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NAHL Odessa Jackalopes

First half complete as \'Lopes suffer season's worst loss

December 30, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release


ODESSA, TX - In their first game following an extended Holiday break, the Odessa Jackalopes came out flat on Friday night, falling to the Texas Tornado in the first of three consecutive games between the two teams by a score of 9-1 at Ector County Coliseum. With the loss, the Jacks fell to 10-16-4 on the season and with 24 points, remain alone in 5th place in the NAHL's South Division standings.

After conceding a pair of early goals to the Tornado, the Jacks, playing with only seventeen healthy skaters, fought back with a power-play goal from Ryan Atkinson, his fifth goal of the season and eleventh point, assisted by Zach Mertes and Alex Ostrowski to draw within one midway through the first period. The Texas offense proved insatiable however, as the Tornado rattled of seven unanswered goals the rest of the way, delivering the Jackalopes their most lopsided defeat of the season. Five Texas players had at least three points in the game and CJ Reuschlein and Jack Prince each scored a pair of goals for the Tornado.

Jackalopes netminder Connor Hellebuyck was replaced by Justin Davis midway through the second period after surrendering five goals for the second consecutive game. Next up for the Jacks, it's a New Year's Eve rematch with Texas, Saturday night at 7:05 pm at Ector County Coliseum. For the Jackalopes, Saturday's game will be the team's final home contest until January 27th as the Jacks hit the road for three-plus weeks beginning January 6th in the third of three consecutive games against the Texas Tornado.

The Odessa Jackalopes celebrate their 15th Anniversary in 2011-12 and drop the puck on their inaugural campaign as a member of the North American Hockey League. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-7825 or by visiting the Jacks online at www.jackalopes.org.

Be sure to follow the Jackalopes on Twitter @LetsGoJacks all season long and don't forget to ‘Like' the official "Odessa Jackalopes" fan page on Facebook.

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North American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2011


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