The Shreveport Mudbugs (2-2) got a pair of goals from Lukas Sedlacek and solid goaltending to lead the way to a 3-1 victory over the St. Cloud Norsemen in the finale of the 2021 NAHL Showcase Saturday evening.
The Bugs got off to a hot start in the 1st period as Patrick Roginski faked out the St. Cloud goalie and slid across a perfect pass to Lukas Sedlacek who buried home his first goal of the year at 9:18 to make it a 1-0 contest. Shreveport added to their lead on a fluky play when Austin Brimmer fired a puck from the RW circle which handcuffed goalie Josh Langford and off a rebound it was Connor Gatto who backhanded home his first tally at 19:30. Brimmer earned the only assist to make it a 2-0 margin for Shreveport.
Shreveport added to their lead at 12:27 of the 2nd period when Evan Mitchell dished a perfect pass in front to Sedlacek who roofed in his second goal of the game to push the Bugs’ lead to 3-0. Mitchell and Logan Valkama earned the assists on the only goal of the period.
The Bugs controlled most of the game until St. Cloud spoiled the shutout bid for Simon Bucheler as Ryan O’Neill scored at 16:04 of the 3rd period to make it a 3-1 contest.
That goal would be the only blemish for Bucheler as he made 24 saves to earn his first win in his first start in net as a Bug.
The Bugs will play their first home game at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum next Friday night as they’ll play against the USA U-17 Hockey National squad. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:11 p.m.