Jacks Lose, 6-4, to Rapid City
February 14, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release
(Rapid City, SD) - For the second straight night the Rapid City Rush benefited from third period dramatics as Brendan Cook's goal with one minute left in the game was the difference in a 6-4 win over the Odessa Jackalopes on Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd at the Rushmore Civic Center.
Cook's goal was the end of a counter-attack rush by Rapid City as he tapped home a rebound in front of the net. The goal broke a 4-4 tie after Odessa's Dominic Leveille knotted the game with a deflection effort at 10:31 of the third frame.
The Jackalopes took control of the game in period one with three unanswered goals after Rapid City's Brendon Hodge made it a 1-0 score 1:42 into the game. Collin Circelli tallied a goal 3:07, Kenny Bernard's centering pass went in off a Rush skate at 16:10, and Sebastien Thinel then forced a turnover in the right-wing corner before scoring at 18:32. Odessa led 3-1 after the first.
For the second straight game, the Jackalopes were handcuffed by a controversial goal call, this time in the second period. Derek LeBlanc was credited with a power play goal at 16:44 on a crowd in front of the net. Odessa goaltender, Juha Toivonen, appeared to have the puck covered up in the scrum as he was sprawled across the goal line on his back. The goal was awarded, but when Toivonen got up after the play, the puck had not crossed the line. LeBlanc's goal made the score 4-3 favoring Rapid City entering the third period.
The second period, in total, belonged to the Rush as they recorded three unanswered goals to take the lead. Rich Hansen on the power play, Scott Wray, and LeBlanc were goal-scorers for the home team.
Blaine Jarvis added an empty net goal for Rapid City in the game's final seconds to finalize the score at 6-4.
Juha Toivonen stopped 29 shots in his first regulation loss since December 5th. Danny Battochio earned the win making 35 saves.
The loss marks the first time all season that Odessa has lost consecutive games in regulation. Sebastien Thinel recorded a pair of points in the game to extend his point streak to eight games, tying the team-high this season.
The Jackalopes continue their road trip in Arizona when the meet the Sundogs on Tuesday night at 8:05 PM Central time. The action can be heard on 102.1 Jack 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 in the middle of their 13th season in the Permian Basin. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-PUCK or visiting jackalopes.org.
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