NAHL Odessa Jackalopes

Cornellier Scores Lone Odessa Goal In Lopsided Defeat

Published on December 21, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release


ODESSA, TX - In the first meeting between the two teams this season, the Odessa Jackalopes faltered in the third period Friday, dropping what was once a close game, 8-1 to the Corpus Christi IceRays at Ector County Coliseum. With the loss, the Jacks fell to 5-22-2 overall this season and with 12 points, remain alone in sixth place in the NAHL's South Division standings.

Corpus lit the fuse quickly on Friday, taking a 1-0 lead on Brandon Berkley's third goal of the season, from Rudy Sulmonte and Ryan Chiasson, just three minutes into the game. After the remainder of the period ticked by scoreless, the IceRays doubled their lead with just over four seconds remaining in the opening period when Sulmonte coaxed a rebound chance off a Wayland Williams shot past Odessa goaltender Nick Deery.

The second period began, much like the first, with an IceRays goal, as veteran winger Eric Purcell squeezed an in-close wrister past Deery at 3:46 before Odessa leading scorer Lawrence Cornellier scored the Jacks' only goal, a breakaway tally assisted by Matt Montemurro, at 9:52 of the middle frame. Then, at 16:56 of the second, gritty Corpus winger Mike Economos took advantage of a misplayed puck from Deery and wrapped a loose puck around the right post to send the 'Rays into the break with their lead restored to three at 4-1.

After a promising start to the final stanza, the Jackalopes collapsed down the stretch, allowing four Corpus Christi goals, to Perry D'Arrisso, Economos, Sulmonte and Brandon Smith respectively, in the final eight minutes of the game to establish the IceRays' final margin of victory at 8-1.

Fresh off a rock-solid performance in his Odessa debut last Saturday, Deery struggled on Friday and was pulled after the second period after allowing four goals on 36 Corpus Christi shots. On in relief in the third, Phil Heinle fared no better, as the York, Pennsylvania native stopped just four of the eight IceRays shots that came his way.

Next up for the Jacks, it's a rematch with the fourth-place 'Rays on Saturday with the opening faceoff set for 7:05 pm at Ector County Coliseum.

In 2012-13, the Odessa Jackalopes drop the puck on their second season as a member of the North American Hockey League. Season ticket packages for the Jacks' sophomore campaign are available now starting at just $179. 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 December 21, 2012


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