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.

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.

11/20 (W) MUDBUGS 2, RAYZ 1

READ ABOUT MUSCUTT'S TIRADE:
http://shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071121/SPORTS0303/711210355/1001/SPORTS

Game recap:
http://shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071121/SPORTS0303/711210352/1033/SPORTS0303

MUSCUTT NOT PLEASED TO SAY THE LEAST
Just a couple excerpts from Scott Muscutt's post-game interview Tuesday. Of course fans will wonder why the story isn't all bubble gum and roses tomorrow ... at least this guy -- a pretty important one at that -- understands.

"The complacency and the stuff we do in the third period – we just insist on rolling the (expletive) dice out there. It’s not acceptable."

"The third period against Mississippi was the best third period I’ve seen the team play in seven year. Tonight we did exactly the opposite. Not one guy, not two guys – every (expletive) guy."

"This is the first time we’ve done something like that. That was ridiculous. That was the worst period of hockey we’ve played this year – bar none."

Check out Wednesday's editions of The Times for the complete story.

WHAT'S WITH THE THIRD PERIOD??
The Mudbugs still lead, but they are doing everything in their power to give the Rayz a chance. There is no official count, but I'm guessing the Mudbugs have turned the puck over more in this period than they did the first two combined.
Still, if they escape, a win is a win.

BIG KILL ENDS 2ND
The Mudbugs are 5 second away from killing off Corpus' fourth power play of the night.

TAPP MAKES INCREDIBLE SAVE ON PEGORARO PENALTY SHOT
The "most exciting play in hockey" ended poorly for the Mudbugs after Corpus goaltender Jason Tapp made an amazing save on a penalty shot from Daniel Pegoraro. Pegoraro fakes forehand near the slot and got Tapp to the ice, then went backhand into a seemingly wide-open net. Tapp reached back with his glove and snatched the puck out of midair inches before it crossed the line.

BUGS' HARD WORK BEGINNING TO SHOW
The Mudbugs have gotten to just about every loose puck first in this second period. Of course the period started

LET'S GET PHYSICAL
Niko Tuomi took exception to what he thought was his goaltender getting run twice and knocked down Karlis Zirnis from behind. Mudbugs captain Chris Brassard stepped in and the two went for a dance in the Rayz zone. Brassard didn't land much solid but manhandled Tuomi.
Moments later, referee Steve Cruickshank ruled Joe Ori was boarded by Chris Shaffer. Shaffer was given a boarding major and a gamer while Quade Lightbody was assessed an unportsmanlike conduct after it appeared he cross checked Shaffer in the face.
When all is said and done, the Bugs get a 3-minute major, so they can score as many as they can.

BUGS TAKE FIRST LEAD 22 SECONDS INTO 2ND
Brett Smith out hustled his defender to the puck deep in the corner and sent a backward centering feed to Chris Brassard, who tipped it past Tapp. It marks Brassard's first goal since his hat trick in the home opener on Oct. 20.

TWO LAST-PLACE TEAMS?
This is a battle of team in the cellar, but I'm guessing these squads are a bit better than your average cellar-dwellars. The Rayz played a very good period. The play was steady and both teams had scoring opportunities. A 1-1 tie is fitting.

BUGS AVOID DISASTER
Justin Quenneville rings a shot off the crossbar with 41 seconds left in the first period after Bugs goalie John DeCaro gives the puck away at the top of his crease.

BUGS PP LOOKS GOOD, TOO
However, no goal to show for it. Tied late in first.

RAYZ PUTTING ON PP EXHIBITION
Corpus has just one PP goal, but the Rayz two chances with the man-advantage have been spent entirely in the Mudbugs' zone.

ONE SHOT, ONE GOAL
Tyrel Lucas collected the Mudbugs' first shot on goal during a delayed penalty and sent the puck top shelf over Jason Tapp to the game at 1.

RAYS SCORE ON THE PP
Ori's penalty comes back to haunt Bugs as Kevin Watters smacks in a rebound less than 3 minutes in.

CORPUS TAPP-IN IT TONIGHT
Jason Tapp gets the start in net for Corpus tonight and get's run by Joe Ori less than a minute into the game.

DECARO IN NET FOR MUDBUGS
The goaltender carries a two-game shutout streak into tonight's matchup against the Rayz.

