Mudbugs Win Sixth Straight

In a battle for third place in the Northern Conference, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs extended their win streak to six games with a 4-1 victory over the Tulsa Oilers on Sunday.  The Mudbugs now hold a three point lead over Tulsa in the North.  The game was the 300th regular season home game for the ‘Bugs at the CenturyTel Center.

Justin Aikins finished with a goal and three assists and was a +4 in the game.  Tyrel Lucas had two goals and an assist.

After a scoreless first period, the Mudbugs scored first with Chris St. Croix handcuffing Tulsa goaltender Kevin Armstrong with a knuckling shot from the blueline.  It was the veteran’s first goal of the season.  Tulsa answered back quickly on a four-on-three advantage when Derek Eastman took a Rob Hisey pass and teed it up blasting it past John DeCaro.  For Eastman, it was his fourth goal of the season and it tied the score at a goal apiece. 

Hisey left the game with a second remaining in the middle period appearing to have taken a puck to the face but he did return in the third period.

It did not take long in the third period for the Mudbugs to take control as they regained the lead just 12 seconds in with a shorthanded goal by Justin Aikins and then added to it at the 4:51 mark with a goal by Tyrel Lucas.  Both tallies were created by sloppy play in the Tulsa zone by the Oilers.

Bossier-Shreveport continued to expand their lead with Lucas’ second goal of the night at the 11:32 mark.  On both Lucas goals, Aikins and Brett Smith drew the assists.

DeCaro finished with 20 saves improving to 9-6-0 with his fourth straight win.  Armstrong’s struggles continue dropping his third straight decision and falling to 11-6-1 on the season.