The Odessa Jackalopes traveled to North Richland Hills to take on the Lone Star Brahmas, following two impressive wins against the Shreveport MudBugs.
The 1st period was a very fast paced period and a good period overall for the Jacks. The Jacks were able to get multiple opportunities. One came early in the 1st period, when Matt Ivanov had a mini break toward the net, a beautiful deke to his forehand, but he was stoned by Brahmas goaltender Deivs Rolovs. Rolovs just came back from playing in the World Junior Classic for his home country of Latvia. Midway through the 1st period, the Jacks would go on the Kenner Printing penalty kill and successfully kill off the penalty. Goalie Quentin Sigurdson made multiple big saves throughout that kill to keep the game scoreless. Just a minute after killing the penalty the Jacks would go to the Jersey Mike’s power play. The Jacks were unable to set up in the zone for most of that power play and didn’t get many chances toward the net. The Jacks would once again get a power play inside the last three minutes of the period, where they would get a couple shots toward the net, but no goals would come of it. The dagger for the Jacks in that period would come with 5 seconds left, when the Brahmas would strike first and take the 1-0 lead into the 1st intermission. Shots on goal following the 1st period totaled 15-13 in favor of the Jackalopes.
The 2nd period began with the Jacks getting a power play within the first five minutes of the period, however, the Brahmas would possess the puck for most of the power play. The Brahmas would have two shorthanded breakaways, but the superb goaltending from Sigurdson, shut the door, keeping the game at a 1-0 score in favor of Lone Star. The Jacks would be whistled for a too many men penalty just a couple minutes later and despite great puck movement from the Brahmas, the Jacks were able to successfully kill the penalty off by keeping their skates moving and not allowing many shooting lanes for the Brahmas. The offensive pressure would get to the Jacks with about 7:30 remaining in the 2nd, on the 2nd chance opportunity the Brahmas settled down the rebound and fired it into the open net to extend the lead to 2-0. At that point in the period, the Brahmas were outshooting the Jacks 10-1. The Jacks would get a late power play in the 2nd period with a minute and a half to go, which they would take about 30 seconds into the 3rd period. Shots on goal for the 2nd period favored Lone Star 14-2.
The 3rd period was a much better start for the Jacks as they had a couple of shots on net early. However, the Jacks would go to the box about five minutes into the period, giving the Brahmas an opportunity on the power play. It was a very strong kill for the Jacks as they stayed tight in their square formation on the penalty kill and cleared any 2nd chance opportunities out of the zone. The Jacks would continue to get more pucks to the net throughout the 3rd period, but it would be the Brahmas striking with 8:00 to go in the 3rd to put Lone Star up 3-0. From there, things started to unravel for the Jacks. Just 43 seconds later the Brahmas would tack another one on to make it 4-0. Following that, it was game management for the Brahmas as they shut the Jacks down the rest of the way. The Brahmas would score once again with a minute and a half remaining. Final score being 5-0 in favor of the Brahmas. Shots on goal ended 36-26 in favor Lone Star.
The Jacks fall to 15-16-4 on the season. The next Jacks game is Friday, January 19th, @ Oklahoma. Puck drop is set for 7:15 P.M. CDT.
Reminder Jacks fans single game tickets are on sale and season ticket packages are still available. You can find them online or call 432-552-7825 and Tania can help you out. Come be a part of the Jacks family as we celebrate 27 continuous years of hockey in Odessa!