The Mudbugs took 4 of 5 from current playoff contenders in the last two weeks. Shreveport has climbed into the saddle for a playoff spot and getting more comfortable with a 4 point lead over fifth-place Odessa. Twelve points (6 wins over the next eight games) will clinch a playoff spot. El Paso is the only team that is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. New Mexico and Lone Star could clinch one of the four coveted spots. The ride for the next three weeks could be Nerve-wracking and fun.
Mudbugs 3, New Mexico 2 (SO) Friday
The Mudbugs and the Ice Wolves each gave a power play in the first period but neither could capitalize on the power play. Shreveport outshot the Ice Wolves 12-7. No score, though, in the first period.
Both teams kept it clean in the second period as Logan Valkama went to the penalty box for holding. Shreveport killed the power play. The Mudbugs scored first with a shot from Logan Gotinsky and assists by Lukas Sedlacek and Carter Green. With a little over three minutes remaining in the second period, New Mexico evened the game at 1-1 with a goal by Brandon Holt. The two remained at a 1-1 tie at the end of the second period. New Mexico
New Mexico’s Sully Schole gave Shreveport an opening with a checking from behind that resulted in a two-minute minor and 10 minute miscellaneous. The Ice Wolves survived the power play. Shreveport took the lead with 6:26 remaining in the final period with a second goal by Logan Gotinsky and a second assist by Lukas Sedlacek. Davis Goukler was charged with a tripping call and gave a late third-period power play. Shreveport outlasted it, but 20 seconds later with 1:07 left, New Mexico’s Wilmer Svensson netted the tying goal at 2-2. For the third consecutive Shreveport would head to an extra period.
New Mexico got the edge on shooting in overtime with 4-2 on shots. Devon Bobak was called for tripping with 3 seconds remaining. The Mudbugs headed towards their third consecutive shoot-out.
New Mexico and Shreveport’s first two shooters failed to score. Austin Brimmer put the first goal in the shoot-out. Devon Bobak held strong on the final shot of the shootout to give Shreveport their fourth consecutive win.
Mudbugs 2, New Mexico 1, Saturday
The Mudbugs made sure the Ice Wolves knew this was a business trip to Albuquerque. Just a little over three minutes into the game Garrett Steele scored with the help of Jacob Onstott and Carter Green. New Mexico would outshoot Shreveport 12-6, but the Mudbugs have the 1-0 lead heading into the second period.
The second period saw the two teams swapping possession with no goals or penalties until the last three minutes. Timofei Khokhlachev increased the Mudbugs’ lead to 2-0 with an unassisted goal. Less than a minute later, New Mexico closed the gap with a Sully Scholle. Austin Brimmer and Burke Simpson would get a little testy with William Howard and Joe Proudy. Dillan Bently was also assessed for a roughing call and Mudbugs would get a 44 second power play that would stretch into the third period.
The Ice Wolves would survive the carry-forwarded penalty. Shreveport would maintain their lead for the sweep of the Southern Division leaders with the 2-1 win.
Wichita Falls 3, Shreveport 0, Wednesday
A clean sweep of playoff teams over the last two weeks was not going to happen with a makeup game on the way back from New Mexico. The sparks flew quickly as Adisen Bruek was given gross misconduct and a 5-minute major for checking from behind. The Warriors survived the massive penalty. Wichita Falls would give three more power plays during the period. Shreveport was unable to score on the opportunities. No scoring occurred in the first period. Shreveport outshot Wichita Falls 14-5.
The Warriors scored midway through the second period to take the 1-0 lead. The Mudbugs gave a power play with about two and a half minutes when Carter Green went to the sin bin with checking from behind. Wichita Falls scored with six seconds remaining in the power play. Wichita Falls took the 2-0 lead into the final period.
Another power-play goal was scored early in the third period to give the Warriors the 3-0 lead and win.
The Mudbugs’ final four series are against teams that are below fourth place, but that doesn’t mean the Mudbugs can take it easy. The Mudbugs will travel to Amarillo on Friday.
First Line
| Player | Position | Stats |
| Carter Green | D | 2 A, 3 Shots, +2 |
| Gunner Moore | D | 7 shots, 0 +/- |
| Timofei Khokkhlachev | F | 1 G, 7 Shots, +3 |
| Logan Gotinsky | F | 2 G, 4 Shots, +3 |
| Devon Bobak | G | 2 wins, 97 saves (3 games |
Second Line
| Player | Position | Stats |
| Davis Goukler | D | 3 shots +2 |
| Trenton Heyde | D | 5 shots, -2 |
| Garrett Steele | F | 1 G, 6 Shots, +1 |
| Lukas Sedlacek | F | 2 A, 9 Shots, +2 |
Southern Division
| W-L-OTL-SOL | Pts | |
| New Mexico | 34-14-1-3 | 72 |
| Lone Star | 31-11-5-5 | 72 |
| Wichita Falls | 28-16-5-3 | 64 |
| Shreveport | 28-19-1-4 | 61 |
| Odessa | 26-21-1-4 | 57 |
| Amarillo | 26-23-1-2 | 55 |
| Corpus Christi | 23-26-2-1 | 49 |
| El Paso | 13-35-2-2 | 30 |
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