The Shreveport Mudbugs (9-8-3) had a see-saw affair with the Odessa Jackalopes falling 5-4 in the shootout Saturday night at Georges Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.
Shreveport opened the scoring when Jack Jaunich tucked in the rebound in front for his third goal of the season at 2:48 assisted by Dakota Concannon and Joel Frazee giving the Bugs an early 1-0 lead. Odessa responded with three unanswers goals later in the 1st period before fights broke out giving the Mudbugs a PP opportunity. The defending champs took advantage as new arrival Tim Khokhlachev put a ripper in for his first goal in Shreveport from the far circle. C.J. McGee earned the only assist on the goal making it a 3-2 Jacks lead after one period of play.
Jaunich came out of the gates strong in the 2nd period driving home in his 2nd goal of the game just 11 seconds in tying the game, 3-3. Anton Rubstov earned the only assist on the PP goal with a brilliant pass over to Jaunich. The game stayed tied 3-3 after two periods of play with SOG in favor of Shreveport, 28-24.
Odessa broke a 3-3 tie just 1:46 into the 3rd period when Jared Christy shot in his 2nd goal of the weekend giving the Jacks a 4-3 lead. Shreveport came roaring back as they always do at home when Anton Rubstov rattled in his third goal of the game tying the game at 4 just 58 seconds later after Christy scored. Jack Johnson picked up the only assist on the goal.
The game stayed tied 4-4 through overtime and this game was decided in a shootout when Kyle Herbster netted the game-winning goal lifting Odessa to a 5-4 win over Shreveport. The Bugs came up empty on their three attempts in the shootout session .
The loss snaps an 11-game home winning streak for the Mudbugs.
The Mudbugs will hit the road once again this Wednesday for a Thanksgiving Eve tilt against the Lone Star Brahmas. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from the Nytex Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, TX.