Bugs Come Up Short Again at NM

Apr 17, 2021

The Shreveport Mudbugs (31-8-6) dropped their first game in regulation in their last 10 tries falling to the New Mexico Ice Wolves, 5-3 Saturday night at Outpost Ice Arenas.
The Mudbugs got off to another fast start in this contest and Garrett Steele flipped in his 11th goal of the season in front at 5:29 to give the Bugs a 1-0 edge. Great work from Joe Mack and Connor Gatto down low to earn the assists on the game’s first goal. New Mexico would even the score at 8:40 off a rebound in front which was swept in from Alex Gomez to make it a 1-1 contest. The Bugs led in SOG, 14-11 after one.
New Mexico would go out in front in the 2nd period with goals from Joey Larson and Mack Motzko at 4:01 and 8:42 respectively to give the Wolves a 3-1 lead. The Bugs would respond back late in the middle period when Braiden Dorfman would drill home his team-leading 17th tally of the season in front to pull Shreveport within one at 3-2 at 17:41. Adam Kolcon and Austin Brimmer would earn the helpers on the late period goal. Shreveport led in SOG in the middle frame alone, 17-9.
The Wolves added to their lead within the first minute of the 3rd period as Jackson Willie scored his third goal on a busted play to make it a 4-2 contest. The Bugs would respond yet again as Steele redirected home his 2nd goal of the night to make it a one-goal deficit again at 4-3 at 7:03. Chris Hedden and Davis Goukler would earn the assists. That would be the closest the Bugs would get as they threw over 40 shots towards the Wolves goalie, but couldn’t find the game-tying tally late. New Mexico would be awarded an EN goal on a penalty committed at the 20th min to make it a 5-3 final.

The Bugs and Ice Wolves will conclude their three-game series tomorrow afternoon from the Outpost Ice Arenas in Albuquerque, NM. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT. ​