2/24 BUGS VS. YOUNGSTOWN
STEELHOUNDS WIN IN SHOOTOUT; BUGS IN TIE FOR FIRST
By Roy Lang III
rflang@gannett.com
The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs got all the help they needed Saturday. The Memphis RiverKings, the leaders in the Northeast Division, lost to Central Hockey League-worst Rocky Mountain and the Colorado Eagles lost to expansion Arizona.
Things appeared to be ducky in the chilly CenturyTel Center, too. The Mudbugs were involved in exactly what they wanted -- a tight, low-scoring affair with the Youngstown SteelHounds.
However, the Mudbugs failed to put the final star in alignment.
Chris Richards scored twice, including the game-winner in a shootout, and the SteelHounds escaped with a 3-2 victory in front of a stunned overflow crowd of more than 7,600 at CTC.
The long bright spot was the Memphis loss and the Mudbugs’ presence at the top of the division. For four months, Bossier-Shreveport (33-12-6) has been trying to claw out of a hole in the Northeast Division. Saturday, it reached the surface.
Bossier-Shreveport is also just two points back of Colorado for the top overall seed.
“We took the point out of it, at least we tied Memphis,” Downs said. “We did some good things – play two good periods at least, we were a bit rusty in the first, but we battled for our point.”
Youngstown goaltender Brad Roberts was incredible in net with 25 saves, plus four of five in the shootout, and soured a two-goal performance from Mudbugs defenseman Jeremy Downs.
The loss was the first in 11 games for Mudbugs rookie goaltender John DeCaro, who made 22 saves and two of four in the shootout.
Shaun Landolt scored on the SteelHounds’ first attempt in the shootout and the game ended when Mudbugs captain Dan Wildfong couldn’t muster a shot as the team’s fifth shooter. Daniel Pegoraro was the only Mudbug to beat Roberts in the shootout.
The Mudbugs were plagued by an inordinate amount of turnovers in the middle of the ice – particularly in its own zone.
“We weren’t as sharp as we’d like to be, there’s no question about it,” Muscutt said. “We’ve just been playing well lately and maybe we’re trying to put the cart before the horse and got away from our game a little.”
The final 90 seconds of the overtime were hectic. Roberts stood strong, making several saves during a flurry in front of the net. He robbed a Chris Abbott forehand attempt with a minute to go.
“That’s our game plan – clog up the middle, keep everything to the outside and let the goalies make the saves outside,” Youngstown head coach Kevin Kaminski said. “Roberts has shown some poise and has really matured since the start of the season. He’s given us a chance to win every night and that’s all you can ask for.”
Youngstown, 5-0-1, in its past six games, ended the Mudbugs’ six-game winning streak. The SteelHounds were the last team to defeat Bossier-Shreveport before Saturday.
The Mudbugs hit the road for a game at Tulsa on Tuesday. The game kicks off four straight against the Oilers, who play a pair at CTC on next weekend.
Youngstown caught a bit of a break to score the game’s first goal – a power play tally late in the first period.
Stephen Margeson attempted a slap shot from the point, but nearly whiffed. The puck trickled toward Mudbugs forward Daniel Pegoraro, who seemed to be caught off guard by the off-speed puck. The rookie missed his clearing attempt and the puck went right to Chris Richard’s tape in the slot.
Richards sent a wrister over the blocker of DeCaro and the SteelHounds led 1-0.
“It’s nice to get that first goal on the road, especially against a team that’s been hot,” Kaminski said.
The Mudbugs had a power-play chance of their own late in the first period, but Roberts made one of the best saves of the year.
The netminder stopped Cam Abbott on a breakaway with a last-second leg save to his right.
The Mudbugs shut Youngstown down in the second period. After allowing 11 SteelHounds shots in the first, Bossier-Shreveport gave up only four in the middle period.
The Mudbugs’ offense remained stymied by Roberts until a power-play goal tied the game late in the period.
Defenseman Jeremy Downs let a slapper fly from the blue line and Roberts, who had been spectacular all night, let it through with 4:57 left.
Dallas Anderson skated into the Mudbugs’ zone down the left wing and used his 6-foot-6, 228-pound frame to work around defenseman Ryan Fairbarn and issue a shot on DeCaro. The rookie goalie wasn’t able to control the puck and Brad Patterson was there to chip in the rebound 4 minutes into the third period.
With nine seconds left in a power play midway through the third, the Mudbugs tied the score at 2 when Downs set another slap shot into the Youngstown net.
The defenseman doubled his goal output for the season. His two previous goals came against Odessa on Dec. 30.
The Mudbugs were awarded a power play with 2 minutes left in regulation, but were unable to capitalize.
Roberts made a pad save on a rocket from Chris Brassard with 5 seconds left.
