The Shreveport Mudbugs continue to push their way past the top two teams in the South Division. The Mudbugs made it three out of four wins over the New Mexico Ice Wolves and Lone Star Brahmas. The wins kept the Mudbugs in seventh place, but are two points behind a playoff spot.
Mudbugs 3, Brahmas 2 (OT) (Friday)
The arch-rival Brahmas showed they meant business right out on the ice. Nicholas Niemo scored in the first two minutes. Seconds after the first goal Connor Gatto was sent to the penalty box for hooking. Shreveport contained the power play. The Mudbugs tied the game with a goal from Logan Valkama with assists from Garrett Steele and Drake Morse. Timofei Khokhlachev’s goal pushed the Mudbugs into the lead. Lukas Sedlacek was credited with the assist. The action-packed scoring in the first period closed with a little over seven minutes remaining with a second goal from Nicholas Nemo. The two ended the first period tied 2-2.
The scoring came in a flurry in the first period, but a drought occurred in the second. The two teams went to 4 on 4 when Devon Bobak was charged with delay of game and Brahmas’ Jackson Borst was called for high sticking. Neither team could net a goal. Shreveport received one more power-play behind Jack Collin’s boarding penalty. The two teams remained tied after two periods 2-2. Lone Star outshot Shreveport 20-12 over the two periods.
The quiet third period saw both teams at full strength and neither break the tie. Shots were few as Lone Star edged Shreveport 5-4.
Shreveport took the win with 21 seconds remaining when Connor Gatto scored. Logan Valkama and Trenten Heyde grabbed assists.
Mudbugs 2, Brahmas 0 (Saturday)
The Mudbugs gave up an early power play with a tripping call on Niklas Miller. Power play defense held strong. Shreveport was given the opportunity when Bauer Swift was sent to the penalty box for checking from behind. No luck on a power-play goal for the Mudbugs. The Mudbugs took the lead with a little over eight minutes as Lukas Sedlacek lit the lamp. John Hallard and Trenten Heyde were credited with the assists. Tensions grew with the arch-rivals. Mudbug Niklas Miller and Lone Star’s Tanner Daniels we’re sent to the sin bin for roughing. Neither team. could score on the 4 on 4. Shreveport carried the 1-0 lead into the second period. Lone Star outshot Shreveport 5-4.
The Brahmas got the one-man advantage with Jonah Copre’s hooking penalty. Shreveport successfully killed the 20th consecutive power play. Shreveport has not given a power-play goal since January 7 against Wichita Falls. Shreveport was given three more power-play opportunities in the period but the 1-0 lead remained. Lone Star for the 5 of 6 periods the Brahmas outshot Shreveport.
Shreveport only took 4 shots in the third period. Connor Gatto made his count with a goal with 4:37 remaining. Timofei Khokhlachev and Burke Simpson gathered the assists. The goal sealed the sweep for the Brahmas for the weekend.
The Mudbugs are just halfway through the first and second place gauntlet. Shreveport will have Week 3 at home against first-place New Mexico Ice Wolves.
First Line
| Player | Position | Stats |
| Trenton Heyde | D | 2 ast, 3 shots, +2 |
| John Hallard | D | 1 ast |
| Timofei Khokhlachev | F | 1 goal, 1 ast, 5 shots, +1 |
| Logan Valkama | F | 1 goal, 1 ast, 5 shots, +1 |
| Devon Bobak | G | 51 saves, 2 wins, 1 shutout |
Second Line
| Player | Position | Stats |
| Gunner Moore | D | 2 shots, +2 |
| Davis Goukler | D | 1 shot, +1 |
| Connor Gatto | F | 2 goals, 3 shots, +2 |
| Lukas Sedlacek | F | 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 shots, +1 |
South Division
| W-L-OTL-SOL | Pts | |
| New Mexico | 25-10-1-2 | 53 |
| Lone Star | 20-10-5-2 | 47 |
| Odessa | 21-14-1-2 | 45 |
| Wichita Falls | 17-14-5-2 | 41 |
| Amarillo | 19-16-1-1 | 40 |
| Corpus Christi | 19-18-2-0 | 40 |
| Shreveport | 17-14-1-4 | 39 |
| El Paso | 13-21-2-1 | 29 |
This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. I will only recommend products that I have personally used! Learn more on my Private Policy page.