The Shreveport Mudbugs (34-9-6) were led by Braiden Dorfman’s hat trick effort to top the Amarillo Bulls, 4-1 Tuesday afternoon from the Amarillo Civic Center.
The Mudbugs despite getting out-shot 16-9 in the first period were able to get the game’s first goal at 12;28 on the PP. It was a simple and pretty play which was scored on an easy tip in front from Braiden Dorfman to give Shreveport the early 1-0 lead. Joe Mack and Dawson Sciarrino earned the assists on Dorfman’s team-leading 19th tally of the season.
Amarillo would even the score on a PP of their own when Jere Vaisanen would rifle home his 15th tally of the year from the RW circle to make it a 1-1 contest at 5:10 of the 2nd period. The Bugs, however would respond yet again as Austin Brimmer would feed the puck through the slot and it was Dorfman again who drilled home his second goal of the game and 20th of the campaign to give Shreveport the lead back at 2-1. Brimmer earned the only assist on Dorfman’s goal at 14:28 of the middle period. Amarillo led in SOG, 31-20 after two.
The Bugs would survive a late push from the Bulls in the third period and it was Matt Vermaeten who went glove side on a breakaway for a short-handed tally to extend the Shreveport lead to 3-1 with five minutes to play. Shreveport would put the icing on the cake when Dorfman shot in a PP/EN goal for his first hat trick and the fifth Bugs player to do it this season. It was Dorfman’s 21st tally of the season which made it a 4-1 contest. .
Cole Hudson was terrific to earn his 19th win of the season making 40 saves on the day.
The Bugs and Bulls will conclude their two-game series at the Amarillo Civic Center tomorrow night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.