The Odessa Jackalopes took the ice against the Colorado Grit at the Ector County Coliseum, Friday night, for the beginning of Military Appreciation Weekend. The crowd came out and showed their support for the Jacks as 2,030 was the recorded attendance.
The first period was not the ideal start that the Jacks were looking for as they committed four penalties in the opening frame. The penalty kill stayed strong along with great goaltending from Jacks netminder Quentin Sigurdson did not allow a single goal on the penalty kill. However, with a minute left in the period a stretch pass connected from the D zone to the Odessa blue-line, sending the Grit on a breakaway and Carter made no mistake going 5-hole on Quentin Sigurdson giving the Grit the 1-0 lead into the 1st intermission. The Grit led the SOG category 12-6 after 20 minutes of play.
The 2nd period was a complete turnaround. The Jacks outshot the Grit 16-3 in the 2nd frame, but were unable to find the back of the net. Jack Erickson for the Grit made 6 different post-to-post saves that period and kept the Grit lead through two periods.
The 3rd period was much of the same as the Jacks would outshoot the Grit 19-6 for a game total of 41-24 in favor of Odessa. The Jacks would do a great job of getting bodies in front of the net to take the vision away from the Grit goalie, however, he was able to locate the puck every time and help the Grit gain the two points. Erickson would notch the 41 save shutout.
Following the game, Jacks Head Coach Scott Deur was pleased with the bounce-back effort in the final two periods, but put an emphasis on the need to find the back of the net “They responded well. It was good to see the response, at the end of the day, though, if you can’t score a goal, you’re not going to win too many hockey games”
The Jacks fall to 6-9-2 on the season, while the Grit improve to 6-9-3 on their campaign. The next game is Saturday, November 11th, at 7:15 P.M. These games will be streamed on NAHLTV with an audio only version on YouTube.
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!