The Mudbugs' Tyrel Lucas is crowded by Craig Minard and Jordan Cameron

Brahmas win sixth straight against Mudbugs

Jaeger holds off third period rally, gets 10th win

The Texas Brahmas improved to 16-8-3 after defeating the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 4-3 at the CenturyTel Center last night. It was the Brahmas sixth win in a row against the Mudbugs who have been stymied by the Bulls all season. The win puts the Brahmas within two points of the Division-leading Laredo Bucks and remain in third place is the Southern Conference.

The Brahmas had an efficient beginning to the game, scoring on their first two shots of the game to take a 2-0 lead in the first period. The Brahmas would only take four shots in the period.

The first came at the 8:26 mark, seven seconds into the Brahmas first powerplay opportunity when Tyler Skworchinski was able to tip the puck into the net off a Kevin McLeod shot from the point. Craig Minard was also credited with the assist, the first of three for the Brahmas' captain.

The next shot came at the 16:21 mark when Matt Burto fed the puck to Minard who took a shot from the left point. Grant Jacobsen had his stick in place to redirect it, beating Mudbugs goaltender Jon Horrell to make it 2-0.

Although the Mudbugs controlled the tempo of the first period and outshot the Brahmas 16-4, they were unable to capitalize on four powerplays and couldn't find a way to beat Brett Jaeger.

The second period started poorly for the 'Bugs. On the powerplay due to hooking call against Pete Rouleau at the end of the first period, Jordan Cameron was able to force a turnover in the Mudbugs left faceoff circle and hit a lazy shot toward Jon Horrell that went off the left post. Tyler Skworchinski was there to deflect the puck and beat Horrell at the :59 mark. Horrell was pulled and Ryan Mior took his place in the net.

J.R. Bria’s slapshot from the point at the 3:30 mark beat Brett Jaeger on the stick side and brought the Mudbugs back into the game. J.J. Martin was credited for the assist.

Mudbugs captain Chris Brassard took on Brahmas defenseman Matt Hanson at the 15:47 mark resulting in his being sent to the locker room early. Hanson was able to get a couple of solid lefts in before the two were separated by linesmen. Hanson was assessed a roughing minor and Brassard was allowed back in to serve a four minute roughing double minor. Both players avoided a fighting major.

Late in the period, Craig Minard and Jordan Cameron set up Kevin McLeod’s powerplay tally which got the three-goal advantage back for the Brahmas.

The Brahmas had the shot advantage in the middle period and led 4-1 after 40 minutes. Once again, the Mudbugs were held to no points on five more powerplays.

A few minutes into the third period, Dan Wildfong went off on the officials when they failed to make a boarding call after Jordan Cameron was shoved into the boards. Wildfong was assessed a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct for some "abusive" language and was ejected with a game misconduct. He watched the last 16 minutes of the game from the stands while Ron Vogel coached for the remainder of the game.

The Mudbugs pushed hard in the last 20 minutes, scoring twice to get within one goal. Defenseman Todd Paul scored when his wrist shot from the point made it through traffic and into the back of the net to make it 4-2 at the 10:24 mark. Tyrel Lucas and Simon Mangos assisted.

A few minutes later, J.J. Martin won a faceoff getting the puck back to David Pszenyczny, who fired a shot off Jaeger’s glove and into the top corner to cut the Brahmas' lead to just one.

Scott Muscutt pulled Mior at the end of the period but the extra attacker didn't help the Mudbug cause. Tyler Skworchinski had a chance for a hat trick with seven seconds left as he rushed the empty net but Dale Lupul blocked him and the game ended with the Brahmas getting their third win in a row.

The Mudbugs outshot the Brahmas 13-3 in the final period and 35-17 in the game.

Mudbugs head coach Scott Muscutt was clearly frustrated after the game.

"We didn't do the things you have to do," Muscutt told the Shreveport Times' Kelly Morris. "We didn't go after our power play with a killer instinct. We stood on the perimeter and took shots. We can play with that desperation, but we have to understand it's a 60-minute hockey game."

The Mudbugs players were given an early Christmas present in the form of a post-game coaching session.

"I told them to be in my office in 10 minutes," Muscutt said. "We got a video lecture that will go until 1:30 to 2 in the morning."

Brett Jaeger earned the win, his third against the Mudbugs, stopping 32 of 35 shots. His record improves to 10-4-3-1. Although he surrendered just one of the four goals, Ryan Mior took the loss, stopping nine of the ten shots he faced. His record goes to 6-5-0.

The Brahmas were 2 for 8 on the powerplay. Their penalty killer held off the Mudbug special teams who went 0 for 9 on the man-advantage. They improved their road record to 7-6-2.

The Brahmas were assessed 30 minutes for 11 infractions and the 'Bugs were assessed 18 minutes on 9 infractions.

Mudbug J.J. Martin was awarded the third star for his second period goal which prevented the shutout. Brett Jaeger earned the second star for his performance in the net. Tyler Skworchinski was given the first star for his two goals on two shots.

You can view the box score here

The Brahmas get a two day break for Christmas and will return to the ice on Friday night to begin a four-game home stand. First up is the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. The game begins at 7:05pm and will be shown on Nifty-TV.

Photo Credit: Douglas Collier/The Shreveport Times