The Shreveport Mudbugs (9-11-4) came from behind twice to edge out the El Paso Rhinos, 3-2 in the shootout and grab their second straight sweep and fourth straight win at El Paso County Coliseum Saturday night.
The Bugs and Rhinos had a very competitive opening period which featured great chances from both sides. Shreveport titled the ice in their favor, but came up empty on goals. El Paso thought they had an easy score, but Devon Bobak sprawled across to rob Tyler Pfister with a brilliant glove save as he elevated the puck on an odd-man rush late in the period. Shreveport led in SOG, 19-8 after one.
El Paso opened up the scoring at 10:47 of the 2nd period on an odd-man rush whenGraham Harris drilled home his eighth tally of the season from the LW circle to give the Rhinos a 1-0 lead. Shreveport responded at 19:43 of the middle period on a great give and go and Garrett Steele got in deep and shoveled home his fourth goal of the season from the far side to even the score, 1-1. Connor Gatto and Austin set up the play and earned the assists on game-tying tally. The Bugs continued to dominate in SOG, as they led 37-20 after two.
The Rhinos went back ahead at 7:59 of the 3rd period on a broken play when Jonathan Horn threw in a goal off a scrambling Bugs defensive unit to give El Paso a 2-1 lead. The Bugs responded late in the period again as Austin Brimmer threw a perfect feed through the slot for Steele to fire home his second goal of the game to even the score, 2-2 with 1:42 remaining in regulation.
After a scoreless OT session, we went to a shootout to decide this contest. It was Austin Brimmer who delivered in the fourth round and he went five-hole for the game-winning goal. Devon Bobak stopped the last attempt from Donovan O’ Neil to help lift Shreveport to a resilient 3-2 win over El Paso.
Bobak earned his fourth straight win in net and help the Bugs win their fourth straight overall.
The Bugs will return home for a two-game series against the Wichita Falls Warriors at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum. Game 1 will be next Thursday night, Dec. 16th with puck drop scheduled for 7:11 p.m. It’s a Family/Winter Wonderland themed series highlighted with Santa Clause in the building, “Thirsty Thursday” drink specials, and a family-four pack consisting of four tickets, four hot cocoa’s, and four skate passes for $44. We also encourage our fans to wear Christmas gear of any kind including your favorite holiday pajamas.