NAHL Odessa Jackalopes

Ex-Brahmas Carreras, Rivers lead Jacks to 3-2 win

Published on January 1, 2016 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release


Odessa, Texas - The Odessa Jackalopes (11-12-4) entered Friday's game losers of nine straight, but Former Lone Star Brahmas' (19-7-5) Gunner Rivers and Eric Carreras powered their new club to the first win of 2016, 3-2, at Ector County Coliseum Friday night. Rivers made 25 saves on 27 shots to earn his first win since November 14 and his first win against his former club.

In the opening period, Eric Carreras (12) collected a perfect feed from Brandon Tucker in the high slot and ripped it past an unsuspecting Connor O'Brien at 4:08. The Brahmas found themselves on the man advantage three times in the first, but it was at even strength that they were able to tie the game 1-1 after Cody Wickline (6) redirected a Dalton Skelly shot past Gunner Rivers at 11:36.

After Odessa had failed to score on its 43-second power play to begin the second, Lone Star went on two more power plays including a five-minute man advantage after Daniel Kiraly received a game misconduct for the a hit to the head on Hogan Davidson. While on the penalty kill Zach Zech (10) snuck a short-side top-shelf snapshot over the shoulder of O'Brien to give the Jacks a 2-1 lead on the teams eighth shorthanded goal of the year. Odessa later went on a four-minute power play at 5:30 when Johan Lundgren high sticked Pierce Pluemer, but Odessa couldn't capitalize against the Brahamas number one penalty kill unit in the NAHL.

In the third, Derek Brown fluttered a two-on-one pass to Matthew Rypien (2) who perfectly played it around a sprawled out O'Brien and dumped it in the open net. Peter Kessel made it close with a high slot snipe at 17:04 but the Jacks held off the Brahmas in the final minutes to earn the 3-2 win.

Connor O'Brien (7-1-4) suffered his third straight loss and just his second regulation loss of the year, making 23 saves on 26 shots.

Neither team scored on the power play in the game with the Jacks going 0-for-4 and the Brahmas 0-for-7. Odessa was only outshot in the first period (8-10) and ended the game with 26 shots compared to Lone Star's 27.

In 2015-16, the Odessa Jackalopes will embark upon their fifth season in the North American Hockey League and 19 th in

the Permian Basin. 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.

Check out the Odessa Jackalopes Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Hockey League Stories from January 1, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central