The Shreveport Mudbugs (16-10-4) netted five unanswered goals to dismantle the Corpus Christi IceRays, 5-1 and earn another sweep Friday night at the American Bank Center.
The IceRays struck first at 4:48 of the opening period on a broken play/tic-tac-toe operation completed by Dylan Contreras tapping in his fifth goal of the season to give CC the early 1-0 edge. The Bugs responded as Maksim Sushchynski floated in his first goal of the season from the point at 6:13 to even the score, 1-1. Matt Danziger and Drake Morse earned the helpers on the Bugs’ first goal of the night. SHV took their first lead of the game at 14:25 when Logan Gotinksy got open in the right circle and roofed in his eighth goal of the campaign to give the Bugs a 2-1 advantage. Garrett Steele and Brent Litchard picked the assists. SOG were tied 11-11 after 1.
The Bugs spent a lot of time in their own zone most of the second period, but cashed in on an opportunity late when Jake Mack found Ryan Burke in near the circle and Burke fired home his fifth goal of the season to push the SHV lead to 3-1 at 17:51. Mack and Ryan Austin officially earned the assists on Burke’s tally. The Bugs led in SOG, 26-20 after 2.
SHV poured it on in the third period as at the 5:00 mark, it was Drake Morse skated through the slot and wired home his eighth goal of the season to extend the lead to 4-1. Eric Vitale earned the assist to extend his point scoring streak to nine straight games. The Bugs put the icing on the cake at 12:36 on the PP as Ryan Burke rifled home his second goal of the night from the far side to complete a 5-1 victory and sweep over the Corpus Christi IceRays.
Shreveport is now 9-1 in their last ten games.
Tommy Aitken earned the win in net w/ 26 saves on the night.
The Bugs return home to kick off their longest home-stand of the season as they’ll open up a two-game series against the El Paso Rhinos beginning next Friday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m. from George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.