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NAHL Odessa Jackalopes

Overtime Again: Jacks Top Minot 3-2

September 15, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release


BLAINE, MN - On the final day of the 2012 NAHL Showcase, the Odessa Jackalopes made it back-to-back overtime wins as they defeated the Minot Minotauros 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota. With the win, the Jacks improved to 2-2-0 on the season and with four points, currently rank fifth in the NAHL's South Division standings. The victory improved Odessa's all-time NAHL Showcase record to 2-5-1.

For the fourth consecutive game, the Jackalopes managed a single-digit shot total in the first period as, courtesy of Minotauros centerman Jadin Martin's first goal of the season at the 11:30 mark, Minot took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. The Jackalopes responded with a more physical effort in the second, but surrendered another Minotauros goal at 11:44 of the middle frame on Mason Morelli's first goal of the season.

Entering the third period down by a pair of goals, Odessa came up short on a number of power-play chances until the nine minute mark, when Jacks center Taylor Portner tapped a loose puck into a wide open net at even strength on feeds from Tyler Cayemberg and Steven Haydon to draw the Jackalopes within a goal.

One night removed from a two-goal effort, including an overtime winner, Odessa's leading scorer from 2011-12, forward Lawrence Cornellier, stayed red hot on Saturday, potting the game-tying goal, his third of the season at 14:14 of the final period, assisted by Ryan Doucet and Jalen Krogman, then, in overtime, received a lengthy breakaway pass from Mike Mezzano and striped a third-effort rebound goal past Minot goaltender Ryan Ruck to win the game for Odessa 3-2.

Appearing in relief of Odessa starter Jacob Theut, who was ejected from the game midway through the first period for spearing, Jackalopes goaltender Blake Wojtala made seven saves on nine shots faced to earn his second win as a Jackalope. Saturday marked the first time Odessa outshot their opponent in 2012-13, tallying 23 shots to Minot's 17 and the first time Odessa has surrendered multiple power-play goals in a single game so far this season.

Next up for the Jacks, the South Division schedule gets underway Monday night with a 7:05 pm showdown with the Topeka RoadRunners at the Kansas ExpoCentre in Topeka, Kansas.

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.

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