Jacks Clinch Playoff Spot with 6-2 Win Over Bees
March 18, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL) - Odessa Jackalopes News Release
ODESSA, TX - Sebastien Thinel and Mark Ehl each had a pair of goals for the Odessa Jackalopes in their 6-2 win over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees on Friday night at the Ector County Coliseum. With the win the Jackalopes (28-27-7) clinched a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive season, and maintained their hold on fifth place in the Central Hockey League's Berry Conference.
Thinel's two goals were part of a four-point night, extending his league-leading total to 106 on the season and giving him a 17-game point streak.
Mike Mole carried a shutout into the third period for the second straight game, and finished with 31 saves on the night to improve to 5-1-0 on the year. The Jacks also sweep their home-and-home series with Rio Grande Valley (24-32-6).
Ehl opened up the game's scoring from the left side of the goal crease 7:28 into the contest, and Thinel made it a 2-0 lead for Odessa three minutes later.
Ehl made it a 3-0 lead with the second period's only goal at 6:22. Mike Lesperance and Jeff Pierce added the assists. For Lesperance it was the 100th point of his career.
Thinel then added his second of the game 2:35 into the third period on a shorthanded, 2-on-1 rush with Matt Gens. Mike Ramsay and Luke Stauffacher also scored for the Jackalopes to make it a 6-0 game. Zak McClellan and Brett Wilson each scored late for the Bees only goals in the game.
Juliano Pagliero made 21 saves in the loss for the Bees.
Todd Robinson's point streak came to a close at 12 games. The win extended Odessa's unbeaten streak to three games (2-0-1).
The Jacks have guaranteed a place in the CHL's postseason, but their seed still needs to be determined. Odessa is currently two points ahead of Mississippi in fifth place, and seven points back of the Tulsa Oilers.
The Jackalopes close out their three-game weekend on Saturday when they host the Tulsa Oilers at 7:05 PM CST. The action can be heard on Classic Rock 102.1 FM.
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 the middle of its 14th season. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-7825 or visiting jackalopes.org.
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