The Shreveport Mudbugs (23-7-5) rallied in the third to tie the game only to fall in the shootout, 4-3 to the New Mexico Ice Wolves Saturday night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.
Shreveport lit the lamp first for the second straight night when Griffen Sanom slammed home the rebound in front from the far side for his fourth goal of the season and third as a Bug to give the home team an early 1-0 lead. Garrett Steele and Joe Mack earned the helpers on the game’s first goal at 4:41 of the opening period. Bugs led in SOG, 10-8 in a very fast-paced opening period.
The second period has been the worst period for the Bugs this season and it was no different in this contest. Cole Hanson scored two goals at :17 and at 13:36 with another tally sandwiched in-between from Dillian Bentley at 7:59 to give the Ice Wolves a sudden 3-1 lead after two. Shreveport couldn’t get much going offensively as they were out-shot in the middle frame, 14-10.
Shreveport roared back in the third period and it started on the PP when Billy Feczko grabbed a brilliant feed in the slot and buried home his tenth tally of the season to pull the Bugs within one at 3-2 at 6:13. Austin Brimmer and Aidan Metcalfe earned the assists on the extra-man goal. The Bugs used that momentum and tied the game at 12:28 when Braiden Dorfman flipped in his team-leading 15th goal of the season from in front which slipped past New Mexico’s goalie Owen Parker and sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Dawson Sciarrino and Feczko picked up the assists with great work behind the net.
The game stayed tied 3-3 thanks to great goaltending from both sides sending the contest into OT.
The game stayed tied going into the shootout and the only tally in that session was scored from Nicolas Haver to lift New Mexico to a 4-3 win over Shreveport.
The Bugs get one point for their effort and three out of four in this series.
The Bugs will conclude their season-long homestand next weekend when they host their arch rivals in the Lone Star Brahmas for a two-game series. Game one is next Friday night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum with puck drop scheduled for 7:11 p.m.