Odessa, TX – Dylan Johnson netted two shorthanded goals to lead the Odessa Jackalopes (33-22-3-2) over the Shreveport Mudbugs (41-12-3-4) by a score of 5-2 on Saturday night. Saturday was the final regular season game of the season for both of these teams.
Matt Brown kicked the scoring off halfway through the second period to give the Jacks a 1-0 lead. Brown carried the puck coast-to-coast, threaded the needle between two defenders, and snapped a shot past the glove hand of Gustavs Grigals to gain the advantage.
Halfway through the second period, the Jackalopes found themselves shorthanded, but it didn’t matter. Dylan Johnson and Zac Herrmann joined forces to net two shorthanded goals, expanding the lead to three. Viktor Johansson added one on a power play to increase the lead to 4, as the three goals came within 2:22 of one another.
Shreveport would find their way on the score sheet after a questionable penalty as Cam Cook netted the only two goals for Shreveport on the night.
Cook’s goals were sandwiched by another shorthanded goal for Dylan Johnson, his second of the contest. With roughly 3 ½ minutes remaining, Shreveport headed to the man advantage where head coach Karlis Zirnis pulled his goaltender to try and give his team a chance with the extra man. Johnson blocked a shot at the blue line and skate down for the empty net goal while shorthanded, sealing the deal for Odessa.
Alex Cammare made big save after big save as he stopped 45 attempts from the Mudbugs on the night to earn his 18th win of the season, tying Jonny Hogue (‘17-‘18) for second most in a single-season. Gustavs Grigals started the game for Shreveport, but he was pulled after giving up the third goal, stopping only 11 shots to take the loss. Jaxon Castor stopped 11 of his own in relief.
The regular season may be over, but the Jackalopes don’t miss a step as they head to North Richland Hills to take on the Lone Star Brahmas in the first round of the 2018 NAHL South Divisional Playoffs. Visit the Brahmas website or call their office to buy tickets for next weekend’s contests. The Jacks return home on April 20th to take on the Brahmas in game 3 of 5 in the series.
The 2017-2018 Odessa Jackalopes single game playoff tickets are on sale now! To reserve your seats, contact the Jackalopes’ ticket office today at 432-552-7825 or hop on to www.odessajackalopes.org for more information.
Also, be sure to follow the Jackalopes on Twitter and Facebook (@LetsGoJacks), Instagram (odessajackalopes), and add us on Snapchat (odessajacks) all year long.
— ODESSA JACKALOPES —