The Topeka Pilots had a hard time keeping the foot on the gas pedal Friday night against the Shreveport Mudbugs
Topeka (11-10-2) played a strong third period and garnered some momentum in the last 10 minutes, but down 3-0 entering the final 20 minutes, they could not surmount a comeback, falling 3-1 in front of 1,208 fans at Landon Arena.
The Pilots’ lone tally came at 15:43 of the third, when forward Hugh Quinn sniped a shot past goaltender Leo Chuard while on the powerplay.
Goaltender Emil Gransoe made his way off the ice in favor of an extra attacker in the waning minutes, but the Pilots would get no closer.
“It just a case of too little too late tonight,” Pilots head coach Simon Watson said. “We struggled the first two periods and Shreveport took advantage of our mistakes.”
In the first period, Topeka had some good chances early on, but they could not solve Chuard, who was strong in net on the night. He stopped 32 of 33 shots on the evening.
The lone tally of the frame came at 15:39, as forward Jay Feiwell buried his fifth goal of the season to make it 1-0 Mudbugs.
The second period was dominated by Shreveport (11-8-3), who outshot Topeka 17-8 in the frame.
Forwards Ethan Harrison and Lukass Sicevs added to the Mudbugs’ lead with goals at 4:04 and 10:48, making it 3-0 heading into the third.
The Pilots will look to rebound in game two of the series at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Landon Arena. Tickets for Saturday’s game will be buy one, get one free at the Expocentre box office.
