The Shreveport Mudbugs squeezed out a dramatic goal from Warren Natyshak late in the 3rd to help lift them to a 4-2 victory over the Lone Star Brahmas Saturday night at Nytex Sports Centre evening the series, 1-1 in the 1st round best of five South Divisional Semi-final.
After a poor start to the game for the Bugs getting out-shot 8-0 to the Brahmas, the defending Robby Cup Champs rebounded nicely. Carson Nichols opened up the scoring at 5:33 as he drilled home his first goal of the playoffs. The play was made from Tim Khokhlachev who threw a centering pass in front from the right wing circle. David Breazeale earned the secondary helper on the game’s first goal putting the Bugs up 1-0. Shreveport added to their lead late in the 1st period when Conor Witherspoon threw in his first goal of the playoffs on the PP from the far corner unassisted lifting the Mudbugs to a 2-0 lead at 15:35. Shreveport led in SOG, 10-9 after one period of play.
The Brahmas responded in the 2nd period with goals from Nick Siffringer and Joey Baez at 4:09 and 15:16 respectively tying the game, 2-2. Lone Star led in SOG, 12-7 and shot totals after two periods favored the home team, 21-17 overall.
The game stayed tied 2-2 until 17:39 when Warren Natyshak threw an innocent shot towards the net which Seth Eisele wasn’t expecting and it slipped through to give Shreveport a dramatic 3-2 lead. Lone Star then had to pull their goalie and it was Matt Weber who was able to wack in a (SH,EN) goal at 18:59 to make it a 4-2 contest and seal the Bugs’ victory over the Brahmas in game 2 evening the series, 1-1.
Leo Chuard made 25 saves to pick up his first win in the NAHL playoffs.
The series will shift to George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum for Game 3 next Friday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.