No Mid-season slump for this team

I apologize for the lack of recent posts. In my susperstitiousness, I held off in posting about the long road trip because I was afraid that I would somehow jinx the team and anger the hockey gods. Plus, plain old life got in the way and I have just been very busy. But these recent two weeks of Mudbugs hockey have opened many eyes, local and league-wide. We've got one heck of a talented hockey team in Bossier-Shreveport!


Bugs/Youngstown series

The three games in three days in Youngstown two weeks ago were quite exciting, with our Mudbugs taking 5 of 6 possible points. The team had three strong games and acquitted themselves when they came back in the third period of the third game to force overtime and the dreaded (at least to my mother and my friend J) shootout.


Bugs/Riverkings' kiddie game

This game occured two days after the OT loss in Youngstown...beginning at 10:30 in the morning, in front of a gazillion (well,it sounded like that many) screaming, thunder-sticking, gyrating kids. Bring on the extra-strength Excedrin. I only got to listen to Justin's broadcast of the last period, but the Mudbugs put on quite a show, with Ken Carroll getting another shut out. Kids, that's how a great hockey team gets it done.

Bugs/Blazers game

Another road game. The boys were home for a day and a half, I think before having to leave again for OKC. If my memory serves me correctly, that was the day it snowed here in NW Louisiana and there was some iffy weather in OKC as well. No worries about the Bugs, though. They continued on their roll, John Decaro getting the second consecutive shutout of the week. The Black Pearl rolled back into town the next morning for the big rematch with the nefarious Laredo Bucks. And boy, were the fans ready for this one.


January 26, 2008
Mudbugs 2 Bucks 1

After the craziness in the LEC back on January 12, Mudbugs fans were eager to voice their displeasure for the southeastern conference's powerhouse Laredo. (Of course, there is that little thing called Game 7 from 2004 that sticks in every Mudbugs' fans' craw.) This game had a definite playoff feel to it from the drop of the puck. the game was much tighter than the one two weeks previous; but we got to see some great hockey that night, the Mudbugs putting the hurt on the faltering Bucks once again, and Coach Roskowski holding his head in his hands. And the electricity stayed on for the whole time. Imagine that.

January 27, 2008
Mudbugs 2 Killer Bees 0

10 shutouts so far this season. John DeCaro and Ken Carroll taking up what seems like permanent space on the CHL Player of the Week/Month wall. Three lines racking up points like a video game genius. A +227 on the plus/minus ratings. A miserly 73 goals allowed to opponents (every other team is 100 or over in this category). A defensive system that has shut down all the league's top teams save one (Rocky Mountain will visit in March). A truly awesome yet "Cheesey" Rock Band video. A coach who, during his post-game shows, looks like a cross between the ever-smiling Cheshire cat and a tap-dancing Savion Glover. A team that has become so "scary-good" that they're scaring me a little, wondering what unbelievable efforts are next?

If you're not a regular visitor to the CenturyTel, you are really missing something special. In looking back to the 2003-04 season, this team's current stats are mind-boggling compared with the last four seasons' Mudbug teams. Roy Lang has done a great job in putting all that in the paper; these kinds of players coming together for this kind of season is a rarity. So I'm telling you, if you want to see a great team having a great time, come out to the CenturyTel Center SOON. The next home game is Tuesday, Feb. 5th against a currently revamped Wichita Thunder team. This team certainly deserves all the love the community can give it. They could be our very own Miracle on Ice.

January 12, 2008 Mudbugs 6 Bucks 2

If you’d told me that the Mudbugs would score 3 goals in the first nine minutes of last night’s game, I’d have laughed you off your seat. These two teams have an angry history with each other. The Bucks are a tough, talented team...who apparently didn’t show up last night. Coach Ruskowski probably had a hard time deciding whether or not to knock some heads of his players or knock his own head against the dressing room wall during the first intermission last night.

All I know is that when the score was 4-1, with half the game left to play, I got VERY worried about what sort of physical hijinks the Bucks would stoop to. I knew better to think they’d play cleanly. When you’re getting run all over your home ice, embarrassed by an “inferior” team in front of your fans, I guess you get angry. I've seen the Bucks do exactly that in past contests with the Mudbugs. And James Hiebert and Andrew Penner decided to go head hunting--literally.

