The Odessa Jackalopes started their 2024 campaign Friday night against the Shreveport MudBugs in Louisiana.
The 1st period saw a quick start for the Jacks, a centering pass came into the blue paint from Kowin Belsterling off of a defensive zone turnover by the MudBugs, and Charlie Smith was Johnny on the spot to deposit the puck into the back of the net. This made it 1-0 Jacks just two and a half minutes into the 1st period. Shreveport had a good response following the Jacks goal as midway through the 1st the Bugs controlled the SOG category 9-4. Then in the late stages of the 1st period, John Wojciechowski toe dragged to the backhand and put one home to extend the lead to 2-0. The Bugs would receive a power play in the last minute and a half of the 1st period and score on it bringing the Jacks lead down to 2-1. The Jacks would take that lead into the 1st intermission, with SOG being 14-9 in favor of Shreveport.
The first five minutes of the 2nd period were all Shreveport as they possessed the puck in the offensive zone for a good portion of it. The Bugs also took the first four shots on net of the period. It wasn’t until around the seven minute mark where the Jacks would get their first shot on goal and they would make it count. Hunter Whisenand skated into the zone with speed, moved the puck to his backhand and went top cheese on the Bugs goaltender, making it 3-1 Jacks. Later in the period, the MudBugs would once again turn the puck over in the defensive zone, Teddy Manlove would center one for Hayden DeMars who put the puck in the back of the net to extend his lead in goals for the Jacks, as that was his 11th of the year. That made it 4-1 in favor of the Jacks with about five minutes remaining in the 2nd period. They would take that lead into the 2nd intermission
The 3rd period started off with a lot of back and forth action. Quick transitions through the neutral zone saw opportunities on both sides, but it was the Bugs who found the back of the net with about 4:30 to go in the 3rd period to make it a 4-2 contest. The Jacks would be tagged for a cross checking call with two minutes to go, and that would trigger the Bugs to pull their goalie. They would start the faceoff with a 6 on 4 advantage and with 1:04 remaining, they would pull within one to make it 4-3. However, it was the Jacks holding on for the victory by a final score of 4-3. Final shots on goal were in favor of the MudBugs 29-25
The Jacks improve to 14-15-4 on the season. The next Jacks game is Saturday, January 13th, @ Shreveport. Puck drop is set for 7:11 P.M. CDT. There is no Jacks broadcast for any of the three games this weekend, unfortunately, however, the home side will provide a broadcast for all games on NAHLTV.
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!