The Odessa Jackalopes took on the Shreveport Mudbugs Friday Night at the JackShack in an attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Jackalopes got the party started on the power play as veteran defenseman John Wojciechowski skated a few feet in from the blue line and wristed one into the back of the net to make it a 1-0 lead in favor of the Jackalopes. With that power play goal, the Jacks have now scored a power play goal in 7 of their last 8 contests. The lead would be short lived, however, as the Mudbugs would convert on a net-front scramble to tie the game at 1, just over midway through the first. The 1st period was a good period for the Jacks as they outshot the Mudbugs 12-8, with the game being tied at 1.
The 2nd period was when Shreveport really turned on the heat. The Mudbugs struck just under five minutes into the middle frame, giving them their first lead of the contest. They weren’t done there as toward the midway point of the 2nd period, they got the insurance goal that they needed to make it a 3-1 lead. The Jackalopes didn’t generate many opportunities in the 2nd period, as most of the offensive rushes were one shot and done. Meanwhile, the Mudbugs were getting second, third, and even fourth chance opportunities. The period would end 3-1 in favor of Shreveport and shots on goal read 14-6 for the 2nd, 22-18 overall.
The 3rd period saw frustration and tempers boil over as James Richman and Bryce Boucher dropped the gloves just before the middle of the final period. However, the offense slowed down a good bit. The Jackalopes were whistled for a major penalty with 6:40 remaining. Being down two, the Jackalopes pulled their goalie with around two and a half minutes remaining and it paid off as a centering pass was sent to the blue paint, Lem Vardy tapped the puck home for his first career NAHL goal. The team mobbed him in the corner, and the bench was just as excited. Unfortunately for the Jacks, they wouldn’t be able to find the equalizer and the Bugs skated away with the 3-2 victory.
With that loss and Oklahoma gaining a point in the standings with their OTL, the Jackalopes have officially been eliminated from playoff contention.
Following the game Head Coach Scott Deur commented on Vardy’s 1st career goal. “He’s a leader in our locker room and finally after almost a full two seasons, he popped one, and everyone was excited for him”
The Jacks fall to 21-27-7 on the season, with their next game being tomorrow, against the Shreveport Mudbugs.
All games can be streamed on NAHLTV, the league’s streaming service with the voice of the Jacks, Brandon Luisi. A free audio only version will be available on the Odessa Jackalopes YouTube page.