The boys needed a little taste of home to get back on track as they not only got the win but thanks to some swagger defense and goalkeeper Devon Bobak slammed two shutouts against the Amarillo Wranglers at George’s Pond on Friday and Saturday night. The defense accounted for 4 of the 7 goals for the weekend. Defenseman Gunner Moore scored two goals for the Mudbugs for the weekend. Shreveport had back-to-back shutouts last year beating the Wichita Falls Warriors 6-0 and the then Amarillo Bulls 4-0 bot on the road. The Mudbugs have not treated the hometown crowd to back-to-back series shutouts since February 28 and 29 of the shortened 2019-2020 season by sweeping Odessa 6-0 and 3-0, respectively.
The Shreveport boys picked up a crucial 4 points in the standing and are still 6 points out of seventh place, but they are not but 8 points out of a fourth-place playoff spot. They will have to do some more clawing up the standings but this was a start.
Shreveport 3, Amarillo 0 (Friday)
The Mudbugs started the game early being down in just over a minute a player as Connor Gatto headed to the penalty box on a tripping call. The defense held strong and killed the power play. About three minutes later, Mudbug Tyler Behl and Wrangler Mason Henrickson were charged with roughing giving some 4 on 4 actions. No one scored during the 4 on 4. Shreveport got its first power play with a holding call on Oliver Bezick. The Wranglers killed the power play, but about 30 seconds back at full strength Gunner Moore nailed the first goal of the game. Logan Gotinsky was given the assist. The Mudbugs made a statement heading into the second period as Austin Brimmer scored with 11 seconds remaining in the first period. Jacob Onstott and Trenten Heyde were credited with the assists. Shreveport outshot Amarillo 8-7.
Shreveport spent three trips to the penalty box giving power-play opportunities to the Wranglers. For 29 seconds midway through the midway of the period, the Wranglers had a 5 on 3 opportunity. The defense stood strong and kept the clean sheet going. With 5:17 remaining in the second period, Logan Gotinsky scored the Mudbugs’ third goal. Heyde and Mack Taylor were given assists. Shreveport took the 3-0 lead into the final period.
Shreveport had to endure a physical third period to break the six-game losing streak. Round one went between Amarillo’s Matej Palfy and Mudbug Logan Gotinsky. Both were sent to the sin bin, but the 4 on 4 didn’t produce any goals. The second round was a little more costly. Patrick Roginski and Drayton Todoroff squared off with 1:09 remaining. Both were ejected and the instigator minor gave the Wranglers a power play for the close of the game, but the Mudbugs maintained the shutout.
Shreveport 4, Amarillo 0 (Saturday)
The Mudbugs gave up the first power-play opportunity with a holding call against Trenton Hesse. Shreveport’s defense saved the day again. The chippy play started early for the night with five minutes remaining in the first period. Mudbugs captain Garrett Steele and Amarillo’s Dominic Schimizzi were called for roughing giving the third 4 on 4 opportunity of the weekend. Neither team scored in the first period. Shreveport outshot Amarillo 9-7 in the first period.
The Mudbugs got the first power-play opportunity early in the second period with a holding call against Jase Sofo. Shreveport didn’t score on the power play, but Gunner Moore grabbed his second goal of the series. Evan Mitchell was credited with the assist. Shreveport struck again with 8:15 remaining on a Jake Mack goal with an assist from Drake Morse and Tyler Behl. Shreveport got another power play later in the period with a charging minor penalty. Mudbugs took the 2-0 lead into the final period. Mudbugs outshot the Wranglers 13-5.
Shreveport added an insurance goal just two and a half minutes into the third period with a goal by defenseman John Hallard and assist to Garrett Steele and Trenten Heyde. Less than 20 seconds later, Shreveport was put in a power play with a roughing call against Drayton Todoroff. The Wranglers killed the power play. Logan Gotinsky gave a power play on a hooking call. The defense still did not give a call. The frustration for the Wranglers showed through with Jase Sofo getting caught with checking from behind. This resulted in a 2-minute minor along with a 10 minute miscellaneous. Amarillo Michael Spinner was also given a 10 minute miscellaneous for abuse of an official. Mudbugs took advantage with a Davis Goukler goal. Assists were given to Jacob Onstott and Billy Feczko. The Mudbugs 4-0 lead held on for the second shutout of the weekend.
The much-needed home wins are going to be followed by a one weekend trip to El Paso Rhinos. The Mudbugs need to grab the next four points to climb out of the cellar of the South Division. The Mudbugs will be home for the next four series after El Paso and will not be back on the road until January 21.
First Line
| Player | Position | Stats |
| Gunner Moore | D | 2 goals, 3 shots, +2 |
| Trenten Heyde | D | 3 assists, 3 shots, +4 |
| Logan Gotinsky | F | 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 shots, +2 |
| Jake Mack | F | 1 goal, 6 shots, +2 |
| Devon Bobak | G | Back to Back Shutouts; 36 saves, 2 wins |
Second Line
| Player | Position | Stats |
| John Hallard | D | 1 goal, 5 shots, +2 |
| Davis Goukler | D | 1 goal, 3 shots, +2 |
| Austin Brimmer | F | 1 goal, 4 shots, +1 |
| Jacob Onstott | F | 2 assists, 2 shots, +2 |
South Standings
| Games | W-L-OTL-SOL | Points | |
| New Mexico | 24 | 16-7-1-0 | 33 |
| Amarillo | 23 | 16-7-0-0 | 32 |
| Odessa | 25 | 15-9-0-1 | 31 |
| Lone Star | 23 | 10-7-4-2 | 26 |
| Wichita Falls | 24 | 10-8-4-2 | 26 |
| El Paso | 24 | 11-11-2-0 | 24 |
| Corpus Christi | 25 | 11-12-2-0 | 24 |
| Shreveport | 22 | 7-11-1-3 | 18 |
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