Nov 25 2009
Mudbugs Need Scoring!
Even though the Mudbugs have won 3 in a row and 4 of their last 5 games, I still can’t help but wonder how long the team’s scoring drought is going to last. The Mudbugs are dead last in the league in goals scored with 31, one less than the leagues bottom dwelling Wichita Thunder with 32.
How long can miracle wins, and heroic comebacks last if the scoring doesn’t improve? However they are finding ways to win despite the putrid offensive numbers. And since the doors to the Mudbugs locker room have swung open and closed so much, sending the injured out and bringing the replacements in, I guess that creating any viable chemistry is difficult at best. But not impossible.
Be that as it may, the scoring still has start coming from the forwards very soon as the Mudbugs head into Hidalgo, Texas tonight for a 7:35pm drop of the puck with the Bees.
The Killer Bees (8-5-2=18pts.) are 6-3-0 at home this season, and are 3rd in the Southern Conference one point ahead of the Laredo Bucks (7-3-3=17pts). The Mudbugs are 5-1-0 on the road thus far.
To win, the Mudbugs must tighten up their defense, while keeping the opposing shots on goals down. This can be accomplished by a good solid fore-check in the opponents zone. Which will in turn allow the Mudbugs possession of the puck more, which should offer more scoring chances as well.
Mudbug D Simon Mangos has already having an All- Star season leading the team in scoring with 2G, 8A, while Brett Smith and Joe Zappala lead the team with 4 goals apiece.
The duo of John DeCaro and Kenny Carroll have been arguably the main reason for the Mudbugs success of late. DeCaro stands 9th in the league, while Kenny Carroll sits at 12th.
The pair have had to face an insurmountable number of shots on goal as of late. That just cannot continue if the Mudbugs want keep winning. The Mudbugs were outshot 88-48 in their last two outings against the Mississippi RiverKings last week.
That is asking way too much from your goaltending. Faster puck movement, less turnovers, and a better fore-check are just three of the things that will help if the Mudbugs are to improve their all around game. – (Post Updated – 11/25/09)
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