YOUNGSTOWN UP 1-0 AFTER ONE
Youngstown caught a bit of a break to score the game’s first goal – a power play tally late in the first period.
Stephen Margeson attempted a slap shot from the point, but nearly whiffed. The puck trickled toward Mudbugs forward Daniel Pegoraro, who seemed to be caught off guard by the off-speed puck. The rookie missed his clearing attempt and the puck went right to Chris Richard’s tape in the slot.
Richards sent a wrister over the blocker of DeCaro and the SteelHounds led 1-0.
The Mudbugs had a power-play chance of their own late in the first period, but Roberts made one of the best saves of the year.
The netminder stopped Cam Abbott on a breakaway with a last-second leg save to his right.
WILDFONG ON TIME TODAY
Captain Dan Wildfong is at the rink today, on time. Last night, an immigration issue in New Orleans left him at the rink's doorstep at 7 p.m., five minutes before the faceoff against Rocky Mountain.
DECARO VS. ROBERTS
John DeCaro, after a game off due to the return of Ken Carroll, gets the start between the pipes tonight for the Mudbugs. Brad Roberts will start for Youngstown.
The Mudbugs enter the game on a six-game win streak while the SteelHounds are 4-0-1 in their past four games.
PREVIEW OF TONIGHT'S GAME
The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs look to continue their hot play tonight against Youngstown at CenturyTel Center (7:05 p.m.). Ken Carroll made his return between the pipes Friday, but rookie John DeCaro will play tonight.
The SteelHounds defeated Memphis, the Northeast Division leader, last night in overtime while the Mudbugs were forced to come back three times to defeat CHL-worst Rocky Mountain at CTC.
The Mudbugs will try to avoid the quick pace of Friday's game at all cost tonight. Youngstown brings the CHL's top two scorers to town in Jeff Christian and Chris Richards.
"We have to have a bigger effort Saturday," said Mudbugs captain Dan Wildfong, who scored twice Friday despite arriving to the CTC five minutes prior to the faceoff. "I don't think we played well Friday at all. We have to play better defense. We've been running and gunning too much. That doesn't win in playoffs.
"We'll start honing things in here -- keeping it more simple and not making too many fancy plays."
The Mudbugs could grab a share of the Northeast lead with a win and a Memphis loss to Rocky Mountain. Bossier-Shreveport also stands just three points behind Colorado in the race for the top overall seed.
By Roy Lang III
rflang@gannett.com
The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs got all the help they needed Saturday. The Memphis RiverKings, the leaders in the Northeast Division, lost to Central Hockey League-worst Rocky Mountain and the Colorado Eagles lost to expansion Arizona.
Things appeared to be ducky in the chilly CenturyTel Center, too. The Mudbugs were involved in exactly what they wanted -- a tight, low-scoring affair with the Youngstown SteelHounds.
However, the Mudbugs failed to put the final star in alignment.
Chris Richards scored twice, including the game-winner in a shootout, and the SteelHounds escaped with a 3-2 victory in front of a stunned overflow crowd of more than 7,600 at CTC.
The long bright spot was the Memphis loss and the Mudbugs’ presence at the top of the division. For four months, Bossier-Shreveport (33-12-6) has been trying to claw out of a hole in the Northeast Division. Saturday, it reached the surface.
Bossier-Shreveport is also just two points back of Colorado for the top overall seed.
“We took the point out of it, at least we tied Memphis,” Downs said. “We did some good things – play two good periods at least, we were a bit rusty in the first, but we battled for our point.”
Youngstown goaltender Brad Roberts was incredible in net with 25 saves, plus four of five in the shootout, and soured a two-goal performance from Mudbugs defenseman Jeremy Downs.
The loss was the first in 11 games for Mudbugs rookie goaltender John DeCaro, who made 22 saves and two of four in the shootout.
Shaun Landolt scored on the SteelHounds’ first attempt in the shootout and the game ended when Mudbugs captain Dan Wildfong couldn’t muster a shot as the team’s fifth shooter. Daniel Pegoraro was the only Mudbug to beat Roberts in the shootout.
The Mudbugs were plagued by an inordinate amount of turnovers in the middle of the ice – particularly in its own zone.
“We weren’t as sharp as we’d like to be, there’s no question about it,” Muscutt said. “We’ve just been playing well lately and maybe we’re trying to put the cart before the horse and got away from our game a little.”
The final 90 seconds of the overtime were hectic. Roberts stood strong, making several saves during a flurry in front of the net. He robbed a Chris Abbott forehand attempt with a minute to go.
“That’s our game plan – clog up the middle, keep everything to the outside and let the goalies make the saves outside,” Youngstown head coach Kevin Kaminski said. “Roberts has shown some poise and has really matured since the start of the season. He’s given us a chance to win every night and that’s all you can ask for.”
