The Shreveport Mudbugs continue their home dominance by powering past the Amarillo Bulls, 3-1 Friday night at Georges Pond at Hirsch Coliseum in front of another packed crowd.
The Bugs and Bulls went scoreless after one period of no grade-A scoring chances. Shreveport and Amarillo were tied 9-9 in SOG after one period of play.
The Bugs broke the scoreless at 3:03 when Matthew Smoliga kept the puck in the offensive zone and threw it at the net for his first goal of the season giving Shreveport the early 1-0 edge. Andrew Jackson followed at 5:46 as he took a rebound opportunity and roofed it from the far circle for his fourth goal of the year extending the Bugs’ advantage to 2-0. Jack Johnson and Jacob Skolnik grabbed the assists on Jackson’s goal. Shreveport led 2-0 after two periods of play.
The Mudbugs used the momentum gained in the 2nd and powered into the 3rd period with a fury. Shreveport got their powerplay unit going as Jackson banged in his 2nd goal of the night with traffic in front of the net. C.J. McGee and Gueorgui Feduolov earned the assists on the PP tally at 4:05. The Mudbugs were in control at that point leading 3-0. Amarillo scored their first goal at 6:39 breaking Maiszon Balboa’s shutout bid.
Shreveport goes to 3-0 at Georges Pond and Balboa made 35 saves to grab his first win in a Bugs uniform.
The Mudbugs and Bulls will complete their two-game set tomorrow night at Georges Pond in Hirsch Coliseum, Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.