The Shreveport Mudbugs (35-9-6) netted three powerplay goals and got another lights out goaltending effort to help shutout the Amarillo Bulls, 5-0 and sweep them for the third straight time Saturday night at the Amarillo Civic Center.
The Bugs grabbed the game’s first goal at 12:17 of the 1st period when Connor Gatto slammed home a juicy rebound from the LW circle for his 12th goal of the season to give Shreveport the early 1-0 lead. Garrett Steele hit the post with the initial shot from the slot earned the primary assist while Joe Mack picked up the secondary helper. Shreveport extended their lead at 16:54 when Matt Weber redirected a shot in front for his 13th goal of the year to make it a 2-0 contest. Trenten Heyde shot the initial puck from the right point and earned the only assist on the Bugs’ second goal of the opening period. The visiting team led in SOG, 13-10 after one.
Amarillo’s Harrison Scott was penalized a major penalty and a game misconduct after boarding Matt Vermaeten at 3:43 of the 2nd period. The Bugs then seconds later had a two-man advantage and it was Joe Mack who fired home his 18th goal of the year in the slot off a perfect feed from Braiden Dorfman to push the lead to 3-0. The Bugs would have another two-man edge on the PP and it was Billy Feczko’s turn to slap in his 13th goal of the season from the top of the LW circle to increase the Shreveport lead to 4-0. Connor Gatto and Dawson Sciarrino earned the helpers on Feczko’s PP tally. The Bugs led in SOG in the middle frame, 12-6.
The Bugs grounded the Bulls for the whole period and it was Austin Brimmer adding in another PP goal with his eighth of the year from the short side at 10:22 to make it a 5-0 lead for Shreveport. Chris Hedden and Dorfman earned the helpers.
Arsenii Sergeev stopped all 27 shots he faced to pick up his second shutout of the season and earn his 12th win overall.
The Bugs will continue this week-long road trip and begin a two-game series with their arch-rival in the Lone Star Brahmas this Friday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from the Nytex Sports Centre.