The Shreveport Mudbugs (8-5) beat the Corpus Christi Ice Rays, 3-2 on a late tally from Conor Witherspoon in front of a packed crowd at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.
Corpus Christi opened up the scoring when Artur Turansky threw an innocent shot that found it’s way through from the left corner to give the Ice Rays an early 1-0 lead at 11:08 of the first period. The Bugs came right back at 12:42 when Sam Miller darted a shot through from the left point to earn his fourth goal of the season tying the score, 1-1. Matt Weber and Jack Smiley earned the assists on Miller’s tally. Ice Rays led in SOG, 16-6 after one period of play.
The Bugs grabbed their first lead of the game when Matt Weber stole the puck and slipped in his second goal of the year in front all alone giving Shreveport a 2-1 lead at 10:54 of the 2nd period. The Ice Rays responded though with a late tally at 18:55 when Erik Bargholtz took a perfect pass from Ryan Coughlin on a 2-1 odd man rush and wristed in a game-tying goal. The Bugs outshot the Ice Rays, 16-10 in the middle period.
The Mudbugs broke a 2-2 tie at 10:34 of the 3rd period when Dawson Sciarrino led a 3 on 1 rush up the ice and dished a perfect pass to Conor Witherspoon who slammed home his first goal of the season from the short side giving Shreveport a 3-2 lead. The Bugs held off a late surge from the Ice Rays to preserve a 3-2 victory.
Maiszon Balboa earns his fifth win of the season making 36 saves on the night.
The Mudbugs and Ice Rays conclude their two-game series tomorrow night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum. It’s Wizard night at the pond and puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.