The Shreveport Mudbugs (14-10-4) got big nights from their best players to cruise past the Corpus Christi IceRays, 5-2 and earn the sweep in George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum.
The Bugs got off to another fast start as Garrett Steele found a cutting Nick Marino through the slot who was able to hammer home his second goal of the season to give SHV an early 1-0 lead. Steele got the only assist on Marino’s tally. CC responded at 13:51 when Eli Reimer slung in his first goal of the year from the far post to even the score, 1-1. Shreveport led in SOG, 17-6 after one.
SHV broke a tie at 14:29 of the 2nd period when Kason Muscutt raced through the middle and jabbed in his third goal of the season as the puck went off the goalie’s glove and into the net to make it a 2-1 Mudbugs lead. Hayden Nichol and Ryan Burke picked the assists on Muscutt’s tally. SHV added a powerplay goal at 17:01 when Hayden Nichol nailed in his fourth goal of the season from the short side on a tough angle to make it a 3-1 Bugs edge. Ryan Burke and Logan Heroux got the assists on the PP tally.
The two-time Robertson Cup Champs poured it on in the third period as Captain Steele found a gift in front and backhanded home his team-leading 11th goal of the season to make it a 4-1 contest. Jaden Goldie and Eric Vitale earned the assists. After CC scored, the Bugs put the icing on the cake as Logan Heroux tapped in the EN goal in the last minute to seal up a 5-2 victory and sweep over the IceRays.
Simon Bucheler made 17 saves to earn his 11th win between the pipes.
The Bugs will have next weekend off for Christmas break before beginning a two-game series against these very same Corpus Christi IceRays from the American Bank Center. Game one will be Thursday, Dec. 29th w/ puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m.