Jacks Offense, Toivonen Roll in 9-2 Win
Published on October 24, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release
(Rio Rancho, NM) - The Jackalopes offense tallied four goals in the first 6:30 of their Friday night game against the New Mexico Scorpions. After winning their first two games on the road the Odessa Jackalopes traveled to the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, NM looking to make it three in a row to start the season. The offense came through big as the Jacks won 9-2.
The first period belonged to the Jackalopes, who scored four goals in the first 6:30 of period one. Dominic Leveille put Odessa on board with his first goal of the season. Kory Karlander added the assist on the goal which came 3:33 into the period. At 5:45 Russ Moyer made it a 2-0 Odessa lead after receiving a pass out of the corner from Sebastien Thinel. It was Moyer's first of the season. Eleven seconds later Brian Swiniarski drove the net and slipped one past New Mexico goalie, Jason Wolfe to give the Jacks a 3-0 lead. The goal was unassisted and was Swiniarski's first of the season. Finally Dave Van Drunen would make it a 4-0 lead for Odessa as he added an unassisted goal for his first of the season at 6:27. Wolfe was pulled for the Scorpions and replaced by Andrew Martin, who stopped five shots in the remainder of the period.
More offense continued for both teams in the second period as Corey Courchene got New Mexico on the board with his second goal of the season at 7:45. Chris Robertson and Aaron McInnis had the assists on the power play goal. Odessa answered back at 12:19 with a power play goal of their own by Collin Circelli. Jeff Pierce and Russ Moyer were the helpers on Circelli's third of the year. New Mexico closed the gap back to three when Sam Bowles deflected a Russell Smith shot to beat Jacks' goalie, Juha Toivonen. Jamie Herrington had the second assist on Bowles second of the year at 15:39. Mike Lesperance made it a 6-2 Jacks lead with his first goal of the season, and his career, on a shot from the point. Then Mike Ramsay would add another power play goal for Odessa on assists from Pierce and Lesperance at 17:20 to give the Jackalopes a 7-2 lead heading into the break.
The Jackalopes would add two more goals in the third period to set a new season high of nine goals in a single game. Lesperance from Thinel and Leveille at 13:18 made it an 8-2 lead. Leveille from Thinel and Pierce at 19:07 made the final score 9-2. Both were power play goals.
The three stars of the game were 1. Mike Lesperance 2. Mike Ramsay and 3. Juha Toivonen. Toivonen finished with 42 saves in the game.
The Jacks head to North Richland Hills, TX to take on the Texas Brahmas tomorrow night. The game can be heard live on 97 Gold and seen online on the CHL Network. The puck drops at 7:05 PM.
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 will begin its 12th season on October 17th against the defending champion Arizona Sundogs. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-PUCK or visiting jackalopes.org.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2008
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- Jacks Offense, Toivonen Roll in 9-2 Win - Odessa Jackalopes
- Sundogs Fall 7-5 to Colorado in Rematch of 2008 President's Cup Finals - Arizona Sundogs
- Wichita Powers Past Rage for Bilodeau's First Win - Wichita Thunder
- Gorillas edged by Brahmas in close affair - Amarillo Gorillas
- Bucks Blitzed In Rio, 5-2 - Laredo Bucks
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