SHREVEPORT, LA–The Shreveport Mudbugs return from a refreshed and recharged week off to take on the Oklahoma Warriors on the road in Oklahoma City at the Blazers Ice Centre on November 6th and 7th, riding the best start in franchise history across their time in the WPHL, CHL, and NAHL. Holding a 13–2–1 record, the Bugs currently sit atop both the South Division and the entire NAHL with 27 points. Their high-powered offense features three players in the top 20 of league points: Evan Hoglund (22 points), William-Alexis Tremblay (21 points), and defenseman Antoine Cormier (20 points), who leads all NAHL defensemen in points. Between the pipes, goaltender Kristers Plepis has played a pivotal role in the team’s success, leading the NAHL with 10 wins on the season. His strong play has drawn national attention, earning him a “W” rating on the NHL Central Scouting Players to Watch List, which would project him as a potential 6th- or 7th-round pick in the NHL Draft.
LAST TIME OUT: During an intense three-games-in-three-days stretch (October 23–25), the Mudbugs gained 4 out of 6 points. On Friday, the Bugs saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end in a 6–2 loss to Lone Star, despite goals from Gunner Gullstrand and Antoine Cormier (who was later named the South Division Star of the Week) Shreveport answered back on Saturday night in a tight 4–2 victory to split the series. After “Diamond” Duke Ehrhard built an early two-goal lead for the Bugs, Lone Star tied the game at 2, but strong third-period goaltending from Jack Greenwell and two clutch goals by Swedish defenseman Robin Israelsson secured the win. Following a 5.5-hour bus ride, the Mudbugs capped off the grueling weekend on Sunday afternoon with a 3–2 win over the Odessa Jackalopes. Antoine Cormier scored twice and Duke Ehrhard in-between as well to build a 3–1 lead. Cormier was assessed a game misconduct in the third that will carry a one-game suspension this weekend. Odessa pulled within one late in the third period and nearly tied the game, but both on and off-ice officials confirmed the puck hit the post, allowing goalie Kristers Plepis and the Bugs to hold on for the victory and capture 4 out of 6 points on the weekend.
THIS WEEKS OPPONENT: The Bugs’ opponent this weekend is the Oklahoma Warriors. This is the first meeting of these two sides this season and for the Warriors by the numbers, they come into this weekend with a 6-6-1 Record and currently sit at sixth place in the division with 13 points. Forward and Assistant Captain Olivier Laverdiere leads the Warriors on points with 17 followed by Max Gagnon with 14 and Jackson Hone with 12. Goaltending wise, Jakob Hanlan currently has a .9142 Save Percentage and 4 wins on the season for the Warriors. The Warriors as a team have a Goal Differential of 7 and and a Goals For/Against of 46-39. The Warriors come off a two-game sweep last weekend of the Amarillo Wranglers by respective scores of 7-2 and 6-2.
WHERE TO WATCH/LISTEN: Duncan Welker will hit the airwaves with the Landers Dodge Pregame Warmup Show starting at 6:45 Central Time on both NATV and the Mudbugs Audio Network. Puck Drop for both games is set for 7:00 PM.
NEXT HOME GAME: The Mudbugs will return home November 27th and 28th against El Paso for Military Appreciation Weekend as we celebrate active and retired military members. The Bugs will don specialty Military Jerseys both nights and will be auctioned off on Saturday the 28th. Tickets are available at here (tickets.georgespond34.com) or by calling the front office at 318-636-7094