Shreveport Mudbugs Host NAHL Playoff Games This Weekend

It just wouldn't feel like the North American Hockey League playoffs without the Shreveport Mudbugs. Since the Mudbugs joined the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in 2016, the team has made the playoffs every year. Twice the team has gone all the way through the playoffs to win the Robertson Cup. The last time that happened was in 2021.

While the team has continued to make the playoffs in each season since, they haven't been able to escape the Divisional Finals. They've made it that far in the last two seasons, but fell short to the Oklahoma Warriors in 2023, and the Lone Star Brahmas last year.

How Did The Shreveport Mudbugs Finish The Regular Season This Year?

This year, they finished second in the NAHL South Division, behind the Lone Star Brahmas. This secured them a "bye" in the playoffs, however the NAHL is now calling the first round a "Play-in" series. But either way, the team did not have to play this past weekend, as their first playoff opponent did have to play. Now the Mudbugs will get to host their playoff series in Shreveport.

Who Are The Shreveport Mudbugs Playing In The Playoffs?

The team the Mudbugs will play are the Corpus Christi Ice Rays, who had to win the best 2 out of 3 against the Colorado Grit last weekend to advance in the NAHL Playoffs. Now they will make their way to Shreveport to face the Mudbugs...and to try and get revenge.

Going into the last weekend of the regular season, the Ice Rays had possession of the #2 seed in the NAHL South Division, and the Mudbugs were #3 in the standings. That final weekend of the season saw a matchup between the Ice Rays and Mudbugs in Shreveport, where if the Mudbugs won the weekend, they took second place. Which is exactly what they did.

By beating Corpus Christi that weekend, the Mudbugs earned that 2nd seed, and avoided having to play in the first week of post-season action, while the Ice Rays were forced into action. Now, after beating Colorado, the Ice Rays have to come back to Shreveport to try and do what they couldn't at the end of the regular season. While the Mudbugs will look to defend home ice, just like they did a couple weekends ago.