Youngstown, 5-0-1, in its past six games, ended the Mudbugs’ six-game winning streak. The SteelHounds were the last team to defeat Bossier-Shreveport before Saturday.
The Mudbugs hit the road for a game at Tulsa on Tuesday. The game kicks off four straight against the Oilers, who play a pair at CTC on next weekend.
Youngstown caught a bit of a break to score the game’s first goal – a power play tally late in the first period.
Stephen Margeson attempted a slap shot from the point, but nearly whiffed. The puck trickled toward Mudbugs forward Daniel Pegoraro, who seemed to be caught off guard by the off-speed puck. The rookie missed his clearing attempt and the puck went right to Chris Richard’s tape in the slot.
Richards sent a wrister over the blocker of DeCaro and the SteelHounds led 1-0.
“It’s nice to get that first goal on the road, especially against a team that’s been hot,” Kaminski said.
The Mudbugs had a power-play chance of their own late in the first period, but Roberts made one of the best saves of the year.
The netminder stopped Cam Abbott on a breakaway with a last-second leg save to his right.
The Mudbugs shut Youngstown down in the second period. After allowing 11 SteelHounds shots in the first, Bossier-Shreveport gave up only four in the middle period.
The Mudbugs’ offense remained stymied by Roberts until a power-play goal tied the game late in the period.
Defenseman Jeremy Downs let a slapper fly from the blue line and Roberts, who had been spectacular all night, let it through with 4:57 left.
Dallas Anderson skated into the Mudbugs’ zone down the left wing and used his 6-foot-6, 228-pound frame to work around defenseman Ryan Fairbarn and issue a shot on DeCaro. The rookie goalie wasn’t able to control the puck and Brad Patterson was there to chip in the rebound 4 minutes into the third period.
With nine seconds left in a power play midway through the third, the Mudbugs tied the score at 2 when Downs set another slap shot into the Youngstown net.
The defenseman doubled his goal output for the season. His two previous goals came against Odessa on Dec. 30.
The Mudbugs were awarded a power play with 2 minutes left in regulation, but were unable to capitalize.
Roberts made a pad save on a rocket from Chris Brassard with 5 seconds left.
YOUNGSTOWN UP 1-0 AFTER ONE
Youngstown caught a bit of a break to score the game’s first goal – a power play tally late in the first period.
Stephen Margeson attempted a slap shot from the point, but nearly whiffed. The puck trickled toward Mudbugs forward Daniel Pegoraro, who seemed to be caught off guard by the off-speed puck. The rookie missed his clearing attempt and the puck went right to Chris Richard’s tape in the slot.
Richards sent a wrister over the blocker of DeCaro and the SteelHounds led 1-0.
The Mudbugs had a power-play chance of their own late in the first period, but Roberts made one of the best saves of the year.
The netminder stopped Cam Abbott on a breakaway with a last-second leg save to his right.
WILDFONG ON TIME TODAY
Captain Dan Wildfong is at the rink today, on time. Last night, an immigration issue in New Orleans left him at the rink's doorstep at 7 p.m., five minutes before the faceoff against Rocky Mountain.
DECARO VS. ROBERTS
John DeCaro, after a game off due to the return of Ken Carroll, gets the start between the pipes tonight for the Mudbugs. Brad Roberts will start for Youngstown.
The Mudbugs enter the game on a six-game win streak while the SteelHounds are 4-0-1 in their past four games.
PREVIEW OF TONIGHT'S GAME
The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs look to continue their hot play tonight against Youngstown at CenturyTel Center (7:05 p.m.). Ken Carroll made his return between the pipes Friday, but rookie John DeCaro will play tonight.
The SteelHounds defeated Memphis, the Northeast Division leader, last night in overtime while the Mudbugs were forced to come back three times to defeat CHL-worst Rocky Mountain at CTC.
The Mudbugs will try to avoid the quick pace of Friday's game at all cost tonight. Youngstown brings the CHL's top two scorers to town in Jeff Christian and Chris Richards.
"We have to have a bigger effort Saturday," said Mudbugs captain Dan Wildfong, who scored twice Friday despite arriving to the CTC five minutes prior to the faceoff. "I don't think we played well Friday at all. We have to play better defense. We've been running and gunning too much. That doesn't win in playoffs.
"We'll start honing things in here -- keeping it more simple and not making too many fancy plays."
The Mudbugs could grab a share of the Northeast lead with a win and a Memphis loss to Rocky Mountain. Bossier-Shreveport also stands just three points behind Colorado in the race for the top overall seed.
posted by Roy Lang III at 6:21 PM
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