point night. Chris St. Croix also scored his first goal as a Mudbug and Brett Smith chipped in two assists.
The Mudbugs outshot the Oilers 10-5 in the first period, but neither team got on the scoreboard despite a combined four powerplays between them. The highlight of the period was a lengthy fight between Bossier-Shreveport's rookie tough guy James DeLory and Tulsa's Thomas Harrison at 15:54.
The game stayed scoreless past the halfway point until St. Croix put the 'Bugs on top. Right off a faceoff win in the Tulsa zone, St. Croix's long wrist shot found the top corner behind Kevin Armstrong to open the scoring for the home team. Less than a minute later, defenseman Derek Eastman scored a powerplay goal to tie the game at one for the Oilers.
It didn't take long for the Mudbugs to take the lead in the third period, as Justin Aikins intercepted a pass in the Tulsa zone and immediately shot the puck past Armstrong for a shorthanded goal just 12 seconds in. The 'Bugs kept coming when Tyrel Lucas skated alone from the boards to the front before backhanding a shot between Armstrong's legs to make it 3-1. Lucas capped off the scoring with his second of the night later in the period, rifling home a centering feed from Smith to give Bossier-Shreveport the 4-1 advantage.
John DeCaro made 20 saves in the game, including a number of big ones in the third period as Tulsa tried to come back. DeCaro is on 9-6-0 this season after winning his past four straight starts. Kevin Armstrong stopped 23 shots in the loss as the Mudbugs outshot the Oilers 27-21. The 'Bugs were 0 for 6 on the powerplay, but killed off nine out of ten Tulsa powerplays in the contest.
The Mudbugs will now take five days off before returning to the ice at 7:05 pm on Saturday night to take on the Mississippi RiverKings for the seventh time this year. Bossier-Shreveport has won five of the six games between the two rivals so far this season. Group packages and mini-plans are available through the Mudbugs office at 752-BUGS, while individual tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster at 741-9700.
Season and group tickets are on sale by calling 318-752-BUGS (2847) or by visiting our website at www.mudbugshockey.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2009
- Third Period Outburst Leads Mudbugs Over Oilers - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Killer Bees Blast RiverKings In Rio Grande Valley - Mississippi RiverKings
- RiverKings Tackle The Killer Bees Tonight - Mississippi RiverKings
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