The Shreveport Mudbugs (10-8-3) scored late in the 3rd period and scored the only goal in the shootout to grind out a 2-1 victory over the Lone Star Brahmas on Thanksgiving Eve at the Nytex Sports Centre.
The Bugs and Brahmas had a fast-paced first period and traded good quality scoring chances. Shreveport was 0 for 2 on the powerplay in the opening period. Lone Star out-shot the champs, 9-5 after one stanza.
The Brahmas broke a scoreless affair on their first powerplay opportunity on a perfect tic-tac-toe play finished off by Michal Stinil at 7:01 making it a 1-0 Lone Star advantage. The Brahmas out-shot the Bugs, 18-12 after two periods of play.
The Mudbugs kept it 1-0 thanks to big saves from Leo Chuard in the game. Then at 18:15, Andrew Jackson dramatically roofed in his sixth goal of the year from the right wing tying the game up 1-1. Matt Smoliga and Ryan Dickinson earned the assists on the tying goal.
The game stayed 1-1 going into the shootout. Jay Feiwell netted home the game-winning goal in the shootout and Chuard stopped all of Lone Star’s chances lifting Shreveport to a dramatic 2-1 victory.
The win snaps a seven-game losing streak for the Mudbugs at the Nytex Sports Centre.
The Mudbugs will return to action on “Black Friday” to open up a two-game set against the Topeka Pilots from the Kansas ExpoCentre in Topeka, KS. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.