The Shreveport Mudbugs received a fortunate tip in front of the net late in the 3rd period to edge out the Lone Star Brahmas, 1-0 in game 1 of the South Divisional Final in Georges Pond at Hirsch Coliseum Friday night.
Shreveport and Lone Star had a very intense first period feeling each other out pretty good to open the series. The Bugs had the best quality scoring chance late in the period, but goalie Mitchell Gibson made a nice blocker stop to keep the game scoreless after one period of play. Mudbugs led in SOG, 10-6.
Jaxon Castor and the Mudbugs were able to hold off a strong push from the Brahmas early in the second period. The Bugs generated a few scoring chances themselves, but Gibson stood tall as well. Shreveport led in SOG< 25-20 after two periods of play.
The game stayed scoreless and looked to be destined to go into sudden death OT. That all changed when Jack Clement threw a puck to the net from the point and got tipped in from Jordan Fader which beat Mitchell Gibson at 18:37 lighting up the packed house at Georges Pond. It was Fader’s first goal of the playoffs assisted by Jack Clement and Cole Quisenberry for the game-deciding goal.
Jaxon Castor was excellent in the cage making 30 saves to preserve a 1-0 shutout in the opening game of this South Divisional Final.
The Mudbugs and Brahmas return to action tomorrow night for game 2 of the South Divisional final. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11pm in Georges Pond at Hirsch Coliseum.