Magic Number is One for Division Title
February 23, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release
(Odessa, TX) - The Jacks earned four points over the weekend lowering their magic number to one to win the Southwest Division title for the first time since 2005-2006. Odessa has 12 games left in the regular season.
Last week's record: 2-1-0
This week's games: Tuesday vs. Mississippi, Friday vs. New Mexico, Saturday vs. Amarillo
Friday vs. Amarillo, 6-3 Win
The Jackalopes scored five unanswered goals after trailing 3-1 in the first period. Collin Circelli tied the game at 3-3 at 17:12 of the second period. Jeff Pierce put the Jackalopes ahead, 4-3, for good in the third period at 4:10. Circelli and Sebastien Thinel each finished with three points.
Saturday vs. Texas, 4-3 (SO) Win
The top two teams in the Southern Conference endured another marathon finish as the Jackalopes pulled off the comeback win. Collin Circelli tied the game at 3-3 with :57 left in regulation as Odessa pulled their goalie. It took a 10-round shootout as Phil Plante scored the game winner. Odessa and Texas have played 22 rounds of shootout hockey in their last two meetings.
Sunday vs. New Mexico, 5-4 Loss
Six goals were scored in the third period between Odessa and the Scoripons, including three in the last three minutes. New Mexico's Seth Leonard scored the game winner for the Scorpions with :31 seconds left in the game. It's the only time this season Odessa has lost when leading after two periods.
Tuesday vs. Mississippi, 7:05 PM
It's the second of three meetings this season between the Jackalopes and the Mississippi Riverkings. Mississippi is one of the hottest teams in the league going 9-0-2 in their last 11 games including a two game sweep of the league's best team, Colorado, during that stretch. The first time Odessa faced Mississippi it was a 4-1 win for the Riverkings back on February 6th.
Friday vs. New Mexico, 7:05 PM
Odessa and the Scorpions drop the puck for the final time in the regular season. Odessa leads the season series with a 4-3-0 record. Odessa's Sebastien Thinel (14 points) and New Mexico's Christopher Robertson (10 points) lead their respective teams in scoring in the series.
Saturday vs. Amarillo, 7:05 PM
It's the Gorillas final visit to the Ector County Coliseum and the second to last game of the regular season between Odessa and Amarillo. Odessa leads the season series with a 5-2-0 record and has outscored Amarillo, 36-24. The Jacks have scored five goals or more in all five of their wins against Amarillo this season.
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 currently in its 12th season. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-PUCK or visiting jackalopes.org.
Central Hockey League Stories from February 23, 2009
- Mudbugs Weekly - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Rocky Mountain Rage Weekly - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Shots from the Point-February 23rd - CHL
- Cherwonak Resigns, Head Coach/GM Pietroniro Assumes Role as Team President - Arizona Sundogs
- McNulty Garners Goalie of the Week Award - New Mexico Scorpions
- Deitsch Named Player of the Week; Brahmas Play Early Tomorrow - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Oakley CHL Player/Goaltender of the Week Winners Announced - CHL
- Oilers Weekly - Tulsa Oilers
- Magic Number is One for Division Title - Odessa Jackalopes
- Eagles Week In Review - Colorado Eagles
- Thunder Drop Two in Mississippi - Wichita Thunder
- Jacks "Relay For Life" to Benefit American Cancer Society - Odessa Jackalopes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