Hiebert has long been a thorn in the Mudbugs’ side. He’s a tough, fiesty, hot-headed, all around pain-in-the- neck forward who has loads of scoring talent. Give him some Prozac and he might actually be a player I could admire. But he’d rather misbehave and cost his team points. I can’t type what I really think of him, it’s a family paper. He thoroughly embarrassed himself, his coach, and his team last night.

Andrew Penner should be suspended for numerous games, if not indefinitely. As I listened to Bugs’ broadcaster Travis Huntington angrily describe Penner’s blatant cross-check from behind to Matt York’s head and then continue to pound him in the head while York was on the ice, I became livid. Penner had been skating all over the ice, trying to provoke trouble, and the Bugs just kept skating away. I have a difficult time believing that the actions of Hiebert and Penner were sanctioned by their coach. York has paid an awful price for playing decent hockey. Too many players across the league have been hurt with head injuries. If the CHL doesn’t see fit to send a message that this sort of behavior is not going to be tolerated, I’m afraid something truly awful will happen to someone this season. Who cares if it’s minor league hockey that’s “entertainment”? These young men deserve to be protected from idiotic behavior.

In last night’s game, the weirdness was there in capital letters. I’ve been to the LEC three times and in each game something bizarre happened. It wasn’t just Game 7 of the 2003-04 Championship, the other two games had some craziness attached. When the power went out at the LEC last night during the second period, the radio broadcast was dropped, the NiftyTv feed went dark, and the Internet pointstreak.com connection went kaput. I thought here we go, someone's pulled the plug because they're getting their butts handed to them. For about 15 minutes we fans were scrambling for news. Just as the radio broadcast returned, the score went up 5-1 and the goon squad emerged.

Our Bugs held tough--not without plenty of bumps and bruises, though. Six different Mudbugs scored goals, a testament to the depth of this team. Congrats to the boys for hanging in there and sticking up for each other. Special congrats go out to Jason Basile for his first goal of the game and of the season. Basile quietly does an amazing job game in and game out, it’s nice to see him lead the team to this victory. Super congrats to the team for its new franchise record of 13 consecutive wins. These boys have just really come together and are playing lights out hockey.

The next few games on the schedule are going to be challenging. 7 games in 14 days. Games against key divisional opponents. Games of possibly a very physical nature. Three back-to-back in Youngstown, a day game with a gazillion screaming kids in Southaven, and a trek out to OKC before the Bugs return home on the 26th to face guess who? The Laredo Bucks. We’ve reached the part of the season that scared me when I saw it on the schedule back in August. It’s gonna be a tough two weeks for this team, but they’ve been in tough spots already this season. They’ll be just fine.

Just a note: The CHL All-Star Game is this week in Broomfield, Colorado. Best wishes to All-Stars Daniel Pegoraro and John Decaro. Enjoy yourselves and have fun, guys!

January 11, 2008 Mudbugs 5 Killer Bees 1

Going into Friday night’s game, the ‘Bugs had a chance to tie the franchise’s longest winning streak at 12. They seemed to have no problem doing that against a floundering Rio Grande team. Kevin Cooper and Brett Smith had two goals each, with Joe Ori adding one of his own to the total. Ken Carroll had a relatively easy night, stopping 22 chances for his 10th straight win.

With the Brahmas' trade of Robin Big Snake to the Bees earlier this week, I was worried that Mr. Snake would try to pick up where he left off--wanting Chris Brassard as a “dance” partner. Thankfully, Big Snake was pretty much a non-factor in the game.

It was almost impossible for me to not look beyond this game to the one in Laredo on Saturday night. The Bucks are currently the cream of the crop in the CHL Southern Conference but have had little success against Northern Conference teams. Even with their league-lead in points, have the Bucks been regularly tested? Don’t think so, but the Mudbugs will certainly challenge them.

January 8, 2008 Mubugs 5 Steelhounds 2

There was something special in the air at the CTC last night. Ever have one of those experiences that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up or that sends shivers up your spine? Well, it happened to me last night during the first period of the hockey game. When Mudbug #14 Chris Brassard scored the first goal of the game (assisted by #41 Brett Smith), Steelhound #14 Chris Richards had 14 seconds left in the sin bin. My friend B marveled over that unusual occurrence. I told her, "Just wait, it gets weirder!" I had gone to a local bookstore before the game to purchase a couple of things, and when the clerk rang up my bill, the total was....$14.14. When I told my friends that, we all pretty much freaked out at that point. Cue the Twilight Zone music, please. (I won't even go into almost getting beaned by a caroming puck...)

