Bugs fall to Pilots

Dec 28, 2019

The Shreveport Mudbugs (20-10) fell to the Topeka Pilots, 5-3 Friday night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.
Topeka scored goals with open space at 3:02 and 14:25 from Luc Salem and Shawn Kennedy respectively to give Topeka the early 2-0 lead. The Bugs looked sluggish coming off the Christmas break and were out-shot 11-6 after one period of play.
The Pilots would add two more goals early in the 2nd period prompting Coach Soupy to switch up goalies pulling Maiszon Balboa in favor of Richie Parent. The switch sparked the team as Sam Miller was was able to poke home his team-leading ninth tally of the season at 6:01 assisted by Ryan Waltman making it a 4-1 game. The Bugs would claw closer as Tim Khokhlachev would rifle home his third goal in as many games from the right circle for a PP tally at 8:36 cutting the deficit in half at 4-2. Anton Rubstov would grab the only assist on Khokhlachev’s goal. The Bugs out-shot Topeka, 21-18 after two periods of play.
Topeka would net a goal just 1:20 into the 3rd period making it a 5-2 contest. Dawson Sciarrino would score his seventh goal of the year 4 on 4 to make it a 5-3 contest.
Balboa suffered his first loss at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum this season.

Shreveport and Topeka will conclude their two-game series tomorrow night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.