The Odessa Jackalopes ended their four-game losing streak last night with a tight 4-3 victory over the MudBugs. They once again took the ice against Shreveport Saturday evening.
The 1st period saw a couple of penalties early. The Jacks would get the first crack at the power play, but it would only last about 30 seconds as the Jacks would commit a penalty themselves. Both the Jacks and the Bugs were unsuccessful on their first power play attempts that period, however, during the 4 on 4 while there was more open ice, the Jacks were able to use their speed and get some opportunities toward the net. However, neither team was able to find the back of the net. Shots on goal after 20 minutes were 13-10 in favor of Shreveport.
The 2nd period, the Jacks were able to find the ice breaker as James Richman pulled a move to the backhand in front of the net and muscled the puck home into the back of the net right before the net dislodged to give the Jacks the 1-0 lead, just two and a half minutes into the 2nd period. He wasn’t done there as Richman, would once again find the back of the net, just five minutes later. He skated into the zone and into the near side faceoff circle where he wristed one past goaltender Nikola Goich. That made it 2-0 Jacks with 11 minutes remaining in the 2nd period. Just two minutes later during 4 on 4 action, Shreveport would win an offensive zone faceoff and keep the puck in the zone before beating Jacks goalie Quentin Sigurdson to draw within one. The Jacks would answer back on the power play just two minutes later, who else, but James Richman as he rifled one home past Goich, and Goich’s night would be done after that shot. For the Jacks, that would be the 1st hat trick of the season by any Jackalope. All it took was 19 seconds, before the Bugs would answer with one of their one to draw back within one, making it a 3-2 game with 7:30 to go in the 2nd. To continue the back and forth 2nd period, just two minutes later, a one-timer from Michael Kadlecik popped the water bottle off the net to make it a 4-2 lead for the Jacks. That was the 2nd power play goal of the night for the Jacks. Toward the end of the 2nd period, a Jackalope got boarded from behind and Tommy Wright, dropped the gloves with Liam Fleet, but due to the original penalty, the Jacks would go on a 5 on 3 power play. They wouldn’t be successful until it went to 5 on 4, when Kadlecik would put home his 2nd power play goal of the night. The 7 goal 2nd period would end 5-2 in favor of the Jacks.
The 3rd period didn’t see any scoring, however, it was extremely feisty, as tempers would boil over and a two minute roughing and a ten minute misconduct was issued to Shreveport toward the beginning of the 3rd. The Jacks would hold on and have a very good defensive 3rd period to get the two points. It was yet another stellar performance from Quentin Sigurdson as he stopped 32 of the 34 shots that came his way. He made some ten-bell saves in the 3rd, one on a cross-crease feed late in the 3rd.
The Jacks improve to 15-15-4 on the season. The next Jacks game is Monday, January 15th, @ Lone Star. Puck drop is set for 1:00 P.M. CDT. There will be no Jackalopes broadcast for that game, however, the home team will provide a broadcast of the game.
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!