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 11130 KWKH.