12/26 (W) MUDBUGS 3, TEXAS 0

BUGS LAY THE SMACKDOWN

Texas head coach Dan Wildfong had some choice words after Wednesday's loss. Most are unfit to print. Read Thursday's Times for more.

COOPER MAKES IT 2-0

Kevin Cooper, who was robbed by Cacciola on a breakaway in the second period, got his revenge early 57 seconds into the third when he skated around the entire Texas squad and beat Cacciola.

PLAYSTATION2?

Tonight, the Mudbugs are on "Superstar" level and the Brahmas are on "Rookie." But Cacciola remains strong and the game is still 1-0 Bugs after 2.

The Brahmas amassed all of 3 shots on goal that period -- about the same number of times they had the puck with control in the Mudbugs' zone.

Scratch what I said about this game being intense. Unless intense is spelled t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e.

B-R-U-T-A-L

Texas is playing some mind-numbing hockey right now. No, that's not a good thing. It took 12 minutes into the second period before the Brahmas had control of the puck in the Mudbugs zone.

Cacciola comes up big again to stop Kevin Cooper on a breakaway. Cooper tried to go 5-hole, but Cacciola had had the stick there.

As I'm typing, Cacciola stones Zirnis incredibly.

IF THIS IS ANY INDICATION ...

David Cacciola is the only thing between Texas and a poor record. The Brahmas are terrible in their own zone -- sans Cacciola. The Mudbugs very easily could have 5 goals while I can't remember a quality scoring chance for Texas.

BUGS FAIL ON FIRST PP

With Steve Cruickshank calling the game, there won't be many power-play opportunities. The first came early in the second period, but the Mudbugs were unable to capitilize.

1-0 BUGS AFTER FIRST

The Mudbugs carried the play in the second half of the first period and took a one-goal lead after 20 minutes. The Brahmas look like they miss their sniper Scott Sheppard. Several pucks made their way around the Mudbugs' goal, but Texas never really made John DeCaro work too hard.

On the other end, Cacciola has ben magnificent minus Smith's goal which came on a bang-bang play in the crease.

BUGS STRIKE FIRST

Brett Smith’s tenacity created a turnover and the Mudbugs’ first goal of the game.
Smith’s pressure on a Brahmas defenseman behind the goal line forced a rink-wide pass which was intercepted by Karlis Zirnis.
Zirnis immediately fed a charging Smith, who fought Cacciola for the puck in the crease and punched it home late in the first period.

EVEN SO FAR

Not much hitting, but great goaltending so far. David Cacciola has been put to the test in the Brahmas' net.

CACCIOLA VS. DECARO
Two of the best goaltenders in the Central Hockey League -- and former understudies of Ken Carroll -- are between the pipes tonight.

JUST ANOTHER REGULAR-SEASON GAME? I THINK NOT!
Scott Muscutt and any other Mudbug can tell you this is just another game, but let's be frank. Ain't no freakin way.
Scott Muscutt wants a win against Dan Wildfong and the Brahams. It's plain and simple human nature. No, this game isn't going to DRAMATICALLY alter the outcome of the 2007-08 season, but that doesn't mean it doesn't mean more than your average game.
The Brahmas are loaded with former Mudbugs -- starting with coaches Wildfong and Forbes MacPherson. Muscutt's Mudbugs blew a pair of third-period leads to this team in October.
Sure, it's obvious the Mudbugs are a different team now, and Musky wants to prove it.
It's just a hunch, but this game with have more electricity than any other this season.

THE BLOG RETURNS
Due to a busy stretch, the Mudbugs' GameDay Blog took some time off, but it returns (for you guys downstairs in the video room), at least for tonight's matchup against the Texas Brahmas.