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NAHL Odessa Jackalopes

Jacks Pack the Shack on Opening Night, Fall 5-2

October 26, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release


ODESSA, TX - In their first home game of the 2012-13 season, the Odessa Jackalopes surrendered a pair of late goals and fell to the Topeka RoadRunners by a final score of 5-2 Friday at Ector County Coliseum in Odessa. With the loss, the Jacks fifth in a row, Odessa fell to 3-8-1 overall this season and with seven points, remain alone in 6th place in the NAHL's South Division standings.

In front of nearly 2,300 Jacks fans, Tyler Cayemberg got the scoring started quickly for Odessa, nudging home his fourth goal of the season on feeds from Johan Sjoden and Taylor Portner at 5:23 of the first. The ever-aggressive RoadRunners quickly equalized however, as Michal Pastor and former Jackalope Tyler Poulsen connected on back-to-back power play goals late in the first and early in the second period to push the Runners into the lead for the first time.

Things looked grim for the Jackalopes midway through the third period as Tyler Groat stuffed home a rebound chance at 8:58, but Curt Rau responded for Odessa five minutes later to draw Odessa within a goal at 3-2 WITH Portner earning his second assist of the night on the play. Despite numerous Odessa chances late in regulation, including a last-minute penalty shot for Cayemberg that was denied by Topeka netminder Spencer Viele, the Runners persevered, tacking on late insurance markers from Tyler Andrew and Groat at 17:29 and 17:37 respectively, to salt away the victory and vault Topeka into first place in the South Division.

In his third start in net for Odessa, Andrew Pikul turned in a memorable performance, stopping 42 of the 45 shots to fall to 0-3-0 on the season and 0-2-0 head-to-head against the RoadRunners.

Next up for the Jacks, it's a rematch with Topeka Saturday at Ector County Coliseum with the opening faceoff set for 7:05 pm. The first 1,000 fans through the gates on Saturday will receive a full set of Jackalopes trading cards.

In 2012-13, the Odessa Jackalopes drop the puck on their second season as a member of the North American Hockey League. Season ticket packages for the Jacks' sophomore campaign are available now starting at just $179. To reserve your seats, contact the Jackalopes' ticket office today at 432-552-7825 or log on to www.jackalopes.org for more information.

Be sure to follow the Jackalopes on Twitter @LetsGoJacks all season long and don't forget to 'Like' the official "Odessa Jackalopes" fan page on Facebook.

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