The Shreveport Mudbugs (4-2) got a pair of goals from Logan Heroux and held off the Lone Star Brahmas, 3-2 to grab Game 1 of the South Division Finals at the Nytex Sports Centre Friday night.
The Bugs grabbed the first goal of the series as Carter McKay tipped home his first goal of the playoffs in front to give SHV an early 1-0 lead at 8:18. Ryan Austin and Hayden Nichol picked up the assists. LSB responded at 11:32 when Bryce Ingles sliced in his first goal from the LW circle to even the score, 1-1. The Brahmas led in SOG, 14-7 after one.
LSB would take their first lead of the series in the middle frame as Ivan Zadvernyuk would shoot in the rebound off his own shot from the LW circle to give the Brahmas a 2-1 edge at 5:21. SHV responded late in the period as Logan Heroux raced through the slot and smacked in his second tally of the playoffs as he fell down evening the score, 2-2 w/ 2:02 remaining in the second period. LSB led in SOG, 19-14 after two.
The game stayed tied 2-2 until the 10:28 mark of the third period when Logan Heroux skated in from the left wing and rifled in his second goal of the night to give the Bugs the lead back at 3-2. Ryan Burke and Wil Murphy earned the helpers on the eventual GW tally. SHV was able to fend off a last second push from LSB to close out a 3-2 victory and take a 1-0 series lead in the South Division Finals.
Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau made 25 saves to earn his fourth win in these playoffs between the pipes.
The Bugs and Brahmas will continue their South Division Finals w/ Game 2 of the best-of-five series tomorrow night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from Nytex Sports Centre.