The Colorado Grit fought throughout the night but ultimately fell short in a 3-2 shootout loss
against the Shreveport Mudbugs on Saturday night. The defeat marked another loss for
Colorado during their playoff push, extending their winless streak over the last two years and
sealing a weekend sweep for the Mudbugs.

The Grit came out hot, looking to snap their drought. They struck first when forward Sheldon
Rioux found the back of the net with his seventh goal of the season, giving Colorado an early 1-
0 lead. However, Shreveport wasted little time responding. Forward Andrej Paricka capitalized
and buried an unassisted goal, leveling the score at 1-1.
Colorado stole the lead back halfway through the period when Lucca Ori took advantage of a
defensive play, slipping one past the Mudbugs’ goaltender. The Grit’s momentum was short-
lived, though, as Paricka struck again, scoring his second of the game to send the teams into
the first intermission deadlocked at 2-2.
The second period saw an increase in physicality and goaltending. Both teams tightened up
defensively, and goaltenders made big saves on both sides of the ice. The Mudbugs earned two
power plays while the Grit had one, but neither team could convert. Strong defensive efforts and
solid goaltending kept the score at 2-2 heading into the third period.
The physicality continued into the third period, but the Grit struggled to generate any offensive
momentum, managing only three shots on goal. Shreveport dictated the pace for much of the
period, but Colorado’s goaltender stood firm to keep the game level. Despite a late push from
the Mudbugs, regulation ended with the same 2-2 tie that had been held since the first period.
With both teams locked in a defensive standoff, overtime provided little chance for mistakes.
The goaltenders continued to stand tall, denying every opportunity thrown their way. With
neither side able to break through, the game went into a shootout.
It took just three shooters for Shreveport to seal the victory. Colorado’s shooters were unable to
beat the Mudbugs’ netminder, while Shreveport managed to bury the winning attempt, clinching
the win and completing their weekend sweep.

Despite a promising start, the Grit remain winless over the past two seasons. Looking forward,
your Grit will take on the El Paso Rhinos on the road Friday.