The Shreveport Mudbugs tilted the ice in their favor and stayed one step ahead of the Corpus Christi Ice Rays most of the game to win 4-2 in game 1 of their 1st round playoff series Friday night at The George.
The Mudbugs scored the game’s first goal on a lucky bounce that fell into Cole Quisenberry’s lap and he slammed it in for his first goal of the playoffs at 6:16. Ryan Burnett and Jordan Fader picked up the assists on the goal. Shreveport led 1-0 after the opening period of play.
Shreveport extended that lead on a great fore-check effort shorthanded where Ryan Burnett stole the puck and slid it across for Cam Cook to bury home on the blocker side of Chad Veltri for his first of the playoffs at 11:03. Burnett picked up the only assist. Shreveport led 2-0 after two periods of play.
The Bugs were fast and opened up the 3rd period with a big goal scored from Gueorgui Feduolov banging in a juicy rebound just 14 seconds in. Jacob Holmers and Jacob Skolnik grabbed the assists on Feduolov’s first tally of the playoffs. Shreveport led 3-0 when the Ice Rays would spoil Castor’s shutout bid at 8:34 of the 3rd when Garrett Hallford shot in a rebound for a goal. Burnett would put the game away as he threw a puck in front as it caromed its way into the back of the net for his first goal and third point of the game. The Ice Rays would score a meaningless goal with 27 seconds left in the game, but Shreveport dismisses Corpus Christi, 4-2 at the end.
Jaxon Castor picks up the win in net as he made tremendous stops throughout the game to keep the Ice Rays in check most of the game.
Shreveport leads the best of five series, 1-0 and grab their first playoff win in the NAHL franchise era.
The Mudbugs and Ice Rays will battle in game 2 of this 1st round playoff series tomorrow night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11pm at Georges Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.