The Shreveport Mudbugs (32-14-7) through all the penalties were able to grind out a 3-1 victory over the Odessa Jackalopes and earn their seventh win in a row at Ector County Coliseum Friday night.
Odessa got on the board in the opening period at 12:05 as Ryan Mansfield snapped in his 17th tally of the year to give the Jacks an early 1-0 edge. The Bugs rallied back on the PP as Eric Vitale redirected home his 14th goal of the year in front to even the score, 1-1 at 14:24. Logan Gotinsky earned the only helper. SHV would then take their first lead of the night on a brilliant effort from Drake Morse as he carved up the Jacks’ blue line and flipped in his 16th goal of the year to give the Mudbugs a 2-1 lead at 16:18. Matt Danziger picked up the only assist. SHV led in SOG, 12-5 after one.
After a scoreless second period, the Bugs battled throughout the third period and it was Jaden Goldie getting off the schnide and slapping home his sixth goal of the season at 10:21 in the slot to extend their lead to 3-1. Vitale picked up his second point earning the assist on Goldie’s tally.
Simon Bucheler earned his NAHL-leading 25th win in net making 22 saves on the night.
The Bugs and Jacks conclude their two-game series tomorrow night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. from Ector County Coliseum.