The Shreveport Mudbugs (3-4-2) got timely goals and superb veteran goaltending to lead the way to a 3-1 victory over the Odessa Jackalopes Friday night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.
Shreveport got on the board early at 4:57 of the first period when Captain Garrett Steele redirected home a shot from the right point by Matt Danziger to give the Bugs a 1-0 edge. It was Steele’s third goal of the campaign assisted by Danziger and Ryan Burke. The two-time Robertson Cup Champs led 13-12 in SOG after an entertaining opening period.
Odessa responded at 10:13 of the 2nd period when Emerson Goode shot in his third tally of the season from the left circle to even the score, 1-1.
The game stayed tied 1-1 until Sutton Murray got in deep and was able to backhand home his first goal of the season at 8:55 of the 3rd period. Eric Vitale and Nick LeVasseur earned the helpers on the eventual game-inning tally. Shreveport would put the icing on the cake when Logan Valkama would slap home the EN goal at 19:38 to seal up a 3-1 victory over the Jacks.
Simon Bucheler was sharp in his first game of the season making 22 saves on the night to earn the win in net.
The Bugs and Jacks will conclude their two-game series tomorrow night from George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.