The Shreveport Mudbugs (35-10-6) couldn’t hold a lead going into the third period and came up short to the Lone Star Brahmas, 3-2 Friday night at the Nytext Sports Centre.
The Bugs battled through a rough start to the game to score the game’s first goal. It was a pretty effort from Dawson Sciarrino who raced into the offensive zone and put a slick backhand feed in front which was shoveled home from Gio Procopio to give Shreveport the early 1-0 lead at 8:50 of the 1st period. Sciarrino and Mason McCormick officially got the helpers on Procopio’s 17th tally of the season. The Bugs would extend their lead as Matt Vermaeten swept in a juicy rebound five-hole for his 11th goal of the year at 14:09 to make it a 2-0 lead for the road team. Sean Bunting and Adam Kolcon set up Vermaeten’s goal and earned the assists on the play. Lone Star would come back with a goal from Alex Konovalov on the PP at 19:34 to cut the Bugs’ lead in half 2-1. The Brahmas led in SOG, 13-6 after one.
A lustless second period for both teams saw the Bugs muster just five shots in the frame, but cling to their 2-1 lead thanks to timely saves from Cole Hudson.
Lone Star rallied in the third and tied the game at 5:18 of the third period when Zach Purcell pounced in a rebound in front to tie the game, 2-2. The Brahmas then would break the tie on the PP with just seven minutes left in the game when Brady Smith banged in his first goal of the season from the point to make it a 3-2 Lone Star lead.
The Bugs tried to tie the game, but Graham Burke made some big saves to hold off a late surge from Shreveport.
The Bugs and Brahmas will conclude their two-game series tomorrow night from the Nytex Sports Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.