The Shreveport Mudbugs (32-15-7) had their seven-game win streak snapped and their Captain’s 200th NAHL game spoiled in a tough 5-2 setback to the Odessa Jackalopes at Ector County Coliseum Saturday night.
Odessa scored early at 5:49 of the opening period when William Marshall wrapped in his seventh goal of the season along the far side to give the Jacks an early 1-0 lead. SHV responded with Captain Garrett Steele slapping in his 20th goal of the campaign in his 200th NAHL game as a Bug to even the score, 1-1 at 14:13. Liam Fleet got the puck to Steele and earned the only helper on the play. ODA led in SOG, 11-8 after one.
Odessa would regain the lead at 15:03 of the 2nd period as Tanyon Bajzer banged in his 20th goal of the season from the near circle to make it a 2-1 contest. The Jacks led in SOG, 20-19 after two.
The Bugs got even once again at 7:06 of the third period as Drake Morse raced in the slot and rifled home his 17th tally of the season making it a 2-2 contest. Eric Vitale earned the only assist. After that however, it was all Jacks as they got goals at 12:59 and 16:05 from John Christen and Brendan Finn to make it a 4-2 contest. Ryan Mansfield added an EN goal at 18:02 to seal up a 5-2 victory for Odessa over Shreveport.
SHV’s seven-game win streak comes to an end.
The Bugs will hit the road once again and take on the top team in the NAHL in the Oklahoma Warriors for a two-game series beginning next Friday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. from Blazers Ice Centre.