The Shreveport Mudbugs (26-14-7) got a pair of goals from Nick Marino and Drake Morse to help coast to a 5-2 victory over the Corpus Christi IceRays in front of a packed house at the American Bank Center Friday night.
Corpus got on the board on the PP at 15:57 of the 1st when Ryan Hintz shot one through traffic which found its way through for his first tally of the year to make it a 1-0 contest. SHV had their chances in the opening period as they out-shot CC 12-9 after one.
SHV responded nicely in the second and cashed in on a PP of their own at 4:06 when Drake Morse raced into the zone from the near circle and went five-hold on their goalie for his 14th tally of the season to even the score, 1-1. Jaden Goldie and Logan Heroux earned the assists. The Bugs would then take their first lead of the night at 8:50 when Nick Marino would score a scrappy goal in front off a broken play and nudge in his sixth tally along the near post to make it a 2-1 game. Ryan Burke and Heroux picked up the helpers on Marino’s goal.
The Bugs extended their lead at 8:18 of the third period as Nick Marino shoveled home his second goal of the night along the far side to push the edge to 3-1. Ryan Austin and Hayden Nichol earned the assists on the play. Then came another brilliant goal from Garrett Steele as he sped into the zone along the right side and after his initial shot was stopped, he stayed with the play and swept in the rebound for his team-leading 16th goal of the year. The Captain’s tally made it a 4-1 score. After CC scored to make it 4-2, it was Morse knocking in the EN goal at 19:58 to close out a 5-2 victory over the Corpus Christi IceRays.
Simon Bucheler earned his 20th win in the cage
The Bugs and Rays will conclude their two-game series tomorrow night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from the American Bank Center.