Bugs Keep the Streak Alive
Mudbugs' 10th Shutout Ties CHL Record
 
BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs tied the all-time CHL record with their tenth shutout victory of the season, a 2-0 triumph over Rio Grande Valley on Sunday afternoon.  John DeCaro earned his seventh shutout of the season with 28 saves as the Mudbugs won at home for the 17th game in a row.

A pair of second period goals from Joe Ori and Jason Basile were the all offense Bossier-Shreveport would need on their way to tying the CHL shutout record previously shared by the 00-01 Odessa Jackalopes and 04-05 Colorado Eagles.  Now with seven shutouts of his own this season, DeCaro is just one behind the league record of eight, which has been accomplished by four different goaltenders.

The teams played a very entertaining first period that saw good chances both ways.  Rio Grande Valley had a few early chances in the game’s opening minutes that were thwarted by DeCaro, while David Lemanowicz was also sharp for the Killer Bees.  The Mudbugs had a 10-9 shot advantage after the scoreless first period.

The good flow of the contest continued into the second period of play, with both teams continuing to skate and move the puck well.  Bossier-Shreveport finally notched the game’s first goal nearly halfway through the contest to go up 1-0.  Chris Brassard gave the puck to Daniel Pegoraro into the zone, who then sent a shot toward the net that was deflected past Lemanowicz by Joe Ori.  Ori’s 17th goal of the season ties him with Tyrel Lucas for the team lead, and gave Bossier-Shreveport the edge at the 8:46 mark.  Then some great passing on a Mudbugs powerplay led to another goal.  Brassard this time sent the puck across to Brett Smith, who found a wide open Jason Basile streaking into the slot.  Basile picked his spot and beat Lemanowicz with a wrist shot that made it 2-0 for the ‘bugs with less than five minutes remaining in the second.

Bossier-Shreveport continued to play outstanding defensive hockey into the third period, with DeCaro making seven more saves to preserve the shutout and the Mudbugs advanced to 2-0 against the Killer Bees this year and extended their streak to 20 straight games without a regulation loss.

The ‘Bugs finished with a 39-28 shot edge and a 1 for 6 night on the powerplay, while Rio Grande Valley missed on both of their two chances.

The Mudbugs will now get a much needed four days off after playing seven games in the last ten days.  Bossier-Shreveport will travel to Wichita on Friday night for the first of three straight games against the Thunder.  The Mudbugs and Thunder will meet on back-to-back nights at the Kansas Coliseum on Friday and Saturday before returning to CenturyTel for their final regular season meeting next Tuesday in Bossier City .  Both road games this weekend will be broadcast live on 1130 AM KWKH with the pre-game show set to start at 6:45 pm and opening faceoff scheduled for 7:05 pm.