The Jackalopes started their three-in-three to close out an eight-game homestand, this Thursday night .
The Jacks got out to a quick start as Nick Metelkin forced a turnover and skated in on a breakaway, he was unable to tuck the puck in the back of the net, but hot on the trail for the rebound was Hunter Whisenand, as he fired the puck in the back of the net to give the Jacks the 1-0 lead. The Ice Wolves would answer on the power play on a bouncing puck in the slot, it was located by forward Yusaku Ando and he fired one on his backhand into the back of the net tying the game at 1. With just a couple of minutes remaining the Ice Wolves would get a 2 on 1 rush up the ice and take the lead on a hard snap shot high glove. The Jacks pushed the pace following the Ice Wolves goal, and tied the game at two, as Kowin Belsterling pulled a toe drag around a defender and sniped the puck home. There would be a glass issue at the Coliseum, which resulted in the remaining 48 seconds to be played at the start of the 2nd period.
In that opening 48 seconds, all it took the Ice Wolves was 8 seconds as they scored on a defensive breakdown for the Jacks, and regained the lead at 3-2. The 2nd period would officially start and it was New Mexico drawing first blood in the 2nd. This would extend the Ice Wolves lead to 4-2 with 13:00 remaining in the 2nd period. The Jacks would press on and a rebound from a short angle shot came into the blue paint, Charlie Smith put it home and cut the deficit to one midway through the 2nd. The Ice Wolves would take the 4-3 lead going into the 3rd period of play, the Jacks led the shots on goal category 28-20.
The 3rd period, both teams came out sluggish, but the difference maker came as the Jacks committed a penalty within the first five minutes of the 3rd. New Mexico would once again strike and extend their lead to 5-3. New Mexico would finish 2-3 on the power play. The Jacks would heat up after pulling the goalie with 3:30 to go in the 3rd period of play and pull within one. Trevor Mitchell fired one from the point, out in front to redirect the puck was Teddy Manlove as he deposited his 7th of the season with 1:21 to go in the game. The Jacks once again pulled the goalie, but the push was too little too late as the Ice Wolves would hold the comeback off.
The Jacks fall to 16-21-6 on the year, with the next game being tomorrow, Friday, February 9th, vs New Mexico @ 7:15 P.M.
All Jacks games can be streamed on the North American Hockey League’s streaming service NAHLTV, with the voice of the Jacks, Brandon Luisi. A free audio only version will also be available on the Odessa Jackalopes YouTube page.