It had been a while since Mudbug Nation had been able to see goaltender Ryan Munce in action thanks in large part to the outstanding play by John DeCaro as he is 10-4 in the post-season and a big reason the ‘Bugs are back in the CHL Finals for the first time since 2006.

But the ‘remember me’ did not take long as Munce has been in net for the last game and a half, arguably the two biggest games this season and quite possibly in the history of the team.

The Mississauga, Ontario native had not seen action since May 1st in a relief appearance versus Allen and had not started a game since Game 1 of the Berry Conference Semi Finals versus Tulsa, a 5-4 overtime loss.  DeCaro had started 12 straight games.

On Thursday, Munce entered the game midway into the second period with his team trailing 4-2 but he stopped all 13 shots he faced giving his team a chance to get back in the game and eventually come away with the 5-4 overtime win against the Colorado Eagles evening their best-of-7 series at two wins apiece.

That effort earned the 6-2, 185-pound goalie a start in Game 5 and he responded making 32 saves and watching his offense erupt in front of him for seven goals in the 7-2 blasting.

The scene now shifts to Colorado where the environment will be as hostile as Munce has seen in his pro career and his response is yet to be seen.  But the bottom line is that one more stellar performance and he will forever be etched in Mudbugs history as the guy who won the last three games in the Finals to push his team to their fourth championship.

Game 6 is set for Wednesday night at the Budweiser Events Center with face-off set for 7:05 PM MT.