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Odessa Jackalopes

Power Shortage Lights up Jackalopes

March 23, 2017 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release


Odessa, TX - A very windy day in Odessa saw power outages for about 200 households throughout the day in West Texas. The Jackalopes and the Ector County Coliseum were hoping to avoid these unfavorable winds and win their third-straight game for the first time this season.

The first period blew in favor of the Amarillo Bulls as George Mika scored his league-leading 63rd point on an early goal. Mika gobbled up a rebound and flipped one past Jonny Hogue for the 1-0 lead. Steven Ipri would add one of his own later as he split two defenders and tossed one past Hogue for the 2-goal lead.

With 54 seconds remaining in the first period, the power outage hit the Jacks Shack as all lighting was lost at the Ector County Coliseum. There are been multiple times in sports history where odd stops in play have worked in favor of the team who was down at the time. As we've seen happen in situations like the 2013 Super Bowl (the Blackout Bowl), and even this past season's World Series rain delay, the oddest of delays can turn the tides.

The teams took a 20 minute intermission and when they returned, they would finish their 54 seconds of the first period with no scoring. After a quick, two minute break, the teams would take the ice again for the 2nd period. As previously mentioned, the power would switch to the Jackalopes.

Noah Poindexter two a penalty for high sticking, putting the Jacks shorthanded, but that didn't stop the Jackalopes penalty kill as they raced for a two-on-one breakaway to tie it up. Zach Zech flew up the up with before centering a pass to Zach Heintz who redirected one through the five-hole of Brandon Bussi to pull within one.

31 seconds later, it would be the 2nd units turn as Ludwig Stenlund and Chase Thudium had a breakaway. Thudium's shot was saved by Bussi, but the rebound found Cooper Zech who gloved it onto the ice perfectly, and backhanded one in for the tie game.

Jackalopes would return to full strength and wouldn't slow down. Four and a half minutes later, the Jacks' Nick Wilson fired one on net, but the rebound found the stick of Tyler Pietrowski who fired one past Bussi for the eventual, game-winning goal. Chase Thudium would cap off the period by getting into a tussle with Amarillo's Alex Truscott, before both would be escorted off the ice for the remainder of the period.

Jackalopes turned the tempo up a notch as they scored two more in the 3rd period. It started as Zach Zech forced a turnover and had another breakaway with his line. This time, Zech held onto the pick and shot one off through the wickets of Bussi for the 4-2 lead.

Odessa would head to their first power play of the night with just under 8 minutes left in regulation. After Stenlund missed the net initially, he had a chance to redeem himself seconds later and snapped off a Stenlund Slapper to the back of the net for the Jackalopes 5th unanswered goal of the night.

The Jacks defense would shut Amarillo down with the help of Jonny Hogue who saved 33 of 35 shots en route to his 15th victory on the season.

The Jackalopes will return to action tomorrow night as they travel to Amarillo for a two-game set against the Bulls.

The 2017-2018 Odessa Jackalopes season tickets are on sale now! To reserve your seats, contact the Jackalopes' ticket office today at 432-552-7825 or log on to www.jackalopes.org for more information.

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North American Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2017


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