Whatever magic was floating around last night, the fact is that Chris Brassard had a 4 point effort and a whale of a game last night. He was in "the zone". And Ken Carroll seemed to have his magic mojo working in top form because he made a save that I swear he never touched. From our angle, we watched the puck zoom toward the net and suddenly, like it had hit an invisible force field, bounce back out. I sure would like to see a replay of that save. Cosmic forces or some unusual planetary alignment, coupled with grit and determination, buoyed the Mudbugs and sank the Steelhounds.

New Mudbug Mike Falk made his debut last night, and while it looked as if he was a bit tenative, he manufactured several very good, solid plays while on the ice with his new teammates. Welcome, Mike!

I'd figured last night's game would be a tough contest, a well-played hockey game that would be decided by one goal. One free 44 ounce (there are those 4's again) Sonic drink later (with sleep deprivation thrown in, thanks to the LSU win), I'm still a little bit fuzzy about last night's vodoo or whatever it was. Maybe it was the fact that the video guys finally showed the whole Rock Band video. Who knows? I do know the Bugs looked really, really good last night. I'd forgotten how big Y'town's players are and was only reminded about that worrisome fact as I watched them in warm-ups. I think I mumbled, "Did these guys grow taller or is it just me?" Watching them come off the ice with red faces and mouths gasping for breath during shift changes made me remember that bigger is not always better. This Bugs team is winning through talent, smarts, and hard work, not physically gooning it up. The Bugs are beating their opponents into submission through speed, skill, and teamwork, not elbows and cheap shots. Oh, they get physical when they must, but it's not their main objective.

It's only January, and Coach says there's much work to be done, but from what I've seen and what he's telling us, awesome, maybe even magical things are still to come for this team and its fans.

January 5 2008 Mudbugs 3 Riverkings 1

14 home wins in a row, 10 consecutive wins in a row. Wowzers! And it gets better:
3 powerplay goals. Did I say powerplay goals? Mudbugs powerplay goals? Yep, three of them. Another almost shut out for the Bugs. Johnny D stood tall, until the third when there was a pile up in front of Decs and literally a dogpile on top of him, and the ‘Kings popped one in. Oh, well. We’ve gotten so used to the shut-outs we’re getting annoyed when another team scores just one goal, haha. (Other teams’ fans are now furious at me for reveling in that “problem”.)

Elias Godoy showed how much he missed the ice by scoring the game winner tonight. Glad to have you back in skates, Goody! We'll forgive you for telling Paul DePuydt where to go, etc.

The Riverkings Diving and Elbowing, er, hockey, team was in top form last night. With the exception of Dumont (my favorite Turtle to watch this season) and Woolard, these shellers looked mighty pooped. Steve Makway obviously didn’t make any New Year’s resolutions to behave himself, and Derek Landmesser should really look into selling real estate on the blue line since he lives there. I saw him actually skate and make an effort on ONE play in the third, otherwise, it’s like he’s out for a Sunday afternoon walk on the ice, just a-roamin’ around, earning his keep at his pace. Then when something goes wrong for his team, he yells at them in the team box. Just ask Stoddard.

And Coach McClelland, Section 119 LOVES you. You just can help but look up and wink at us, can you? Gotta love a coach who muggs with the opposing fans.

Big guy Neil Pouleson made his debut as a Mudbug, and Sheldon Wenzel has a headache to remember him by. Saw Pouleson last night after the game. No swollen knuckles, no gashes or bruises on the face, nothing. Wenzel, on the other hand, had the audacity to bleed on Neil’s new jersey. What a shame. I will refrain from commenting on the Lightbody/Makway scuffle as Makway deserves no more print from me. Quade, you're awesome.

It’s always great to get a win against the Riverkings, but Coach wasn’t too happy with the boys. They let the ‘Kings push them around the first period and didn’t really get into the game until the second, which they played really well. The third was almost a snoozer as they went into d-mode--3 measly SOG--(which I hate, but I understand)and tried to play keep-away with the Turtles. Coach knows that there is plenty of room for improvement, and down the road, things are going to get tougher (and ugly) if the team is happy with its current play.

