STEELHOUNDS Bossier-Shreveport gains in standings

Youngstown lost its second straight one-goal game.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Stellar play by Bossier-Shreveport goaltender John Decaro on Saturday has the Youngstown SteelHounds beginning to lose sight of their Northeast Division rivals in the standings.
Despite seven power-play chances in the second period alone, the SteelHounds couldn't get the puck past the Mudbugs goalie until late in the game, enabling the Mudbugs to leave town with a 2-1 victory, a weekend sweep and a six-point lead in the Central Hockey League standings.
Stops were difference
"Making that extra big save was the difference again tonight," SteelHounds coach Kevin Kaminski said after his team lost its second-straight one-goal game. "He stole another game for them.
Trailing 2-0 with 3:50 to go, Garrett Larson scored an even-strength goal for the SteelHounds, assisted by CHL scoring leaders Jeff Christian and Chris Richards.
Late in the game, Mudbugs defenseman Quade Lightbody was whistled off for elbowing, giving the SteelHounds one last power play.
But the Mudbugs' Daniel Pegoraro came closest to scoring, stealing the puck at the blue line, pulling goalie Brad Roberts out then knocking the puck against the side of the net.
The SteelHounds finished 0-14 on the power play.
Undisciplined play early on cost the SteelHounds a chance to gain ground in the pursuit for a top playoff berth.
"We talked to them all week about being mentally prepared, mentally tough," Kaminski said. "We played 20 minutes out of 60. That's all we played and that doesn't cut it."
Special teams play dominated the first period as the SteelHounds were penalized eight times (21 minutes) and the Mudbugs six times (15 minutes).
Best chances
The SteelHounds' best scoring chance early on came shorthanded when Tab Lardner stole the puck in the Mudbugs' zone, but Decaro casually pushed aside Lardner's backhand shot.
Late in the period, the Mudbugs grabbed a 1-0 led when Pegorano fed Jason Basile a pass in the slot on a two-on-one break and a low shot beat Roberts.
The Mudbugs capitalized on their next power-play chance. Moments after Roberts made as big save on Joe Ori, Chris Abbott slapped the puck into the net past Roberts with 37 seconds remaining in the opening period. Setting up the goal were Jeremy Downs and Jason Williamson.
Penalty time evened out by the end of the second period as the Mudbugs were penalized eight times (27 minutes) compared to the SteelHounds' five punishments (21 more minutes).
Despite earning six minutes fewer in penalties, the SteelHounds weren't able to beat Decaro with the dozen shots they took in the second period.
"We're standing around waiting for someone else to do it," Kaminski said.
williams@vindy.com