The Shreveport Mudbugs (18-8) used a big first period to breeze by the South Division leading Lone Star Brahmas, 5-2 Friday night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.
The Bugs opened up the scoring at 7:25 of the first period when the former Brahma Anton Rubstov was able to shove in his second goal from the RW circle to give Shreveport the early 1-0 lead. Jacob Smith and Ryan Dickinson set up the play and earned the assists. Then the Bugs went bang bang as they scored goals 1:15 apart from Dawson Sciarrino and Jack Smiley to bust out to a 3-0 edge over their long-time rival. The Bugs led in SOG, 14-6 after one period of play.
After Lone Star got on the board in the 2nd period, it was Garrett Steele who was able to slam in the juicy rebound on an odd-man rush to give the Bugs a 4-1 lead. Sam Miller led the rush and grabbed the assist on Steele’s goal at 8:34. Carson Nichols and Dylan Smith of Lone Star got into a huge fight with Nichols winning the battle. Shreveport led in SOG, 27-18 after two periods of play.
After Lone Star scored early in the 3rd period, it was Warren Natyshak who nailed in his fourth goal infront of a chaotic net to push the Bugs’ lead to 5-2 at 15:13.
Maiszon Balboa was solid in net making 27 saves to earn his ninth win of the season.
Shreveport has now won three straight and six of their past seven contests.
The Bugs and Brahmas will conclude their two-game series tomorrow night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.