The Shreveport Mudbugs (18-7-2) had five different goal scorers and solid netminding to breeze by the defending champion Oklahoma Warriors, 5-1 and earn the sweep in George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum Saturday night.
We were scoreless after one period of play despite SHV out-shooting OKC, 12-6 after one.
SHV got on the board and ignited a teddy bear toss celebration on the ice thanks to Brent Litchard redirected home his third goal of the season at 6:03 of the second period to give the Bugs a 1-0 lead. Liam Fleet and Chase Murray earned the helpers on Litchard’s first goal since Oct. 7th. SHV extended their lead at 16:27 of the second period when Lucas Deeb drove home a rebound from the RW circle to make it a 2-0 contest. Wil Murphy and Ryan Burke picked up the assists.
Oklahoma got on the board just 23 seconds into the third period when Kaden Nelson nailed in his 13th goal of the year on the PP to make it a 2-1 contest. After that, it was all Mudbugs for the rest of the game. Kyan Haldenby stayed hot as he tipped in his 11th goal of the season to push the lead back to 3-1 at 1:00. Murphy and Nick Marino picked the assists. SHV added to their lead at 6:27 on the PP when Ryan Burke rammed in the rebound for his 11th tally of the year to make it 4-1. Logan Heroux and Haldenby earned the helpers. The Bugs would put the icing on the cake at 13:03 when Marino would sweep in a rebound in front for his tenth goal of the year to make it a 5-1. Colin Vassallo and Maksim Sushchynski picked up the assists on Marino’s PP netter.
Nikola Goich earned his first win in net a Bug this season making 24 saves on the night.
The Bugs will continue their season-long homestand next weekend as they’ll welcome the Colorado Grit to George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum for the first time ever. Game one of the two-game series will be Thursday night w/ puck drop scheduled for 7:11 p.m.