The Shreveport Mudbugs (19-5-4) fell in a tight one, 3-2 in the shootout to the Amarillo Bulls Saturday night at the Amarillo Civic Center.
The Bugs got off to a better start than they did last night and at 13:30 of the 1st period, it was Joe Mack who stole the puck in the offensive zone and rifled home his fifth tally of the season from the left wing to give Shreveport the early 1-0 lead. Shreveport netminder Arseni Sergeyev continued to be masterful in the cage stopping 14 shots in the opening period.
Amarillo would tie the game at 9:18 of the 2nd period as Greg Japchen would shoot in his sixth tally of the season from the point through traffic to even the score, 1-1. Shreveport would respond on the PP when Braiden Dorfman rammed in a juicy rebound in front for his team-leading 11th goal of the season at 15:49 to give the Bugs the lead back at 2-1. Garrett Steele would earn the only helper on the PP goal. The Bugs led in SOG, 31-26 after two.
Amarillo tied the game up again in the 3rd period at 4:39 with another blistering shot from Greg Japchen at the point which tied the game, 2-2.
The game stayed tied 2-2 thanks to great goaltending from both sides. Arseni Sergeyev made 45 saves to help Shreveport earn at least one point.
The Bugs will return to George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum for their longest home-stand of the season beginning next Friday night as they’ll host these very same Amarillo Bulls. It’s “Mardi Gras” themed weekend with puck drop scheduled for 7:11 p.m.