SteelHounds come up short against Mudbugs

Captain Jeff Christian had two goals and two assists in the losing effort.
BOSSIER CITY, La. -- The Youngstown SteelHounds (18-27-2) battled back from separate deficits priming themselves for an upset on Tuesday in the CenturyTel Center.
But the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (27-13-5) took advantage of a miscue and a fortunate bounce to extend their season-long winning streak to eight straight games with a 7-5 victory in the Central Hockey League game.
SteelHounds captain Jeff Christian had a four-point night (two goals and two assists) in the losing effort. Youngstown fell to 3-2 on its eight-game road trip.
Fast start
Bossier-Shreveport got off to a hot start taking the first 12 shots on goal and scoring the game's first goal.
Brett Smith beat goalie David St. Germain for his 22nd goal of the season and his sixth of the year versus the SteelHounds.
Youngstown responded with each team a man down as Kelly Sickavish took a blast from the point that was re-directed by Christian past Ken Carroll for his 43rd goal of the season. It was the fourth in the last two games for the reigning CHL Oakley Player of the Week.
Chris Richards and Sickavish (assists in each of his last four games) earned the assists.
The Mudbugs came back quickly, scoring the go-ahead goal less than a minute later as Chad Spurr netted his 12th goal, assisted by Chris Brassard and Quade Lightbody.
In the second period, the SteelHounds got back to even on the power play with a two-man advantage as Ben Manny beat his man along the boards and went in to backhand a shot by Carroll for his third goal, assisted by Christian, at the 2:56 mark.
Bossier-Shreveport came roaring back, scoring a pair of power-play goals of their own. The first was by Scott Sheppard (his 21st), who slapped home a loose puck in front of the net.
The second was by Dan Wildfong (18th), who threw a puck to the net that hit traffic and snuck by St. Germain.
Wild third period
The third period was as wild as it gets as the Hounds began the period on a power play and needed just 24 seconds before Joey Sewell scored -- his eighth goal of the season. He was assisted by Christian and J.R. Holmes.
Christian tied the game at 4-4 by picking off a pass shorthanded and beating Carroll with a great move.
The Mudbugs regained the lead with a long shot from Dale Lupul that fooled St. Germain.
The Hounds came back as Chris Shaffer fed Manny, who snapped a shot by Carroll.
Late rally
The game remained tied until there was less than three minutes remaining.
A turnover on the boards sent the Mudbugs in on an odd-man rush that led to Sheppard passing a puck through the crease, subsequently getting booted into the net by a 'Hound defender.
Ryan Manitowich added an empty net goal, finishing the night for Youngstown.
St. Germain recorded 36 saves and fell to 13-20-2 on the season while Carroll improved to 17-7-4 by winning his ninth straight decision.
The road trip continues Friday in Fort Worth against the Brahmas with face-off at 8:35 p.m.