The Shreveport Mudbugs (2-0) exploded in the third period to help blowout the New Mexico Ice Wolves, 6-1 in front of another packed house at Georges Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.
The Bugs got on the board first at 17:05 of the 1st period when newcomer Rais Francis rocked the top shelf from the near circle to give Shreveport the early 1-0 lead. Warren Natyshak helped set up the play and earned the assist. It was the only goal of the period as Shreveport out-shot New Mexico, 18-7.
The Bugs added to their lead at 13:33 of the 2nd period when Jacob Smith came out of the penalty box off a pass from the Captain David Breazeale and cut through the slot and falling down powered home a backhand shot – five hole for his first goal of the season. Breazeale got the only assist making it a 2-0 Shreveport lead.
Shreveport poured it on in the third when Tim Khokhlachev rifled home in his first of the season from the far circle at 2:58 of the PP making it a 3-0 contest. Sam Miller and Ryan Dickinson set the play and earned the helpers. Jacob Smith then scored against with a great attack to the net for his second goal of the game at 6:34 making it a 4-0 Bugs lead. Miller and Anton Rubstov grabbed the assists. Jack Smiley joined in on the party at 13:40 as he roofed in his first tally on the PP from the far side extending the lead to 5-0. Rubstov put the icing on the cake as he powered home a rebound goal on the PP and it was a 6-0 contest.
New Mexico finally scored its first goal of the series at 16:20 breaking Richie Parent’s shutout bid as Shreveport skated away with a 6-1 victory.
The Mudbugs improved to 2-0 on the season for the second straight season.
The Mudbugs will hit the road for the 2019 NAHL Showcase where they’ll play four games in four nights beginning this Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. The Bugs will take on the Chippewa Steel.