The Shreveport Mudbugs (15-4-5) got a goal from Austin Brimmer early and a goal from Billy Feczko late to knock off the New Mexico Ice Wolves, 2-1 in the shootout and earn three points in the series.
The Bugs got on the board early at 3:21 of the opening period when Austin Brimmer backhanded a shot from the near corner which found a hole along the short side for his tenth goal of the season. Burke Simpson and Trenten Heyde earned the helpers on Brimmer’s tally to give Shreveport the early 1-0 lead. The visiting squad had a good opening period as they out-shot the home team, 15-8 after one.
It was a scoreless 2nd period which saw the Bugs come up empty on two powerplay chances and have to withstand a New Mexico surge as well.
New Mexico would keep pushing and tie the game up at 14:46 when Nikolai Dulak drilled home the game-tying goal in the slot to even the score, 1-1.
The game would stay tied 1-1 going into the shootout session. Billy Feczko would score the GW goal and he poked the puck through the five-hole of Beni Halasz to help lift Shreveport to a 2-1 victory over the Ice Wolves.
Devon Bobak was sensational in net stopping all three shots he faced in the shootout.
The Bugs will return home and welcome in their arch-rival in the Lone Star Brahmas to George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum for the first time this season. Game 1 of the two-game series will be next Friday night with puck drop scheduled for 7:11 p.m.