Franck Steals Show in Shootout Win
In what could have been the performance of the season thus far, Rio Grande Valley goaltender Andy Franck made 50 saves including 26 in the second period to help the Killer Bees (19-18-6) to a 3-2 shootout win over the Laredo Bucks (19-15-8) in the Laredo Entertainment Center.
Franck ended a personal three-game losing streak and pulled his team to within two points of the Bucks for the fourth spot in the Southern Conference playoff race.
RGV never trailed in the game as Daymen Rycroft’s first of two goals on the night came at the 15:08 mark of the first period.
Laredo answered with Jarred Mohr’s power play goal late in the second period setting up a showdown in the third period.
Rycroft regained the lead for the Bees at 4:39 and it appeared to be enough until Eric Giosa tied the game with under three minutes remaining in regulation sending the contest to overtime/shootout. The goals for Rycroft give the former goal scoring champion of the CHL 16 on the season.
In the shootout, each team scored twice through six rounds leaving the door open for Tom Swatske to be the hero beating Kevin Desfosses for his third goal of the season and second game winner.
Desfosses finished with 27 saves as his team outshot the Killer Bees 52-29 but could not come up with the win.
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