The Shreveport Mudbugs (5-5-2) got great goaltending and timely goals to earn a 4-1 win over the Corpus Christi Ice Rays and snap a three-game losing skid at the American Bank Center Saturday night.
Shreveport netted the game’s first goal at 13:38 when Jake Mack tipped in his first goal of the season in front to give the Bugs an early 1-0 first period lead. Jake Onstott had the brilliant feed in front earned the primary assist and Burke Simpson grabbed the secondary helper. It was the only tally of the period. Shreveport led in SOG, 9-4 after one.
Corpus Christi would even the score at 8:03 of the 2nd period when Stepan Kuznetsov slipped in his fourth tally from the far side to make it a 1-1 contest. Shreveport responded on the PP when Connor Gatto slammed home his second goal of the campaign short side to give the Bugs the lead back at 2-1 at 12:39. Austin Brimmer and Billy Feczko earned the assists as they both helped get the puck down low to Gatto. The period was highlighted by a fight between Billy Feczko and Cole Helm where both exchanged good punches and it was Feczko with the take-down at the end. Shreveport led in SOG, 16-14 after two periods of play.
The Bugs added to their lead in the 3rd period on a 3 on 3 scenario when Lukas Sedlacek raced in on a breakaway and went to the forehand and smacked in his fourth tally of the season to push the Shreveport lead to 3-1 at 9:17. The Bugs negated any Corpus Christi comeback attempt tonight as Drake Morse knocked in an EN goal at 19:19 for his first of the year to lock down a 4-1 victory.
Devon Bobak made 25 saves to earn his third win in net and help Shreveport snap a three-game losing streak.
The Bugs’ longest road trip of the season continues as they’ll take on the Amarillo Wranglers next Friday night for a two-game series at the Amarillo Civic Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.