Game two between the Ice Wolves and Mudbugs was a nail-biter from start to finish. In the second game of 11-straight at the Outpost for the Ice Wolves they were able to keep the former Robertson Cup winners off the score sheet for nearly 40 minutes. In the first period shots were being fired from all angles on both ends of the ice. The previous night the Ice Wolves set a record for the most shots in the first period with 18. While they were unable to eclipse that total in game two, they did however outshoot the Mudbugs 15-13 after the first 20 minutes of play.
Shreveport ended the scoreless game with less than three minutes left in the middle frame. They were able to create a turnover while the Ice Wolves were on the power play, resulting in a breakaway for Ryan Waltman. The South Bend, Indiana native broke free for a breakaway and was able to beat Josh Graziano. Making it 1-0 Shreveport to end the middle period. Although before both sides went back to their locker room there were multiple scrums between players after the horn sounded resulting in a 4-on-4 when the final period of regulation commenced.
The Mudbugs got on the board just 2:06 into the third period, after Connor Witherspoon picked up the rebound and put it in the back of the net. The Ice Wolves kept the came close and continued to first the rubber at the Florida native, Richie Parent. As the game was coming to a close, Emil Gabrielson found the puck on his stick and snapped it past Parent to erase the goose egg for the Ice Wolves. As the clock was winding down Head Coach, Phil Fox pulled Graziano to put the extra attacker out in hopes of tying the game and forcing overtime. Unfortunately time was not on the side of the Ice Wolves as the horn sounded ending the game at 2-1 in favor of Shreveport.
New Mexico wound up outshooting Shreveport when it was all said and done, 35-29. After the close 2-1 loss, all Ice Wolves players came back out on the ice for the very first jersey auction in Ice Wolves history. The Ice Wolves were able to raise over $12,000 for “Making Strides Against Cancer.” Next weekend at the Outpost Ice Arenas, the Ice Wolves will face the Fairbanks Ice Dogs for the first time this season. Click here to get your tickets and make sure to follow us on social media @NMIceWolves.