The Shreveport Mudbugs (14-2-2) poured it on in the third period to cruise past the Mexico Ice Wolves, 4-1 and win their fifth straight contest and stay undefeated in the year of 2021.
The Mudbugs got on the board at 3:34 of the 1st period when Mason McCormick tapped in a juicy rebound from the RW circle to put Shreveport up 1-0. Matt Vermaetten and Dawson Sciarrino earned the helpers. New Mexico tied the game when Spencer Rudrud rattled in his seventh goal of the season at 9:51.
The Bugs went back up ahead at 2:41 when Braiden Dorfman tipped home his seventh goal of the year in front to make it a 2-1 lead for Shreveport. Austin Brimmer made the play possible and grabbed the assist. Shreveport led in SOG, 33-16 after two periods of play.
Shreveport extended their lead at 10:27 of the third period when Matt Vermaeten took a pass from Dawson Sciarrino and flipped in his second goal of the season through his legs in front to make it a 3-1 contest. The Bugs controlled most of the third period and added a tally shorthanded at 16:50 when Garrett Steele ripped home his fourth goal of the year from the LW circle. Matt Weber and David Breazeale grabbed the helpers as they mastered the perfect 3 on 1 odd-man rush. The goal made it 4-1 as Shreveport remained undefeated in the year of 2021.
Cole Hudson was stellar in net yet again making 27 saves to pick up his 11th win and help Bugs hockey capture their fifth straight victory overall.
The Bugs and Ice Wolves will continue their three-game series tomorrow night at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.