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NAHL Odessa Jackalopes

Jacks Power Past IceRays 4-1

February 25, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release


ODESSA, TX - In the first of four consecutive games against the Corpus Christi IceRays, the Odessa Jackalopes looked every bit a playoff team in an authoritative 4-1 victory Friday at Ector County Coliseum. With the win, the Jackalopes improved to 18-24-5 overall this season and with 41 points, remain alone in fifth place in the NAHL's South Division standings, seven points shy of the IceRays for the South Division's fourth and final playoff spot.

After a lively start to the game, the Jacks struck first at 8:25 of the opening frame when Taylor Portner stuffed home a rebound chance off a Tyler Cayemberg shot to stake Odessa to a 1-0 lead. After a series of scoring chances for both teams, the Jackalopes doubled their lead at 18:10 when Cayemberg forced a shorthanded turnover in his own zone, lugged the puck through center and slipped a short-side tally past IceRays goaltender Anthony Stolarz to make it 2-0 Odessa.

After Frank Misuraca drew Corpus Christi within a goal late in the second period, Jackalopes leading scorer Jalen Krogman made it 3-1 Odessa at 18:48 of the middle frame, when he tapped home an impressive cross-zone power-play pass from Lawrence Cornellier. Following a third period in which Corpus Christi was never able to mount a charge, former IceRay Josh Obregon sealed the win for the Jacks with a final-minute empty net goal to make it 4-1 Odessa.

Jackalopes netminder Connor Hellebuyck turned in an impressive performance Friday, stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced, outdueling Stolarz, who turned aside 44 shots in his 15th loss of the season. Odessa stuggled on the power play, connecting on just one of seven chances on Friday, but set a new season-high with 48 shots on goal in the victory.

Next up for the Jacks, it's a one-game road trip to Corpus Christi where Odessa will do battle with the IceRays on Saturday night with the opening faceoff set for 7:35 pm.

The Odessa Jackalopes celebrate their 15th Anniversary in 2011-12 and drop the puck on their inaugural campaign as a member of the North American Hockey League. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-7825 or by visiting the Jacks online at www.jackalopes.org.

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