DeCaro Stops 49 as \'Bugs Survive PrairieThunder

Published on March 19, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BLOOMINGTON, IL - John DeCaro turned aside 49 shots to tie for the third-most saves in team history to backstop the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to a 4-2 victory over the Bloomington PrairieThunder Saturday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Bossier-Shreveport now stands at 36-25-3 after the win and will close the regular season with a home-and-home set against the Odessa Jackalopes beginning Friday night at the CenturyTel Center.

The Mudbugs built 3-0 lead Saturday on goals from Travis Clayton, Justin Aikins and Andy Contois, but Bloomington roared back in the third to cut the lead to one. DeCaro refused to allow the equalizer however, setting a new career high with 49 saves by the time the game ended.

Neither team had many shots in the early going before the Mudbugs notched the game's first goal at 7:40. With Jeff Kyrzakos and Shawn Limpright pressuring the puck behind the Bloomington net, Travis Clayton intercepted a clearing attempt up the middle and wristed it over the shoulder of Marco Emond to give Bossier-Shreveport the 1-0 lead. John DeCaro maintained that lead with a number of tough saves as the ‘Bugs were outshot 15-10 in the opening frame.

Bloomington skated to a 16-9 shot edge and had three powerplays in the second period, but was held of the board once again. DeCaro made a spectacular save during one of those powerplays to keep the ‘Bugs ahead 1-0, sliding across his crease on a back-door play to stone Justin Williams with his right pad.

The Mudbugs then added to the lead at 11:51 when Justin Aikins got a feed from Steven Crampton and made his way into the slot before backhanding a perfect shot into the top corner. The visitors extended the lead to 3-0 just over one minute later as a Bloomington scoring chance turned into a 2-on-1 break for Bossier-Shreveport. Brett Smith fed a pass across to Andy Contois on the play before Contois beat Emond stick-side the put the ‘Bugs on top 3-0 heading into the final period.

Bloomington was far from done however, getting on the scoreboard when Jason Williams tapped in a pass from Bill Bagron at 3:32. John Snowden then cut the Mudbugs' lead to 3-2, throwing a sharp-angle shot on net that snuck between DeCaro's skates just two minutes later. The PrairieThunder sent 20 more shots on net in the third period, but DeCaro would not be beaten again before Steven Crampton salted away the win with an empty net goal in the waning seconds.

A career night served as a fitting way for DeCaro (20-11-1) to reach the 20-win mark for the fourth time as a pro. Bloomington finished with a 51-23 shot advantage as the ‘Bugs surrendered more than 50 shots in the game for the first time since November of 2008. Marco Emond (24-14-2) stopped 16 shots but took the loss before being relieved in the third period by Brad Phillips. Bossier-Shreveport finished 0 for 3 on the powerplay, but held the PrairieThunder off the board on all five of their opportunities.

The ‘Bugs will now have five days off before next Friday's regular season home finale against the Odessa Jackalopes Friday at 7:05 pm at the CenturyTel Center. After facing the Jackalopes and celebrating "Fan Appreciation Night" on Friday, the Mudbugs will conclude the regular season in Odessa next Saturday.

Group tickets and Mudbugs playoff packages are available now through the team office at 752-BUGS. Individual tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700, online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the CenturyTel Center main box office. Visit www.mudbugshockey.com for all the latest team news and information.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2011


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