CHECK OUT THE MUDBUGS VIDEOS AND BLOGS
Shreveporttimes.com has some pretty good stuff up this week. This week's Tales From the Swamp video has interviews with Scott Muscutt and John DeCaro and a special segment where Brett Smith and Dale Lupul debate The Bachelor finale and Lupul's marital status. Chris Brassard has entered a couple of Captain's Blogs lately, and so has Heidi Bennett, our fan blogger extraordinaire.

11/20 (L) MISSISSIPPI 4, MUDBUGS 2

11/13 (W) BUGS 3, MISSISSIPPI 0

*MORE DETAILS ON LARRY STERLING INCIDENT DOWN BELOW*

READ ABOUT IT
STORY:
http://shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071114/SPORTS0303/711140320/1001/SPORTS

GAMERECAP:
http://shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071114/SPORTS0303/711140320/1001/SPORTS


BUGS WIN; STERLING TO BE TRADED
Early Tuesday, Mississippi suspended goaltender Larry Sterling (without pay) for his actions at a Bossier City hotel.

“The RiverKings are going to deal with it,” McClelland said. “Larry has played well for us. We want to make sure he has an opportunity to go somewhere and play. I’m not going to feed off the rumors and no one knows exactly what happened or what’s going down.”

One thing appears clear: Sterling had played his last game as a RiverKing. He was placed on the team suspension list, which draws a minimum 30-day suspension.

“Unless he’s traded to another team or another league,” McClelland said. “We’re not out to hurt anybody. He’s been good to our organization. We’re going to do the right thing for every party involved.”

SPECIAL TEAMS KEY FOR BUGS TONIGHT
Mississippi is down to 0 for 7 on the power play while the Mudbugs have made the most of their 4 shots on 4 power plays. They are 1 for 4.

DECARO FLASHES SOME LEATHER
After a glove save on Mississippi's Chad Woollard, Mudbugs goaltender John DeCaro raised his glove with the puck to make sure Woollard saw the flashy save. Now if Larry Sterling does that, the Mudbugs fans say he's too cocky and unsportsmanlike.

MISSISSIPPI HAS 6TH PP CHANCE
The Mudbugs shouldn't keep giving this team opportunity after opportunity on the power play, despite the 3-0 lead.

2-ON-1 MEANS 3-0 BUGS
Elias Godoy scored late in the second period to give the Mudbugs a 3-0 lead. Godoy tipped a centering pass from Justin Aikins high above Sebastien Centomo's shoulder and into the top of the net.

PEGS PUTS BUGS UP 2-0
A sweet move by forward Daniel Pegoraro gave the Mudbugs a power-play goal and a 2-0 lead midway through the second period. This kid is on fire since being put on the virtual public chopping block.

MORE HELP FROM AN OFFICIAL GETS THE BUGS A GOAL
A puck bounced off a linesman right to the Mudbugs' Karlis Zirnis while short-handed and Zirnis raced the length of the ice on a 2-on-1 with Brett Smith. Zirnis patiently waited to fire a shot on Sebastien Centomo and the rebound went to Smith, who found the open net midway through the second period.
The Mudbugs have been outplayed, but own a 1-0 lead. Maybe the bad bounces the Mudbugs said they got early in this season are coming back the other way.

RIVERKINGS GET ANOTHER PP
They have controlled the first 6 minutes of the second period. This is a tough team for sure and they seem to love this building.

DIVING?
Paging Wayne Bonney. The Mudbugs just got away with one. Justin Aikins was called for boarding and Mississippi's Sheldon Wenzel was called for diving. Umm, if he was boarded, it's hard not to take a dive. RiverKings fans should write letters now.

POWERLESS
The Mudbugs missed on their one PP chance in the first period to fall to 0 for 32 on the power play for the season against Mississippi. The RiverKings are 4 for 36

SCORELESS AFTER ONE
Mississippi looks like they are winning the battles right now. The only thing between the RiverKings and a lead is Bossier-Shreveport goaltender John DeCaro.
DeCaro stopped 14 shots in the first period.
The RiverKings will have 1:07 remaining on their third power play of the night when the second period begins.

MISS GETS THIRD PP CHANCE

Quade Lightbody off for holding. Mississippi has owned the past 5 minutes, but John DeCaro has kept the game scoreless between the pipes for Bossier-Shreveport.

