3/31 MUDBUGS VS. WICHITA GAME 2

BUGS WIN IN 2ND OVERTIME
Jason Williamson pitched a shot from Ryan Fairbarn 5:42 into the second overtime to give the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs a 2-1 victory in Game 2 of the Central Hockey League Playoffs. He was also assisted by Cam Abbott. Rookie John DeCaro was brilliant in net stopping 55 of 56 shots between the pipes. Wichita's Jon Harrell was the hard luck loser allowing just two of 38 past him. The victory evens the series at 1-1 in the best of seven series. Games 3,4 and 5 will be played in Wichita beginning Wednesday.

FIRST OVERTIME
Thanks to the four minute power play against the Mudbugs, Wichita outshot the Bossier-Shreveport 14-12 in the first overtime. There was plenty of pushing and shoving but no major fights broke out. John DeCaro and Jon Horrell continued to play exceptional in net as the score remained 1-1.

OVERTIME PENALTY
Joe Ori was whistled for high sticking and drew a 4:00 minute penalty at 8:22 into the overtime. Wichita's Troy Barnes was the recipient of the stick to the mouth. John DeCaro was brilliant in net against the power play, allowing nothing past him.

FANS GET THEIR MONEY'S WORTH
The 4,669 fans in attendance got their money's worth with an extra period. The two teams skated to a 1-1 tie in regulation after going scoreless in the final two periods. Bossier-Shreveport outshot Wichita 34-22, including 11-3 in the third period.

BUGS STEP IT UP
Intensity got a little higher from both teams in the second period. There were several minor skirmishes that didn't draw penalties. However, the Mudbugs outshot Wichita 15-3 and have outshot the Thunder 24-18 through two periods with the score remaining 1-1.

FIRST ROUND MULLIGAN
Both Laredo and Bossier-Shreveport will both advance to the second round of the CHL playoffs whether they win or lose their round series. It's a new CHL rule this year that was passed unanimously by the owners to generate more revenue. It may keep the top seeds around for one more round, but it's a joke. Even Mudbugs fans think it's a bad idea, according to a Times online poll. Apparently, the team that HAS to win has more incentive. Wichita upset the Mudbugs while Rio Grande Valley knocked off Laredo last night even though the winners were No. 6 seeds.

HOOLA HOOP QUEEN
Audrey Bergeron, daughter of pilates instructor Catherine Bergeron, got more than the usual applause during the first intermission. Audrey, a first grader at St. Joseph's Elementary, delighted the crowd with at least five minutes of hoola-hooping. She was accompanied by drummer Greg Clifford, a sixth grader.

CROWD BACK IN THE GAME
Bossier-Shreveport's crowd, mostly silent Friday night, came to life first period tonight--especially when Joe Ori beat Wichita's Jon Horrell to his glove side. Karlis Zirnis and Daniel Pegoraro dug the puck out of the corner and slid the pass to Ori just in front of the crease. That evened the score at 1-1 17:49 into the first period.

WICHITA STRIKES FIRST AGAIN
Darren McMillan provided the quick lightning strike for the Thunder 6:21 into the first period on a rebound power play goal. The Mudbugs got the game's first three penalties whistled against them--including two by Brian Sutherland.

PESKY PINCH HITS AGAIN
I hope it isn't bad luck for the home team, but for the second straight night Pesky Hill will be doing Roy Lang's Mudbugs game blog. Roy will be handling color commentary on 710 KEEL Radio along with play-by-play voice Justin Scholtes.

DECARO IN NET
Rookie sensation John DeCaro, All-CHL and Goaltender of the Year, is between the pipes tonight for Bossier-Shreveport. The 6-3, 210-pounder gets the nod over veteran Kenny Carroll, who had a tough game in the 5-1 loss on Friday night.