The Shreveport Mudbugs (6-4) rallied from a late two-goal deficit to beat the Springfield Jr. Blues, 3-2 in OT Saturday night at the Nelson Center.
The Bugs and Blues traded some good scoring chances in the opening period as Shreveport out-shot their opponents, 13-8. Both teams came up empty in the 1st however due to more great goaltending in this series.
The Blues broke through with goals from former Bug Gino Carabelli at 12:08 and Adisen Bruek at 17:54 of the 2nd period giving Springfield a 2-0 lead. Shreveport continued to fall short of finding the back of the net despite out-shooting the Blues, 13-12 in the period and 26-20 overall.
The Bugs were up against it the third period down 2-0 and trying to kill off two major penalties, but it was Warren Natyshak who slipped in his third goal of the season on a breakaway at 12:08 cutting the deficit to 2-1. David Breazeale and Ryan Waltman would earn the assists on Natyshak’s shorthanded goal. Shreveport would use that goal and build off it when Alexis Girard fired home the game-tying goal at 17:33 from the top of the point which rocked the top shelf for his second tally of the season dramatically making it a 2-2 contest.
The game would go into OT where Matt Weber would complete the comeback at 2:04 when he just flipped one on net from the right corner which slithered it’s way through into the net for the game-winner unassisted.
Richie Parent would grab the win in net as he was stellar making 28 saves on the night.
The Mudbugs continue their road stretch of the season as they’ll travel to Topeka to take on the South Division leading Pilots next Friday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.