RIVERKINGS GO RIGHT BACK ON PP
Dale Lupul called for roughing.

STILL SCORELESS
Despite four shots with the man-advantage, the RiverKings don't solve John DeCaro.

MISS. GETS FIRST PP OPPORTUNITY
The Mudbugs collected on shot on their power play. Both goaltenders playing well so far.

BUGS GET FIRST PP CHANCE
Ryan Campbell off for roughing Brett Smith.

GOOD GAME THUS FAR; RIVERKINGS FAR MORE PHYSICAL
The Mudbugs lead on the shot board 4-2 (not sure that's right), but Mississippi is winning the battles in the corner early in this game due to physical hockey. the RiverKings have thrown about 5 hits in the first 6 minutes and the Mudbugs 0.

TYREL LUCAS BACK IN ACTION; TRISTAN FAIRBARN OUT
Well thanks Tristan Fairbarn for your help. After one game of service, it appears Fairbarn is out. Tyrel Lucas, who missed Saturday's win against Austin due to injury, was back in the lineup Tuesday.
The Mudbugs now have 19 active players and one on IR (Jason Campbell).
My guess is Fairbarn will be retained until Kevin Cooper's paperwork is approved.

THERE IS A GAME TONIGHT, TOO
Behind goaltender John DeCaro, the Mudbugs look to extend their three-game winning streak tonight against a team that has won six straight in this building.
Bossier-Shreveport is coming off a 3-0 shutout win against Austin on Saturday night.
The Ice Bats are so terrible, today one unnamed Mudbug said "If we played like that, we'd still be skating."

STERLING SUSPENDED; RUMORS SURROUND INCIDENT
Mississippi goaltender Larry Sterling was suspended (without pay) beginning with tonight's game against the Mudbugs. Apparently, Sterling things didn't go well for Sterling at the team hotel last night in Bossier City.
Visiting teams normally stay at the Roadway Inn off Hilton Drive (near Airline Drive).
I'll assume a beverage or two may have had an effect on this and his supposed broo-haha.
Sebastien Centomo will start between the pipes for the RiverKings.
This is something the RiverKings don't need as they are on a roll right now. You know head coach Kevin McClelland won't tolerate such actions and I doubt thats the guy he tried to tangle with (right, Rajan?).
"After careful discussions with head coach Kevin McClelland, we felt that it would be best for the team and everyone else involved to place Larry Sterling on team suspension," Dave Mattice, director of business operations for the RiverKings said in a release handed out Tuesday night at CenturyTel Center.
Team suspensions are a 30-day minimum (so you can add another player), so it will be interesting to see what happens with this. A team could suspend anyone for just a game or two without signing another player, but obviously the RiverKings need another goalie (and have one tonight), so we'll see what happens.
The RiverKings, unlike their release said early Tuesday, signed goaltender Cody Daniel, not former Mudbug Adam Hanna.

11/10 (W) BUGS 3, ICE BATS 0

READ ABOUT KEN CARROLL'S 22ND SHUTOUT
http://shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071111/SPORTS0303/711110340/1033/SPORTS0303

11/8 (W) BUGS 1, TULSA 0

A HOME WIN!
Joe Ori scores late in the game to give Bossier-Shreveport its first home win in more than seven months.

A BATTLE OF THIRD-PERIOD FUTILITY
The Mudbugs and Oilers have both been outscored 11-3 in third periods this year. Who gives tonight?

ANOTHER CRUCIAL THIRD PERIOD AT CTC
Tulsa has not looked very good. In fact, I can't think of one quality scoring chance before the Oilers' current power play. The Bugs need 2 points tonight.

BUGS STAND STRONG
Now they go on their 4th PP of the night.

BUGS NEED BIG KILL COMING OUT IN THIRD
The Mudbugs need to kill 2:29 left in Darryl Lloyd's 5-minute major penalty for charging late in the second period.
The game is still scoreless, but could change quickly early in the third. Unlike a regular power play, the Oilers can score as many goals as they can during the major penalty.

BUGS HOLD STRONG
The Oilers get no shots on goal during their first power play.

TULSA GETS FIRST PP

THIS GAME IS FLAT OUT BO-RING
There hasn't been one decent hit on either side. This contest -- so far -- is completely reflective of teams with combined records of 3-9-1.

