The Shreveport Mudbugs (3-1) got a hat trick from Sean Bunting to lead the way to a 6-1 victory and weekend sweep over the Odessa Jackalopes at Ector County Coliseum.
The Mudbugs dictated the pace of the first period and generated a few grade A scoring chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Shreveport led in SOG, 8-6 after a scoreless opening period.
The Bugs broke through on the scoreboard in the second period when Braiden Dorfman created space in the slot and fired home his first tally of the year unassisted to give Shreveport the 1-0 lead at 4:16. The Bugs would then take advantage of two powerplays when Sean Bunting banged in two goals from the slot at 7:11 and 13:19 respectively on similar plays to lift the Mudbugs lead to 3-0. Aidan Metcalfe assisted on Bunting’s first of the night and it was Dorfman and Feczko assisted on the other tally. Odessa would get on the board at 15:16 to make it a 3-1 contest after two periods of play.
Shreveport added to their lead at 7:56 of the third period when Davis Goukler muscled in his first goal of the year from the right point to give the Bugs a 4-1. Feczko and Chris Hedden would grab the helpers. With the extra attacker on for Odessa, Sean Bunting would tap in his third goal of the night for the hat trick to give the Bugs a commanding 5-1 lead with less than a minute to go in the contest. Hedden would hammer home his first goal of the season seconds later with a rifling shot from the point to make it a 6-1 contest.
Cole Hudson made 25 stops on the night to pick up his second straight win in net.
The Mudbugs conclude their season opening road trip to Fort Worth, TX where they’ll play the New Mexico Ice Wolves next Friday night for a two-game series at the Nytex Sports Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.