The Shreveport Mudbugs (2-3) stumbled and were shutout by the Odessa Jackalopes, 5-0 in front of a sellout crowd at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum Friday night.
The Bugs and Jacks played a very physical opening period filled with big hits and quality scoring chances. Shreveport led in SOG, 17-12 after a scoreless entertaining first period.
Odessa got on the board at 5:49 of the 2nd period when Ryan Mansfield created space in the RW circle and shot in his first goal of the season to give the Jacks a 1-0 edge. Shreveport couldn’t get much going and squandered a 2-man advantage which seemed to be a back-breaker at the time early in the period.
Shreveport just couldn’t muster much offensively in the 3rd period and fell further behind in the contest. It was Cristian Tallarico flipping in a tally at 4:07 to make it a 2-0 Odessa lead. That would be more than enough against the Bugs tonight. Odessa would pour it on late with goals from John Perdion, Liam O’ Hare, and Ryan Kusler at 16:51, 18:31, and 18:46 respectively to open up the game to a 5-0 lead for the Jacks.
The Bugs and Jacks will conclude their two-game series tomorrow night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum where we’ll have our formal 2021 Robertson Cup Ring presentation and drop a special ring banner as well. Former players from that championship team will be in attendance and part of the ceremony. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.