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NAHL Odessa Jackalopes

Jackalopes Open 2012-13 Season with Loss to Fairbanks

September 13, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release


BLAINE, MN - In the opening game of the 2012-13 NAHL season, the Jackalopes 16th in Odessa and second as a member of the North American Hockey League, the Odessa Jackalopes fell to the defending West Division champion Fairbanks Ice Dogs by a final score of 3-0 Wednesday at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota on day one of the 2012 NAHL Showcase Tournament. With the loss, the Jacks fell to 0-1-0 on the season and with 0 points, currently sit alone in sixth place in the NAHL's South Division.

Midway through a contentious first period, Fairbanks, the 2011 Robertson Cup Champions, took a 1-0 lead when sizable Ice Dogs winger Devin Loe, who was later ejected from the game for spearing, tipped home his first goal of the season, deflecting a Jordan Freberg wrister past Jackalopes goaltender Blake Wojtala at 16:12 of the opening frame.

After a scoreless second period, former New Mexico Mustang Jason Angus doubled the Dogs' lead at 2:08 of the third, when he finished off a tic-tac-toe passing play by Fairbanks forward Kyle Lee and defenseman Niklas Mayrhauser. After both teams traded numerous power-play chances that went unconverted, Ryan McNeely put the cherry on top for Fairbanks, potting an unassisted insurance marker, with the man advantage, at 10:55 of the final stanza.

Despite struggling on the power play, posting an 0/8 mark on the night, Odessa excelled on the penalty kill, successfully killing off seven of the eight man-down situations they encountered on Wednesday night. Making his first start and appearance with the Jackalopes, Trenton, Michigan native Blake Wojtala stole the show for Odessa, stopping 22 of the 25 shots he faced, turning in a number of critical, memorable saves in the process.

Next up for the Jacks, it's a Thursday afternoon showdown with the Coulee Region Chill on day two of the 2012 NAHL Showcase with the opening faceoff set for 4:30 pm at Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota. The Jackalopes defeated Coulee Region 2-1 last week in the first of Odessa's two preseason games at St. Mary's University Ice Arena in Winona, Minnesota.

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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