The Red River Mudbugs picked up four points in a busy three-game stretch of Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League action last week, rebounding from an overtime loss with back-to-back wins against Ste. Anne.
Red River opened the week with a 5–4 overtime loss to the East St. Paul Gators on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at St. Jean Arena. The Mudbugs trailed 3–1 after the first period but responded with goals from Owen Fehr and Traeton Peters in the second to take a brief lead. Eli Bergman added a third-period marker to give Red River a 4–3 advantage before East St. Paul scored twice late in regulation to force overtime. Tyler Blanchette made 24 saves in the loss.
The Mudbugs responded emphatically Friday night with an 8–3 home win over the Ste. Anne Aces. After a 1–1 first period, Red River scored six unanswered goals over the final two frames. Oakley Peters scored twice and added an assist, while Gavin Hildebrandt recorded three points. The Mudbugs went 3-for-6 on the power play, while Connor Parago stopped 30 shots for the win.
Red River followed that performance with a 5–4 shootout victory over Ste. Anne on Saturday night at Maurice Chaput Arena. The Mudbugs erased multiple deficits, tying the game late in the third period on a goal from Reece Fehr. After a scoreless overtime, Fehr and Gavin Wiens scored in the shootout to secure the win, while Blanchette turned aside 35 shots.
Following the weekend, Red River sits eighth in the HTJHL standings at 10-16-1 with 21 points, five points ahead of East St. Paul in the race for the final playoff spot. The Mudbugs trail seventh-place Grunthal by six points.
Red River returns to action Wednesday night at home against East St. Paul, followed by a Friday matchup with Springfield and a Saturday road game against Steinbach.
