Jacks Lost in a Thriller, 4-3

November 21, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release


(McAllen, TX) - Grant Goeckner-Zeller's shootout winner in round five capped off another classic between the Odessa Jackalopes and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees at Dodge Arena on Saturday night as the Jackalopes lost 4-3. The Jackalopes extended their power play goal streak to 14 games.

Goeckner-Zeller's goal was the only one scored in the shootout. Odessa's Collin Circelli tied the game at 11:30 of the third period to force overtime with his eleventh of the year.

Odessa opened the scoring in the first period on Alex Dunn's power play goal at 6:16. Dominic Leveille and Kenny Bernard added the assists. Jeff Pierce made it a 2-0 lead for Odessa redirecting Collin Circelli's centering pass in the net for his eighth of the year. The Bees found the scoresheet at 16:55 when Aaron Lee banged home a loose puck in the goal crease to make it a 2-1 score, favoring Odessa, at the end of the first.

Rio Grande Valley took the lead in the second period with a pair of goals. Jesse Bennefied tied the game with a power play goal at 1:34. Bennefield drove the net from the corner and scored on his own rebound. The Bees then took the 3-2 lead on a goal from Grant Goeckner-Zeller at 9:27.

Both goalies in the game, Juha Toivonen and Andy Franck, stopped 37 of 40 shots. Odessa's record falls to 12-2-2 this season.

Odessa wraps up their road trip on Wednesday against the Texas Brahmas. Game time is 7:05 PM and 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.

Follow the Jackalopes all year long on Facebook and Twitter -- Twitter.com/ODEJackalopes.



Central Hockey League Stories from November 21, 2009


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