The Shreveport Mudbugs (3-2) battled, clawed, fought, and got rewarded with the series clinching goal at 10:44 from Timmy Clifton to send them to a 3-2 come from behind victory over the Lone Star Brahmas in Game 5.
Both teams traded a few quality scoring chances in the opening period, but no puck was able to find the back of the net. The Bugs led in SOG, 10-7 in a period that surprisingly saw no penalties called on either side.
Lone Star broke the scoreless tie at 3:52 of the 2nd period when Michal Stinil shot in his second goal of the series from the far side to give the Brahmas the 1-0 lead. The Bugs pestered the opposing net all period long and got rewarded when Carson Nichols fired home his second goal of the playoffs from the far side for a PP goal at 19:43 to even the game, 1-1. C.J. McGee and Ryan Dickinson earned the assists on the game-tying tally. Bugs led in SOG, 22-12 after two periods of play.
The Brahmas regained the lead when Thomas Daskas jammed in his first goal of the series at 7:53 along the far side to give Lone Star the 2-1 edge in the 3rd period. The Bugs battled, fought, pestered Seth Eisele and dramatically tied the game up at 18:20 when Nichols tipped home his second goal of the game in front to even the score, 2-2. Anton Rubstov was credited with the only assist on the goal. SOG were in favor of Shreveport, 35-19 after three periods of play sending the contest into sudden death OT.
Both teams battled it out and it was at 10:44 of the 3rd OT when Timmy Clifton was able to smack in a juicy rebound to lift the Bugs to a dramatic 3-2 come from behind victory. With the win, the Mudbugs advance to the South Divisional Final against the Amarillo Bulls. Matt Weber and C.J. McGee earned the assists on the series clinching tally.
Shreveport wins the best-of-five series, 3-2.
Leo Chuard picked up his third win of this playoffs with just 26 saves on the night.
The schedule for the series will be announced soon.