The Shreveport Mudbugs (26-11-2) got timely saves from Nikola Goich and received a big goal past regulation from Kyan Haldenby propelling them to a resilient 3-2 victory in the shootout over the El Paso Rhinos at the El Paso County Events Center Saturday night.
SHV got on the board at 5:46 of the opening period as Hayden Nichol slapped in an easy tally for his 14th of the year off a perfect feed from Ryan Burke in the slot to give the Bugs an early 1-0 edge. The visiting team added to their lead at 14:37 as Brayden Cook sizzled in his eighth goal of the campaign from the LW circle to extend the lead to 2-0. Burke earned his second assist of the night. ELP out-shot SHV 9-8 after one.
The Rhinos put a late surge in the second period with goals from Medrick Bolduc and Frank Tafelski at 19:13 and 19:36 respectively to quickly even the score, 2-2.
The game stayed tied after no scoring in the third period sending the game into OT. Both goalies came up w/ big stops to send the game into a shootout session. In the shootout, Kyan Haldenby snapped in the only goal between both teams helping the Bugs escape with a 3-2 victory over the El Paso Rhinos and earn the sweep.
Nikola Goich picked up his fifth win in net making 29 stops in the game not including the three shots he turned aside in the shootout.
The Bugs will continue this road trip just up the road to Albuquerque, NM to take on the New Mexico Ice Wolves for a two-game series. Game one will be next Friday night w/ puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT from Outpost Ice Arenas.