The Shreveport Mudbugs (5-7-3) only were able to generate 17 shots on goal and fell short to the Lone Star Brahmas, 3-2 Friday night at Nytex Sports Centre.
Shreveport got off to a sizzling start as they capitalized on their first PP of the game as Johnny Hallard smoked in his first goal as a Mudbug from the LW circle top shelf to give the Bugs the early 1-0 lead at 8:31 of the opening period. Lone Star came back at 18:52 on a perfect tic-tac-toe play which found Frankie Ireland tapping in his sixth tally of the season from the short side to even the score, 1-1. The Brahmas led in SOG, 9-6 after one.
Lone Star would go ahead at 10:23 of the 2nd period as Dylan Smith would squeeze in his fourth goal of the year on an innocent shot from the LW circle to give the Brahmas their first edge of the night at 2-1. The Bugs were shut down offensively for most of the middle frame as they only mustered three shots on net. Lone Star led in SOG, 18-9 after two periods.
A controversial goal occurred at 9:30 of the 3rd period when there was traffic in front of Simon Bucheler’s net and it was Matt McDonald who jabbed in his first goal of the season to push the Brahmas lead to 3-1. The Bugs felt deflated after that, but were able to muster a greasy goal in front Austin Brimmer who swept in his fifth goal of the year at 17:57. Jacob Onstott and Davis Goukler earned the helpers as the Bugs had a ray of life. Shreveport was unable to generate any game-tying goal chances as fell to Lone Star, 3-2.
The Bugs have now dropped six out of their last seven contests.
The Bugs and Brahmas will conclude this rivalry series tomorrow night at the Nytex Sports Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.