The Odessa Jackalopes, this weekend, take on the 2nd place Shreveport MudBugs. To date, the Jackalopes are 3-1-2 against Shreveport on the season, one of two teams the Jackalopes have a winning record against this season (Amarillo).
Last weekend started out well for Odessa as they took down a tough opponent in the New Mexico Ice Wolves, 5-3 on Thursday. In that game, forward Kowin Belsterling notched 3 points on the night (2G, 1A), while a three-goal 2nd period for the Jacks fueled them to victory. Friday night it appeared the Jacks continued their momentum into that contest, as after the 1st period, the Jacks led 2-0. Corpus Christi would strike back in the 2nd period with two goals in 14 seconds, but it was the Jacks who held the 3-2 lead going into the final frame, courtesy of Nick Metelkin. The IceRays would go on to score two goals in the last 2:08 of the game, including the game winner with 18 seconds remaining to defeat the Jacks 4-3. Saturday night, the IceRays came out with intensity and quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead. However, a power play tally for the Jackalopes, brought them within one toward the end of the 1st. The IceRays would extend their lead with the only goal in the 2nd period and take a 3-1 lead into the 3rd period. It was the Jacks striking first in the 3rd as Christian Tavare forced a turnover in the Corpus Christi zone, and had a nice give-and-go with Teddy Manlove as Tavare ended up putting it into the back of the net. The IceRays would score on a rush with about 4 and a half minutes remaining and then strike with the empty-net to make it 5-2 IceRays. The Jacks would strike in the last second and a half, on the power play, to make the final a 5-3 score.
Special teams for the Jacks this weekend was a massive bright spot. The power play went 3/7 on the weekend while the penalty kill went 5/5. The Jackalopes have now scored at least 1 power play goal in 6 of their last 7 contests.
Taking a look at the Jackalopes’ opponent this weekend, the Shreveport MudBugs. They have already clinched a playoff spot as they are in 2nd place in the South Division. The MudBugs split last weekend with the team in front of the Jackalopes in the standings, the Oklahoma Warriors. The MudBugs are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and can inch their way closer to a first-round bye this weekend against the Jackalopes.
This is panning out to be an exciting weekend of hockey as the Jackalopes are still fighting for the final playoff spot in the South Division.
The schedule for this weekend’s game is as follows:
Friday, March 22nd, vs. Shreveport @ 7:15 P.M.
Saturday, March 23rd, vs. Shreveport @ 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.