Bugs Beat Back the Jacks

Oct 27, 2018

The Shreveport Mudbugs (8-6) battled back from an early hole to take down the Odessa Jackalopes, 5-3 to earn a split this two-game series Saturday night at Ector County Coliseum.
After Odessa netted a pair of goals just 26 seconds apart, Matthew Smoliga responded with a blast from the point that found its way through for his 2nd tally of the year. Smoliga’s goal occurred at 10:35 and was assisted by Jay Feiwell and Gueorgui Feduolov making it a 2-1 Jacks lead. Ethan Harrison stayed hot flipping in his fourth goal in his last three games at 17:01 tying the game up, 2-2. Bradley Jenion and Feduolov earned the helpers on Harrison’s tally. However, the Jacks came right back and netted a goal just 23 seconds after Harrison’s goal to make it a 3-2 contest after one period of play. Odessa led in SOG, 14-10.
The Mudbugs tilted the ice in their favor in the 2nd period and got rewarded with two goals-one minute apart. Jack Jaunich finished for his first goal of the year with a brilliant pass from Jack Johnson at 8:03 evening up the score at 3. Then, Warren Natyshak drove into the offensive zone and threw it in front and Bill Feczko fired home his third tally of the year at 9:03 giving Shreveport their first lead of the game, 4-3. Odessa led in SOG, 27-26 after two periods of play.
The Bugs took all the momentum in the 2nd period and carried it over into the third period nicely. Lukass Sicevs would bury home his first goal and first point of the season at 11:56 when he shot in a puck through traffic on a mess in front of the net making it a 5-3 lead for Shreveport.
The Bugs would go on to win 5-3 over the Jacks to earn a split in this two-game set.
Maiszon Balboa was terrific in net making 35 saves on the night picking up his third straight win of his own.

The Mudbugs will travel back to Amarillo to take on the Bulls for a two-game set starting next Friday night at the Amarillo Civic Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.​