The Shreveport Mudbugs scored timely goals and got timely stops from Dyllan Lubbesmeyer to hold off the Corpus Christi Ice Rays, 5-4 and grab their fifth straight win.
The Mudbugs fell behind early in the 1st period, but responded quickly as Brendan Gysbers fired home his seventh goal of the year off a brilliant pass from Croix Evingson from the left circle to tie the game at 1 at the 15:40 mark of the 1st period. Evingson picked up his 50th point of the season which leads all NAHL defenseman with the assist.
Shreveport exploded in the second when Gybers scored his second goal of the night with an innocent wrist shot which deflected its way past the Ice Rays goalie to give the Mudbugs an early 2-1 at the 3:05 mark of the period. Eriks Zohovs shot home a juicy rebound in front of the net for his 14th tally of the season which put Shreveport up by a pair, 3-1 at the 7:26 mark of the period. Corpus Christi responded with two straight goals from Josh Tripp and we were tied at 3 after two periods of play.
Jackson Hartje lit the lamp midway through the third period to give the Bugs the lead back at 4-3. Cam Cook followed as he took a brilliant feed from Jacob Holmers and fore-handed home his 17th goal of the year which ended up being the game winning goal at the 14:39 mark of the 3rd.
The victory for Shreveport clinches the 2nd seed in the South Division and ensures home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
The Mudbugs and the IceRays will complete their two-game set tomorrow night at Georges Pond tomorrow night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11pm.