The Shreveport Mudbugs (0-1) dropped a tight one against the Minnestoa Magicians, 3-2 in the season opener of the 2021 NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN Wednesday night.
The Bugs opened the season with a goal from Billy Feczko just 1:15 into the contest when he fired home his first tally through the slot to give Shreveport an early 1-0 edge. Johnny Hallard and Austin Brimmer earned the assists. The Magicians rallied back at 8:44 when Nick Babbie threw a shot towards the net which had an awkward bounce and went in to even the score, 1-1. Minnesota would take the lead at 16:34 when Cam Boche banged in his second goal of the season cutting through the slot to make it a 2-1 contest.
The Mudbugs tied the game on the PP when Garrett Steele fired a puck off the end boards which was flipped in from the short side from Nik Miller to even the score, 2-2 at 6:14 of the 2nd period. Shreveport led in SOG, 18-8 after two periods of play.
Minnesota would go ahead in the 3rd period at 6:19 on the PP when Trevor Kukkonen would fire home his first goal of the campaign to make it a 3-2 contest. The Bugs would make a late push, but the Magicians had no tricks and stopped Shreveport for the rest of the game.
The Mudbugs will continue their 2021 NAHL Showcase with a rematch of last year’s championship game facing off against the Aberdeen Wings. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.