BUGS GET ANOTHER PP
That's 3 for the Bugs and 0 for the Oilers. That darn CHL. It hates Bossier-Shreveport.

PLAYS EVENS OUT; SCORELESS AFTER 1
The Mudbugs started strong, but Tulsa picked up its play as the first period progressed. In the end, it's another scoreless first period at CTC.
These are the types of periods that have come back to bite the Mudbugs. Sooner or later, they have to start taking advantage of their early chances.

WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE
The Mudbugs have clearly outplayed Tulsa in the first 10 minutes. They are outshooting the Oilers 8-4, but the game is still scoreless.

GOOD MOVEMENT, NO PAYOFF ON BUGS' FIRST PP
Three shots on goal, but the game is still scoreless.

FORMER BUG ST. PIERRE BETWEEN PIPES FOR TULSA
Kevin St. Pierre, who was named to the Mudbugs' 10th Anniversary Team, has the start in net for Tulsa tonight.

DECARO IN NET FOR MUDBUGS
Fresh off his -- and the team's -- first victory of the year Saturday in Mississippi, Decaro looks to improve his 1-3-1 record.

TIME TO BREAK THE SLUMP?
The Mudbugs (1-5-1) will attempt to snap a franchise record (in regulation) six-game losing streak at CenturyTel Center tonight against the reeling Tulsa Oilers (2-4).
The Oilers were expected to make waves in the Northern Conference this season with the acquisition of Jeff Christian, but the move certainly hasn't paid off yet.
Christian, the CHL's leading scorer a year ago, has no goals and three assists in the first six games. He is also a minus-8.
Yikes.

11/3 (W) BUGS 3, MISSISSIPPI 1

SOUTHAVEN, MS – The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs won for the first time this season on Saturday night at the DeSoto Civic Center , defeating the Mississippi RiverKings 3-1. Daniel Pegoraro broke a 1-1 third period tie with a shorthanded breakaway goal that proved to be the game-winner.
For the third consecutive meeting with Mississippi and Bossier-Shreveport, the game was scoreless after one period. Just like Friday night’s game at the CenturyTel Center , both teams had numerous power play opportunities in the opening period. The Mudbugs were 0-for-4 with the man advantage in the first, while the RiverKings were 0-for-3. The Mudbugs out shot Mississippi 15-6 in the first.
Scoreless hockey themed most of the second period as well, with the teams exchanging more power plays. At one point in the second period, there were four players from each team in the penalty box at the same time. Then late in the period, it was actually a Mudbugs even strength goal that broke the tie. Kevin Labatte fed Brett Smith for a one-timer in the high slot. Sebastien Centomo made the save for Mississippi , but Justin Aikins was there to pick up the rebound and score his first goal as a Mudbug and give the team a 1-0 lead. Although the shot totals were reversed in the second, 15-6 for Mississippi , Bossier-Shreveport had the one goal lead.
Then in the third period, Bossier-Shreveport was faced with a two-man disadvantage for the fifth time in the past three games. With Dale Lupul and Ryan Fairbarn in the box, Chad Woollard wristed one into the top corner to tie the game at one. The teams traded power plays later in the third without success, and then with under four minutes left, Elias Godoy took a boarding penalty to give Mississippi another man advantage. That’s when Daniel Pegoraro made a great individual play to give the ‘Bugs the lead. As the RiverKings moved the puck just outside their own zone, Pegoraro swooped in and stole it away. The second-year Mudbug moved in on a breakaway against Centomo and went to the backhand to score his second of the season and the game-winner. Joe Ori sealed the deal with an empty netter and the Mudbugs went on the win 3-1.
John DeCaro made 34 saves to earn his first victory of the season, as the Mudbugs were out shot 35-31 in the contest. Bossier-Shreveport was 0-for-7 on the power play while Mississippi went 1-for-10. The Mudbugs are now 1-5-1 on the season while Mississippi falls to 4-2.
Up next for Mudbugs is a home game against the Tulsa Oilers on Thursday evening, but before that, don’t forget to check out Powerplay with Scott Muscutt, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Coaches Show. It will be on Monday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 at Buffalo Wild Wings on the Louisiana Boardwalk and can be heard on the air on AM 1130 KWKH.