2/22 (W) BUGS 2, TEXAS 0

TERRIFIC GAME
Friday was the playoffs before the playoffs. Both teams brought their A games. Wildfong's team should be proud, if they keep playing like they did tonight, the playoff spot will be well within reach. On the other side, Scott Muscutt should be thrilled with his team. The Brahmas are fighting for their lives. The fact the Mudbugs, who are pretty much coasting to the No. 1 seed and a division title, can continuously bring this intensity says a lot about this bunch.
Ken Carroll played what I thought was his best game of the year. He is now the No. 1-ranked goaltender in the Central Hockey League.
Jason Campbell was unreal tonight. No. he didn't pile up the points, but he did exactly what he's done for years. He's a damn good hockey player.
Joe Ori: Wow, what a move for the game-winner.
Brett Smith: How does a guy who weighs 150 pounds continually outmuscle opponents? This kid is proof that effort goes a long way.
Jeff Bowerman: The Brahmas' PA guy gets my No. 1 star tonight. He announced the presence of the "Roy Lang Fan Club." 20 seconds later, Ori beat Cacciola for the game-changer. You're welcome Mudbug Nation.

HERE'S THE GAME RECAP:
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080223/SPORTS0303/802230359/1001/SPORTS

AND MY STARS OF THE GAME
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080223/SPORTS0303/80223005/1033/SPORTS0303

ORI DELIVERS
Joe Ori streaked wide of the Brahmas defense down the right wing and beat goaltender David Cacciola to give the Mudbugs a 1-0 lead early in the third period.

FEELINGS ...
Instead of the garbage goal so many of these scoreless games turn on, I think tonight will be determined by a beautiful play. There is so much offensive talent on either side that one turnover could quickly be converted into the game-deciding play. The third period is set to begin ... let's see.

STILL SCORELESS; GODOY GOES DOWN
Mudbugs forward Elias Godoy, who has 17 this season, went down with a knee injury late in the second period. There is no report on the severity of the injury to the first-year Bug.
Otherwise, this has been a tremendous hockey game, despite being scoreless. This is a game fellow CHL hack Greg Rajan would love.

STRONG FIRST PERIOD
The Bugs had Brahmas showcased a wondeful opening 20 minutes. There were plenty of hits and good saves while end-to-end action littered the period. There is no question both teams have some incentive tonight.

CARROLL VS. CACCIOLA
It's a matchup of former Mudbugs teammates and Central Hockey League All-Stars between the pipes.

POULSEN BACK IN ACTIONA definite sign things could get interesting tonight, Scott Muscutt activated Neil Poulsen from leave and the forward will play tonight.
Poulsen has one mission: Beat people up.

BRAHMAS CONFIDENT AGAINST THE BUGS
Texas leads the season series 4-3. The Brahmas are one of two teams to have a winning record against the Mudbugs this season. The other, Rocky Mountain, defeated the Mudbugs in a shootout in their only meeting this season.

THANKS CAPTAIN
Quick story regarding last night before we get to tonight's festivities. Yesteray afternoon, hours before the Mudbugs played Corpus Christi, I saw Mudbugs captain Chris Brassard in the organization's office.
Brassard told me he was going to score a pair for me. Well, how sweet. No. 14 scored twice last night, including the game-tying goal with 2:50 left in the game.
Thanks Chris, my wager that you would score 30 goals this season is back on track.

THE BLOG HAS RETURNED
Well at least for today. I have a feeling this is going to be a game worth blogging about.
I'm in North Richland Hills, Texas, and we're about 10 minutes from faceoff as the Texas Brahmas host the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.