DeCaro forced to mask pain of latest mishap

By Roy Lang III (courtesy of www.shreveporttimes.com)

John DeCaro was the master of deception Tuesday night. Fitting, considering this is a guy who makes a living wearing a mask.
  
DeCaro strolled through the CenturyTel Center smiling, shaking hands and signing autographs during the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs' dominating victory over Colorado in the Northern Conference Semifinals.

Following the win, which gave his team a commanding 3-0 series lead, DeCaro exited the Mudbugs' locker room with a grin.

Soon his defense mechanism had run its course — he knew the questions were coming.

In reality, DeCaro was speechless, and a bit lost. For the second time in a year, a freakish injury derailed his hockey career.

"It was the worst thing that could have happened," he said.

Instead of preparing for tonight's game, DeCaro was prepping for surgery. He successfully went under the knife Wednesday as doctors repaired his most recent injury, an excruciating tear of his right groin suffered Saturday.

"It was unbelievable pain," DeCaro said. "The popping was the tear. I wanted to puke in my mask. I can't explain how painful it was."

The feeling of sickness hasn't subsided much.

He was unable to ask the doctor performing the surgery any questions during consultation because he was "in shock."

Last year, DeCaro suffered his first broken bone when he took a puck off his collarbone in practice just before he believes a dream was about to become true — a call-up to the NHL.

Perhaps the curse that followed the New Orleans Saints moved onto this 27-year-old from Marysville, Wash.

"I don't even know," he said shaking his head. "Last year was the first thing that ever happened to me. It's frustrating, but what are you going to do."

Particularly frustrating was the loss of potential redemption for DeCaro. Despite posting mind-boggling regular-season numbers during most of his three-year tenure with the Mudbugs, DeCaro still felt he had plenty to prove.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder entered the playoffs with a 2.20 goals-against average and an equally sparkling .927 save percentage during his three regular seasons in teal and purple.