Mudbugs Playoff Spot in Range

The Shreveport Mudbugs continued their second-half season surge with yet another sweep of a South Division opponent.  The victims this time were the Amarillo Wranglers.  

Though there is no love lost between these two teams, Amarillo would have a reason to be upset as their playoff chance has all but been eliminated.  Shreveport could wrap up a playoff spot next weekend.  A sweep of Odessa will put the Mudbugs into the playoff party that already has New Mexico and Lone Star.  Wichita Falls can get in next week also.  A slip by the Mudbugs and they lose both and it will be a race for the fourth spot possibly until the last game of the season. 

Shreveport will travel to Odessa next weekend for a playoff crucial series with the Jackalopes.   

Mudbugs 4, Amarillo 2

Tempers have flared between these two before and it only took 5:34 of the first game to start when John Hallard was called for holding and CJ Zezima was sent to the penalty box for a hooking call.  The 4 on 4 skating didn’t produce a goal. Late in the first period, Logan Heroux and Amarillo’s TJ Koufis gave another 4 on 4 opportunity with roughing call.  No score at the end of the first period. 

The scoring began in the second period when Danylo Korzhyletskyi gave the Wranglers the early period 1-0 lead.  Timofei Khokhlachev evened the game at 1-1 with the help of Lukas Sedlacek and Hayden Nichol.  The Mudbugs failed to take the lead on a power-play opportunity.  The two teams headed to the third period 1-1. 

Shreveport struck early in the third period when Sedlacek popped the back of the net in the first three minutes.  David Goukler and goalkeeper Simon Bucheler were credited with the assists.  Another 4 on 4 skate popped up when Garrett Steele and Bryon Russell both were called for roughing.  Khokhlachev made his second goal during the 4 on 4 with the help of Burke Simpson and Trent Heyde.  The Mudbugs had a 3-1 lead.  Amarillo closed the lead with a goal from Glebs Prohorenkovs a little less than two minutes later.  Amarillo received their first power-play opportunity when Jake Mack went to the penalty box for tripping.  Shreveport maintained its lead.  Shortly after being back at full strength, Connor Gatto gave the Mudbugs the insurance goal with assists from Austin Brimmer and Simpson.  Shreveport held on for the 4-2 win.  

Mudbugs 6, Amarillo 2

The Mudbugs headed for a sweep early.  Burke Simpson netted a goal in the first three minutes of the game.  Austin Brimmer and Evan Mitchell were given the assists.  Amarillo evened the score when Tommy Chunchokov.  Two minutes later, Amarillo struck again with a goal from Drayton Todoroff.   Amarillo took a 2-1 lead into the second period.   Shreveport outshot Amarillo 9-6.  

Mudbugs rallied in the second period as Conno Gatto scored with help from Brimmer and Simpson.   Austin Brimmer gave the Mudbugs the lead two minutes later with a goal.  Connor Gatto and Trenten Heyde were credited with the assists.  The heated rivalry showed on the ice as Connor Gatto and Logan Heroux were sent to the sin bin along with Amarillo’s Jayden Jensen and Drayton Todoroff.  The Mudbugs took a 3-2 lead at the end of two periods.  

Austin Brimmer scored his second goal in the third period to give the 4-2 lead.  Simpson and Gatto grabbed their second assists of the game.  Burke Simpson gave the Mudbugs another fast turnaround goal.  Brimmer grabbed the playmaker with his third assist.  Brimmer wasn’t done as he also grabbed a hat trick with his third goal.  Brimmer finished the win with 6 points.  

First Line

Second Line 

South Division