Novembre 20, 2007 Mudbugs 2, IceRayz 1

First period: Eh, not too much to be happy about, I guess they’re just warming up. Second period: Yes! There’s a Mudbugs team out on the ice! Third period: HUH???

My comment at the end of the game as Toby and Willie were seranading the fans: Is it weird, that even though we won, I'm still ticked?

Corpus Christi has talent on their team, but, like the Mudbugs lately, just haven’t been able to convert a game into a win. Most impressive IceRay: Watters. Biggest disappointment: Blaznek. Biggest Thief in the building: IceRayz goalie Tapp, who committed a felony in robbing Daniel Pegoraro of his penalty shot. Our jaws were still open 5 minutes later.

The Bugs hit the road in the Black Pearl last night on their way to take on the Steelhounds this weekend. Some advice (take it or leave it) from l'il ole me....

Memo from a fan: Words and phrases to meditate on as you travel to Youngstown:

1. Proactive (the opposite of reactive): Don’t wait for the puck to come to you (or for the other guy to get it first). Give it to the opposing goalie, as many times as possible.

2. Finish your checks: Put a body on a guy, PLEASE! After a while they will get tired of being smashed. Right?

3. Tenacity: see also “Smith, Brett”. Work those corners like a, er, ahhh, um... a snake oil salesman who's down to his last nickel. Yea, that's it, a snake oil salesman...

4. Killer instinct: No more Mr. Nice Guy. No more 1 goal wins. Stab ‘em in the heart, then rip it out. (Graphic, yes. Necessary, of course.)

5. Consistency: Do what the Coach tells you to do! ON EVERY SHIFT! He's been there, done that, has a t-shirt, and championship rings to show for it.

6. Garbage goal: The ugly goals still count, guys, we don’t care how they go in. (Neither does Ian Croft, apparently. Just ask Ryan Held of Mississippi.)

7. Sticks on the ice: Allows you to intercept passes, which in turn can become scoring opportunities. I can't tell you how many times I yell this at games (part one).

8. Man in front of the net: gets chances at a rebounding puck (see next entry) or a sneaky, Karlis Zirnis-between-the-legs, no-look pass. I can’t tell you how many times I yell this at games (part two).

9. Rebounding puck: When a goalie gives you a second chance. These are good, go get these.

10. Confidence: Three T’s and a C: Teamwork, Trust, Tenacity, Control.

As my friend V likes to yell, “C’mon Bugs, YOU CAN DOOOO IT!”