The Shreveport Mudbugs (19-9) battled past the Corpus Christi Ice Rays, 4-2 Friday night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.
The Ice Rays executed a perfect 3 on 1 odd-man rush finished from Todd Philibert roofed in his third goal of the season at 9:19 of the opening period giving Corpus Christi the early 1-0.
The Mudbugs struck on the PP early in the 2nd period when Jacob Smith slipped a perfect pass across to Tim Khokhlachev who wired home his fifth goal of the year from the far circle to even the score, 1-1 at 6:53. Smith and Alexis Girard earned the helpers. After Corpus Christi scored at 9:54, the Bugs responded again at 18:33 when Anton Rubstov went top shelf for his third goal of the year. Sam Miller and Maiszon Balboa earned the assists. The Bugs led in SOG, 25-12 after two periods of play.
The Bugs broke a 2-2 tie at 16:59 of the 3rd period when Warren Natyshak nailed in a juicy rebound from the far side to lift the Bugs to a 3-2 lead. Ryan Waltman and Brent Keefer earn the helpers. Shreveport put the game away at 19:47 when Ryan Waltman slapped in an EN goal for his fifth goal of the year to make it a 4-2 contest.
Maiszon Balboa earned his tenth win in net making just 16 saves on the night.
Shreveport improves to 5-0 this season against their playoff rival.
The Bugs and Ice Rays will conclude their two-game series tomorrow night at George’s Pond In Hirsch Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.