The Shreveport Mudbugs have been on a roller coaster ride after a long and enduring six-week road trip. A home visit has sparked a six-game winning streak and a trip out of the cellar in the South Division. With some help of a weekend sweep of the El Paso Rhinos by the New Mexico Wolves, Shreveport has moved to sixth place and tied with Wichita Falls on points at seventh and a point above El Paso. The next goal is to get into playoff positioning and get at least to fourth place currently held by Lone Star Brahmas. The Brahmas are currently 8 ahead of the local boys.
The Mudbugs showed control with only one penalty all weekend long on Friday night. Garrett Steele gave the Mudbugs an extra special hat trick gift on Friday in the win.
Shreveport 4, Wichita Falls 1 (Thursday)
On a rare Thursday night matchup for the Mudbugs, the Mudbugs and Wichita Falls traded puck with no score or penalties in the first period. Wichita Falls edged out the Mudbugs 7-6 in shots.
The Mudbugs started to give the fans some goals. Davis Goukler netted the first goal a little over two minutes into the second period. Lukas Sedlacek and Tyler Behl were gifted with the assists. A double bit of excitement where Sedlacek received his opportunity to score a goal to push the lead to 2-0. Goukler and Connor Gatto were credited with assists. At the same time, Owen Dyer was sent to the penalty box for slashing. Shreveport took the 2-0 lead headed into the final period. Shreveport outshot Wichita Falls 9-4.
The Mudbugs continued to roll into the third as Drake Morse and Goukler picked up his second assist. Shreveport continued to play a clean penalty-free game. Not the case for the Warriors. Max Dronen gave went to the sin bin for cross-checking. The Warrior kept the score from increasing. Halfway through the third period, Vincent Corcoran scored for Wichita Falls. Dronen returned to the penalty box for checking from behind. Wichita Falls pulled its goalie to gain a man advantage with 2:55 left. Lukas Sedlacek scored the empty netter 16 seconds later to get the 4-1 win.
Shreveport 4, Wichita Falls 1 (Friday)
Shreveport started fast scoring in the first two minutes with a goal by Garrett Steele. The combo of Goukler and Gatto gave the assists. A little less than five minutes later Jake Mack put his mark on the series with a goal. Gunner Moore and Billy Feczko were given the assists. Though the Mudbugs took a 2-0 lead into the second period, Wichita Falls outshot Shreveport 9-5.
The first power play with 7:57 remaining in the second period when Adam Smith was caught on a hooking penalty. The Mudbugs took advantage of the power play 34 seconds later and Steele picked up his second goal of the game. Austin Brimmer and Gatto gained the assists. Shreveport had built a 3-0 lead to carry into the final period.
Wichita Falls was not going to give the sweep quietly. Joseph Harguindeguy scored the Warriors’ first goal five minutes into the final period. Austin Brimmer was sent to the penalty box for the only Mudbugs penalty of the series on a charging call. Shreveport survived their lone power play and maintained their 3-1 lead. Wichita Falls closed in with less than two minutes to go with a goal by Ryan Robinson. The warrior last chance pulled the goalie. On a last shot of the game, Garrett Steele scored the empty netter and grabbed his hat trick.
Mudbugs will take a Christmas break but will have a New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day matchup with the New Mexico Ice Wolves at 7:11 pm each night.
First Line
| Player | Position | Stats | |
| Davis Goukler | D | 1 goal, 3 asst, 2 shots, +6 | |
| Tyler Behl | D | 1 asst, 2 shots, +5 | |
| Lukas Sedlacek | F | 2 goals, 1 asst, 5 shots, +2 | |
| Billy Feczko | F | 1 asst, 6 shots, +3 | |
| Devon Bobak | G | 53 saves, 2 wins | |
Second Line
| Player | Position | Stats |
| Gunner Moore | D | 1 assist |
| (tie) John Hallard, Trenton Heyde, Evan Mitchell | D | -1 |
| Garrett Steele | F | 3 goals, 5 shots, +1 |
| Connor Gatto | F | 3 assist, 4 shots, +2 |
South Division Standings
| W-L-OTL-SOL | Pts | |
| New Mexico | 18-8-1-1 | 38 |
| Amarillo | 18-8-0-1 | 37 |
| Odessa | 17-10-1-1 | 36 |
| Lone Star | 14-7-4-2 | 34 |
| Corpus Christi | 13-14-2-0 | 28 |
| Shreveport | 11-11-1-3 | 26 |
| Wichitia Falls | 10-12-4-2 | 26 |
| El Paso | 11-14-2-1 | 25 |
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