NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX — As the old adage goes, all good things must come to an end. That certainly held true for the Brahmas and their 14-game win streak, which came crashing to a halt this past weekend as they suffered a sweep at the hands of the Shreveport Mudbugs.
On Friday night, the Brahmas went down by a goal midway through the first. Although John Zimmerman’s first goal of the year served as the equalizer in the second, the ‘Bugs capitalized on some friendly puck luck in the second to regain the lead.
The score would remain 3-1 for the rest of the game despite the Brahmas’ push in the third period, during which they outshot the Mudbugs 19-1. Shreveport goaltender Dylan Lubbesmeyer came up huge in the last twenty minutes to keep the Brahmas off the board.
It was the Brahmas’ first defeat since December 10th.
The Brahmas’ offense found more success on Saturday night, with goals from Julian Biondo, Drake Glover, and Jack Zielinski. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to overcome a dominant performance from the NAHL’s leading goal-scorer Frankie Melton, who registered a hat trick. Shreveport’s Gueorgui Feduolov also turned in a three-point night in his return from a three-game suspension.
Shreveport would win 4-3 on Saturday despite another late push from the Brahmas, who doubled up the Mudbugs on shots in the third period.
This is only the second time that the Brahmas have lost back-to-back games this season and the first time that they have been swept. Key absences in the lineup undoubtedly had an effect on the team — Drake Glover, Hunter Stanley, Troy York, Justin Addamo, and Simon Loof all missed time this weekend.
However Lone Star remains comfortably in first place in the South. Shreveport takes a share of second place with this sweep — and have one game in hand over the Wichita Falls Wildcats, with whom they share second.
The Brahmas will look to get back on track as they continue their homestand against the Odessa Jackalopes this Friday and Saturday at NYTEX Sports Centre. Puck drop for both evenings is at 7:30. Make sure you join us early on Friday for our hat giveaway. Supplies are limited!