The Shreveport Mudbugs (5-4) just couldn’t generate much grade A scoring chances as they fell to the Springfield Jr. Blues, 1-0 Friday night at the Nelson Center in Springfield, IL.
Both teams traded some quality scoring chances, but there was no scoring from either side in the opening period. Shreveport had the only PP chance in the period.
Springfield broke through at 5:40 of the 2nd period on their first powerplay opportunity when Danila Larionovs shot in his third goal of the season from the LW circle which beat the blocker side of Maiszon Balboa making it a 1-0 contest. Shreveport out-shot the Blues, 25-21 after two periods, but couldn’t get anything past Ryan Wilson.
The Mudbugs peppered Blues goalie Ryan Wilson all night totaling 37 shots on him, but couldn’t find the game-tying tally. Wilson got the shutout and Balboa suffered his first loss of the season despite making 25 stops in the game.
The Bugs and Blues will conclude their two-game series tomorrow night at the Nelson Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.