The Odessa Jackalopes (3-6-1) took on the Amarillo Wranglers (4-4-0) on Friday evening as they looked to snap a two-game losing streak.
The 1st period was a back and forth battle as both teams had their share of opportunities. Just a couple of minutes into the contest, defenseman Trevor Mitchell fired one from the near point and rang the crossbar. Odessa would go on two power plays that period, but come up unsuccessful. Neither team would light the lamp and the game would be in a 0-0 deadlock after 20 minutes of play. Shots on goal were 15-14 in favor of the Jacks.
The 2nd period was a back and forth feisty battle as things began to get chippy after the whistles. Odessa would get a power play just past the five minute mark of the period, however, that would be cut short by a Jacks penalty, resulting in an abbreviated and unsuccessful Amarillo power play. At the midway point of the period forward Nicholas Puricelli would toe drag around a defender and fire one toward the net, the Wranglers goaltender thought he had it covered, but Matvey Ivanov swooped in, pounced on the rebound, and muscled it over the goal line to break the tie. That goal was Ivanov’s 2nd assists to Puricelli (2) and Zach Benayon (4). This would give the Jacks a 1-0 lead into the 2nd intermission. Shots on goal that period were 13-10 in favor of Amarillo.
The 3rd period was penalty trouble for the Jacks. They would receive a power play just a minute into the 3rd, but just 40 seconds into the power play the Jacks would commit the first of four penalties in a span of 6:55. Amarillo would be on an abbreviated 5 on 3 power play, in which they converted tying the game at one with 15:32 remaining in the 3rd. The Jacks would stand tall and kill off the rest of the penalties. They would be awarded one other power play at the midway point of the 3rd period, but come up scoreless. Neither team lit the lamp after and the game would head into overtime.
All it took was one rush from the Jacks as Michael Kadlecik rushed inside the near faceoff circle, got inside position and sniped one home on the Wranglers goaltender, sealing the extra point for the Jacks. This was Kadlecik’s 3rd of the season, lone assist going to Mitchell (3).
Quentin Sigurdson would pick up the win in another impressive outing for the Odessa netminder. He had 32 saves on 33 Amarillo shots. He improves to 4-4-0 on the season.
The Jacks improved to 4-6-1 on the season, while the Wranglers fell to 4-4-1. The next Jacks game is Saturday, October 14th, at 7:15 P.M. CDT against these same Amarillo Wranglers. These games will be available on NAHLTV (Amarillo feed only).
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! Opening weekend is October 27th and 28th as the Odessa Jackalopes take on the El Paso Rhinos.