Mudbugs Complete Season Sweep of Thunder
February 5, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - Justin Aikins had three points and the Mudbugs scored two third-period powerplay goals as Bossier-Shreveport beat Wichita 4-3 on Tuesday night at the CenturyTel Center. The victory was the Mudbugs' third over the Thunder in the past five days and swept the four-game season series for Bossier-Shreveport.
Aikins recorded a goal and two assists, Elias Godoy had a goal and an assist and Kevin Cooper had two helpers in a game that saw John DeCaro break the All-time CHL record shutout streak by an individual goaltender. By going 2:02 into the contest without allowing a goal, DeCaro broke Shawn Silver's league record of 222:01 without allowing a goal.
DeCaro didn't get to enjoy the moment for long though, as Wichita would notch a powerplay goal to end the league-record shutout streak at 222:41. Todd Paul scored his fifth goal of the year as the Thunder took the 1-0 lead just 2:41 into the game. Wichita then killed off 1:31 of 5-on-3 powerplay time for the Mudbugs to maintain their lead. Bossier-Shreveport would end up with an 18-10 shot advantage but a one goal deficit after one period.
The score remained the same through much of the second before the 'Bugs could break through the tie the game. Aikins and Cooper worked the puck behind the net where it appeared Wichita was about to gain control when Cooper poked it to a wide open Godoy in the slot. Godoy wristed his 13th of the year past Bill Zaniboni to make it a 1-1 game. Minutes later on a delayed penalty against the Thunder, Bossier-Shreveport took its first lead of the night. Aikins stuffed in his ninth of the season on a second chance during a flurry in front of the net with the extra attacker on. The goal, which was changed to Aikins after being initially credited to Quade Lightbody, put Bossier-Shreveport on top heading into the final period.
The Mudbugs increased their lead with a pair of 5-on-3 powerplay goals just 1:16 apart in the third. First it was Brett Smith from Godoy and Dale Lupul to put the 'Bugs up 3-1 at 12:11. Wichita 's bench minor for Abuse of Officials put the Mudbugs back on the two-man advantage, where Ryan Fairbarn would score from Daniel Pegoraro and Aikins. With Bossier-Shreveport rolling by a score of 4-1, the Thunder didn't quit. Wichita 's Alex Goupil scored at 15:19 and then again with the net empty at 19:12 to cut the Mudbugs' lead to one. At the final horn though, the 'Bugs held on to win their 18th consecutive home game and increase their streak to 23 straight games without a regulation loss.
DeCaro made 26 saves on his record setting night that also earned him his 18th win of the season. Zaniboni stopped 43 shots in the loss as the Mudbugs reached 50 shots for the second game in a row, outshooting the Thunder 52-29 for the night. Bossier-Shreveport converted 2 of 6 powerplays, while Wichita was 1 for 4.
Up next for the Mudbugs is another set of three games in three days this weekend. Friday night they will be back at the Ford Center trying to complete a season sweep of the Oklahoma City Blazers at 7:35 before playing a home-and-home series with Texas . The 'Bugs and Brahmas will clash on Saturday night at CenturyTel Center and again on Sunday afternoon in North Richland Hills, Texas. Friday night's game can be heard live on 1130 AM KWKH with pregame coverage starting at 7:15 and will be shown live on the CHL Network.
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