The Shreveport Mudbugs (10-2-2) rang in the New Year of 2021 with a great team effort upending the Odessa Jackalopes, 5-3 Friday night at Ector County Coliseum.
Shreveport got on the board early in the first period when David Breazeale threw a shot from the point through traffic which found its way in for his first goal of the season to give the Bugs a 1-0 lead at 5:49. Collin Doherty grabbed the only assist on Breazeale’s tally. The Bugs added to their lead when Chris Hedden fired a shot off the goalie’s pads and it was Matt Vermaeten slamming home the rebound from the RW circle for his first goal in a Shreveport uniform at 7:23 to make it a 2-0 contest. Odessa would respond at 11:45 when Adam Kolcon shot in his first tally of the year from the point through traffic in front of the net to make it a 2-1 game. The Jacks led in SOG, 11-10 after one period of play.
Shreveport capitalized on the penalty kill in the second period when Joe Mack came in on a 2 on 1 odd man rush and scored his second goal in as many games off his first shot getting blocked at 3:45. Mack’s third tally of the season was shorthanded and unassisted to make it a 3-1 Bugs lead. The road team would continue their fine play when Dawson Sciarrino rifled home his fourth goal of the year from the LW circle off a blocked pass at 8:18 to make it a 4-1 contest. Braiden Dorfman and Billy Feczko earned the helpers on Sciarrino’s goal. Odessa would rally back just 32 seconds later at 8:50 and grab a goal of their own Ben Doherty off an odd-man rush to make it a 4-2 game. Sean Bunting would end a goal-less drought of nine games when he tipped home his fifth goal of the year from the short side to extend the Shreveport lead to 5-2. Aidan Metcalfe and Matt Weber earned the assists on Bunting’s PP goal. Odessa would score again in a wild middle period when Hunter Carrick threw in his second tally from the left point through traffic to make it a 5-3 contest. Bugs led in SOG, 25-24 after two.
The Bugs held off any rally attempt from the Jacks in a scoreless third period as Cole Hudson made some big stops near the end to help Shreveport skate away with a 5-3 victory.
Hudson made 36 saves in net to rebound for his eighth win of the season.
Shreveport is now 4-0 following a loss this season.
The Bugs and Jacks will conclude this three-game series tomorrow night at Ector County Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.