Bugs are now without the services of Lupul, Zirnis, and d-man Derek Miller who was injured in Friday’s game against the Blazers in a suspicious, possible slew-footing incident. Derek went feet first into the corner boards and had to be helped off the ice. The injuries are coming too quickly and are worrying. It’s tough to play a defensive-type system when you’re short an important d-man. Matt York, however, had another stellar game, even better than his debut last game.

But there is good news: the Mudbugs are now in sole possession of first place in the NE division, thanks to an OT win by Tulsa over Youngstown. THANK YOU, Tulsa! Youngstown comes to the Swamp on Tuesday night, looking to take back that spot. Don’t think the Mudbugs are going to let it happen, though. Mr. Falk may be in a Bugs’ sweater come Tuesday night, and if he’s half as good as I’ve been told, the Bugs are only going to get better.

January 4, 2008 Mubugs 4 Blazers 1

Happy New Year, everyone!

First game of the new year, and Superman does it again...almost. Some folks around me were so sure KC would get the shut-out, they uttered the dreaded word just before there was one minute left in the game. Several of us came unglued when seconds later the Blazers scored, and we could see the Bugs just kinda deflate. They really wanted to help Kenny to get another one.

The other KC on the team, Kevin Cooper put two goals past the big, bad Wolfe, as did Ortmeyer and Fairbarn. Who says d-men don’t score?

The Bugs looked a big slow in the feet during the first half of the game, and Coach was happy with the win, but not necessarily the effort. With this win the Bugs are still tied with Youngstown for first place in the division and the floundering Memphissippi Turtles come to town, having lost both of their road games this week. They’ll be snapping for a win.

New Bug Matt York proved himself by fitting right into the Mudbug system, and his coach was uncharacteristically excited with his effort in the post-game show. Musky “LOVES” this guy. The fans feel the same way. Welcome to the Swamp, Matt!

Special props and shout-outs to the Bugs front office for the “Start up the Bus” video. Very nice. And I can’t say enough about how much we all love the 99X/Bugs Rock Band video. The hockey helmet on Labatte, a shaded Pegs, and Ortmeyer’s hideous plaid pants/tuxedo t-shirt combo are hilarious. Of course, all the puck bunnies can’t get past a shirtless Joe Ori, I don’t think they could tell you who else is in the bit. We’ve been told the end of the video is the best, but the vid guys aren’t giving it enough time to run. C’mon, guys, give us the good stuff!

December 31, 2007 Mudbugs 2 Brahmas 1

Since I missed the “goonfest” (a 6-1, up-yours-old-fashioned whoopin'by the Mudbugs) the previous game due to my attendance at the Stars/Blues game--which the Stars won in a shoot-out, I was clearly hoping for a cleanly played good game. I got my wish, but I was still disappointed in the on-ice antics of certain Brahma players, one in particular. I’ll forgo naming him (name rhymes with tanning.....). The first period was a well-played one, both teams testing each other.

Then things got a little scary for our boys. Lupul took a shot to the back of his head either from an elbow or a high stick behind their goal in the second period and had to be helped from the ice. It was a pretty scary hit, poor Loops was really out of it. The team seriously missed his blue line effort for the rest of the game.

No comment about ref Tudor Floru, other than to say he needs to learn there are numbers other than 8....

Brahmas came out pushing in the third, but the Bugs pushed right back. I had a close up view of Tyrel Lucas’s rocket of a game winner from the blue line. New Brahma goalie Jaeger just kinda sat there with a “Wha’ happened?” look on his face. It was awesome. With 90 seconds to go in the game, the crowd stood and cheered....and I sat chewing on my thumbnails, watching the clock. The action was at the far end of the ice and it was all I could do to watch the seconds tick by. The Bugs prevailed, but not without cost. Loops and Zirnis fell victim to injuries.

We had a nice crowd at NYTEX and we let our boys know we were there. The Brahma fans knew we were there too, as did the on-ice clean up crew. Not sure what they’re gonna do with all that fake poop, but Ernie, you’re da man. Congrats again to NYTEX for putting on a party for all fans after the game. The band was great, and the free party hats and horns were a nice surprise.