The Shreveport Mudbugs (23-7-4) scored two powerplay goals to help lead the way to a 4-2 victory over the New Mexico Ice Wolves Friday night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.
Shreveport lit the lamp at 10:21 of the opening period when Captain David Breazeale raced around the far side and scored his third goal of the season on a wraparound from the short side to give the Bugs a 1-0 lead. Braiden Dorfman earned the only helper on Breazeale’s second goal in as many games. The Bugs added to their early lead on an odd-man rush when Garrett Steele rifled home his seventh goal of the year from the RW circle off a brilliant pass from Lukas Sedlacek at 15:35 to make it a 2-0 contest. Shreveport led in SOG, 12-8 after one.
Shreveport stretched their lead at 4:28 of the 2nd period on the PP when Mason McCormick roofed in his sixth goal of the season in the slot to lift the Bugs lead to 3-0. Chris Hedden and Austin Brimmer earned the assists. New Mexico got on the board at 19:50 when Jack Bayless shot in his fifth goal in the slot to get the Ice Wolves on the board at 3-1. NM led in SOG in the middle frame, 11-10.
The Bugs capitalized again on the man advantage when Dawson Sciarrino slammed home his seventh tally of the season in front at 3:27 to give Shreveport a 4-1 edge. Gio Procopio set up play and Braiden Dorfman held the zone and both earned the assists on the goal. New Mexico would get a goal from Nicholas Havier at 10:31, but that’s the closest they’d get in the contest.
Cole Hudson earned his 14th win in the cage making 26 saves on the night.
The Bugs and Ice Wolves will conclude their two-game series tomorrow night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m. and be sure to stay after the contest as we’ll be auctioning off the “Superhero” themed specialty jerseys.