Jackalopes Open Season With 3-1
Victory Over Ice Wolves
The Odessa Jackalopes opened the2026-27 regular season on the road Friday night with a 3-1 victory over the New Mexico Ice Wolves at Outpost Ice Arena. Odessa scored once in each period while goaltender Benjamin Vatis turned aside 27 of 28 shots to secure the season-opening win.
First Period | 1-1
Odessa struck first at 18:00, when Jonathan Cifaldi recorded his first goal of the season. Xander Mullens and Patrick Thomas picked up the assists, giving the Jackalopes an early 1-0 advantage.
New Mexico answered at 7:43 as Max Stracar scored his first of the season, assisted by Parker Thompson and William Tanny, tying the game at 1-1.
The opening frame also saw Joseph Biermeister of New Mexico assessed a two-minute minor for tripping/clipping at 16:45, while Odessa’s Jonathan Cifaldi received a two-minute hooking minor at 18:30.
New Mexico controlled the shot count in the first, outshooting Odessa 15-5, but Vatis’ work in net kept the game even heading into intermission.
Second Period | Odessa Leads 2-1
The Jackalopes regained the lead in the second period. At 12:30, Cifaldi found the back of the net for the second time of the night, with Gabriel Pankratz and Lucas Goodfellow earning the assists.
New Mexico’s Charles Velner was assessed a two-minute interference minor at 14:33. Neither team converted on its power-play opportunity during the game.
Odessa carried the 2-1 advantage into the second intermission despite New Mexico holding a 10-6 edge in shots during the period.
Third Period | Jackalopes Seal the Win
Odessa added some insurance in the final frame when Bjorn Bahneman scored his first goal of the season at 10:57, with Austin Lamer recording the assist. The goal extended the Jackalopes’ lead to 3-1, and that would stand as the final score.
The Jackalopes turned in their strongest defensive period of the night, limiting New Mexico to just three shots on goal while putting eight of their own on net.
Vatis closed the door the rest of the way, finishing his season debut with 27 saves on 28 shots and a .964 save percentage.
⭐ Stars of the Game
1st Star — #22 Jonathan Cifaldi, Odessa: 2 goals
2nd Star — #33 Benjamin Vatis, Odessa: 27 saves
3rd Star — #10 Max Stracar, New Mexico: 1 goal
FINAL: Odessa 3 | New Mexico 1