Bugs Clinch Playoff Spot in Explosive Friday Victory
Published on March 28, 2026 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
The Shreveport Mudbugs (26-21-3-6) clinched a spot in the 2026 Robertson Cup Playoffs with a 5-2 win over the Amarillo Wranglers at George's Pond on Friday night.
The Bugs immediately set the tone, opening up the scoring 5:20 into the game with Charlie Burchfield netting his 9th goal of the year, with Evan Adams assisting, to make it 1-0. Burchfield added his second tally of the game, at 9:59 of the 1st, to push the bugs in front 2-0. Remy Pusateri earned helper #7 on the goal. Duke Erhard followed with a 3rd goal, his 20th, this one on the powerplay, at 6:52 in the 1st. Trailing 3-0 and outshot 15-0 at this point, the Wranglers scored on their opening shot as Jackson Nesheim went top shelf on Tyler Hodges to put Amarillo on the board, trailing 3-1.
A pair of second period goals started with a score from Evan Hoglund, sniping a one-timer past Gavin Grenuik, on a feed from John Berndt, midway through the middle frame, to put the Bugs back on top by 3 goals. Following an initial no-goal call, Hayden Hedquist was awarded a goal for Amarillo after a review, at the 7:18 mark of the period, to pull back within 2, 4-2.
John Berndt found the net, on the 3rd Bugs powerplay goal, and the only tally of the 3rd period with Tremblay earning an assist, at 8:34 of the final frame.
With the win, the Bugs clinch their spot in the 2026 Robertson Cup Playoffs. Tyler Hodges picked up the victory in this one, jumping to 16-13-2-5 overall and earning a win in his first start since 3/14 against New Mexico. He stopped 17 of 19 Amarillo shots in the effort.
The regular season series against Amarillo concludes Saturday with a 7:11pm puck drop for Great Outdoors Night at the Pond. Tickets are still available at tickets.georgespond34.com. Join us for a night of exciting raffles and exciting hockey! All the action can also be found on NATV and a free audio-only stream is available on the Mudbugs Audio Network on YouTube.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2026
- Ice Wolves Dominate Warriors, 5-3 - New Mexico Ice Wolves
- Black Bears Close out Home Schedule with a 4-1 Victory - Maryland Black Bears
- Home Game Day: Wisconsin Windigo vs. Anchorage Wolverines - Anchorage Wolverines
- Tomahawks Handle Mt. Kings for Second Straight 7-4 Victory - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Bugs Clinch Playoff Spot in Explosive Friday Victory - Shreveport Mudbugs
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