The Shreveport Mudbugs (32-17) scored early and often to shutout the Odessa Jackalopes, 6-0 Friday night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.
The Bugs on the board at 5:08 of the 1st as Matt Hutton hammered home his 11th tally of the season through the slot to give Shreveport the early 1-0 edge. Hutton’s linemates Matt Weber and Gio Procopio earned the assists on the play. Shreveport added to their lead at 16:06 when Brent Keefer intercepted a pass from Odessa in the offensive zone and slipped in his seventh goal of the season from the high slot making it a 2-0 lead for Mudbugs hockey.
Shreveport added to their lead at 6:56 of the 2nd period when Ryan Waltman threw a shot from the left corner which deflected its way through for his 10th tally of the year. Carson Nichols and Aidan Metcalfe picked up the assists as the Bugs led 3-0.
The Mudbugs poured it on in the third period when Captain David Breazeale wired home his third goal of the year from the left point making it a 4-0 lead at 3:25. At 8:57, it was Keefer again as he stole another puck and fired home his 2nd goal of the night from the near circle making it a 5-0 contest. Keefer would complete the hat trick for Shreveport as he banged in his third of the night off the goalie’s pads off a short from Davis Goukler to make it a 6-0 lead at 14:57.
Maiszon Balboa stopped all 16 shots he saw to earn his fourth shutout of the season.
With the win, Shreveport snapped a three-game losing skid.
The Bugs and Jacks will conclude their two-game series tomorrow night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.