The Shreveport Mudbugs (9-8-2) rallied late in the 3rd period to defeat the Odessa Jackalopes, 4-3 Friday night at Georges Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.
The Bugs and Jacks traded powerplay chances in the opening period. Shreveport out-shot Odessa, 11-8 in a scoreless frame after one period of play.
The Mudbugs finally broke through on the powerplay snapping an 0 for 20 drought when Jay Feiwell threw it in front of traffic and scored his third goal of the year at 8:35 of the 2nd period. C.J. McGee grabbed the only assist on the PP goal to give the Bugs the 1-0 edge. The Bugs carried that momentum as Ethan Harrison was able to poke home his team-leading eighth goal of the year in front of the cage assisted by Bradley Jenion and Gueorgui Feduolov at 15:54 of the 2nd. Shreveport led 2-0 when Odessa scored on a busted play to cut the lead in half at 2-1 after two periods of play. Odessa out-shot Shreveport, 29-24 after two.
After Odessa scored twice in the 3rd period, the Mudbugs had to dig deep in the 3rd period trailing for the first time in the game. C.J. McGee would score his fifth tally on a busted play in front tying the game up 3-3 at 11:40 of the 3rd period. Feiwell and Anton Rubstov earned the assists on McGee’s goal. Then all of a sudden just 27 seconds later, Feiwell popped in the game-winner with a logjam in front of the cage at 12:07 dramatically giving Shreveport a 4-3 lead. Ryan Dickinson grabbed the only assist on Feiwell’s goal.
Leo Chuard made 40 saves to pick up his sixth win of the season which included some sprawling saves in the final minutes of the game.
Shreveport now has won 11 straight contests at Georges Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.
The Bugs and Jacks conclude their two-game set tomorrow night at Georges Pond in Hirsch Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.