Jackalopes Weekly Update
Published on April 20, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release
(Odessa, TX) - The Odessa Jackalopes must win their next two games in order to keep the championship run alive as they trail the Texas Brahmas, 3-2, in the Conference Finals after losing game five in Texas over the weekend.
Last week's record: 1-2
This week's games: Thursday vs. Texas - Game Six, Saturday @ Texas - Game Seven (if necessary)
Game Three - Tuesday vs. Texas, 3-0 Loss
Texas Brahmas' goalie, Brett Jaeger, continued his terrific play against Odessa earning his first shutout of the post season. Jaeger stopped all 33 Odessa shots while Jason Deitch, Brandon Benedict, and Pete Rouleau each scored for the Brahmas to win game three.
Game Four - Thursday vs. Texas, 2-0 Win
48 hours after being shut out by Texas, the Jackalopes returned the favor thanks to Juha Toivonen's 18 saves to earn his first shutout of the postseason, 2-0. The game was scoreless after two periods before Paul Kelly put the Jacks up 2:06 into the third. With less than three minutes left in the third Toivonen made two game-saving plays by stopping Tyler Skworchinski on a breakaway and robbing Justin Kinnunen with a glove save on a two-on-on rush. Brian Swiniarski scored an empty net goal to seal the win and tie the series.
Game Five - Saturday @ Texas, 7-5 Loss
After nearly flawless goaltending highlighted the first four games of the series, 12 combined goals were scored in game five as Texas took a 3-2 series lead with a 7-5 win. Brahmas' forward, Scott Sheppard, tied a CHL record with four goals and six points in the win. It was the highest scoring game so far in the CHL playoffs.
Game Six - Thursday vs. Texas, 7:05 PM
Game Seven - Saturday @ Texas, 7:05 PM (if necessary)
The Jackalopes look to keep their playoff hopes alive with a game six win and force a deciding game seven on Saturday in Texas. Odessa split the first two games of this series on their home ice in games three and four. This postseason the Jackalopes are playing their best hockey in the third period and overtime, outscoring their opponents 16-9 in those parts of the game.
The Odessa Jackalopes are the Central Hockey League affiliate for the NHL's New York Islanders and the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The team is currently in its 12th season. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-PUCK or visiting jackalopes.org.
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- Jackalopes Weekly Update - Odessa Jackalopes
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