The Shreveport Mudbugs (24-19-8) couldn’t overcome a slow start and got tripped up by the Odessa Jackalopes, 5-2 Friday night at Ector County Coliseum.
Odessa got off to a fast start in the 1st period as Jack Conroy scored goals at 7:10 and 16:58 to put the Bugs in an early 2-0 deficit. Shreveport had some quality scoring chances as they out-shot Odessa, 18-13 after one period of play.
The Bugs put a strong push in the opening minutes of the 2nd period, but the Jacks went back the other way and scored another goal this time from Joseph Winkelmann at 5:34 to extend their lead to 3-0. Shreveport got on the board when at 9:20 it was Ethan Harrison who slammed home his 19th goal of the season with a perfect pass from Andrew Jackson to make it a 3-1 contest. The Bugs led in SOG, 30-27 after two periods.
Winkelmann beat Maiszon Balboa again to open up the 3rd period at :28 on a backhander making it a 4-1 Jacks lead. That tally prompted Coach Soupy to pull Balboa in favor of Leo Chuard. The Bugs didn’t give up as Jack Jaunich powered home his eighth goal of the year from the left wing circle making it a 4-2 contest with 5:07 left in the game. That would be the closest Shreveport would get as Brendan Coughlin threw in a EN goal at 19:04 sealing an Odessa 5-2 win over Shreveport.
The Bugs went 0 for 3 on the powerplay and are now 0 for their last 13 chances overall.
The Mudbugs will conclude their two-game series against the Jacks tomorrow at Ector County Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.