The Odessa Jackalopes looked to get back in the win column as they began their final home weekend of the regular season on Friday night, against the Lone Star Brahmas..
The 1st period began in front of a 1,700+ Jackalopes crowd and it wasn’t the start that the fans, nor the coaching staff was hoping for. While the Jackalopes were on the power play, the Brahmas capitalized off of a turnover and sped the other way. Brock James fired the puck home on the breakaway to give the Brahmas the 1-0 lead on a shorthanded goal. Around the midway point of the 1st period, it was the Brahmas on the power play as they struck the back of the net once again to extend their lead to 2-0. They would take that lead headed into the 1st intermission, with shots on goal reading 7-7.
The message in the locker room during the intermission must’ve worked as the Jacks moved into the offensive zone on a 2 on 1, Cam Dunn received a beautiful feed from James Richman and made no mistake putting the puck high glove, into the back of the net to bring the Jackalopes within one. That was Dunn’s team-leading 21st goal of the year. The Jacks weren’t done there. On the power play, Cam Dunn slipped a shot-pass to the middle right onto the tape of Tommy Wright who deflected his 8th goal into the back of the net, tying the game at two. A quick response from the Brahmas, just 46 seconds later, saw them get the 3-2 lead back into their favor. However, the never stop fighting mentality from the Jackalopes paid off. Kowin Belsterling curled the puck around the defender, waited patiently for his shot, and fired the puck into the back of the net for his 11th goal of the season. The period would end tied at 3.
The 3rd period saw both teams have their chances, but nobody found the back of the net. The only power play of the period belonged to the Brahmas with 3:33 remaining in the 3rd. The shot blocking and goaltending from starting goaltender Max Bely came up big for the Jacks. During the overtime period the Jackalopes would have a 4 on 3 man advantage as the Brahmas were called for a penalty, but would be unable to convert despite some great opportunities. That brought us to a shootout.
The Brahmas were up first and missed it wide of the post. For the Jacks it was Marcus Fechko, he skated out wide, out-waited the goaltender, but Rolovs fought back across to make the pad save. In round two, the Brahmas would convert to take the lead, but so would the Jacks as Dunn sniped one into the back of the net. The Brahmas failed to convert in the 3rd round on a nice save from Bely, and the Jacks had the opportunity to win it. Unfortunately, John Wojciechowski was unable to find the back of the net, sending us to extras. The Brahmas would score on the ensuing shot, and Michael Kadlecik was unable to find the back of the net on his slow, but methodical approach toward the net. The Brahmas skated away victorious and with the two points.
Following the game, here’s what Head Coach, Scott Deur, had to say about his team’s performance. “We needed to be a little tighter in the 1st period. Giving up a power play goal and a goal while we were on the power play as well, you can’t usually have that. When that happens, usually, you don’t win too many hockey games. For us to come back from that, it’s good to see that these guys are still fighting in the locker room and it makes it fun to coach.”
The Jacks fall to 21-28-8 on the season with their next game being, tomorrow, against the Lone Star Brahmas @ 7:15 P.M.
All games can be streamed on the league’s streaming service, NAHLTV, with the voice of the Jackalopes, Brandon Luisi. There will be a free audio only version available on the Odessa Jackalopes YouTube page.