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NAHL Odessa Jackalopes

'Stangs Avoid Sweep, Top Jacks 6-3

January 22, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release


RIO RANCHO, NM - In the final game of their season-long, seven-game "Rodeo" road trip, the Odessa Jackalopes sputtered, dropping a 6-3 decision Sunday afternoon to the New Mexico Mustangs at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. With the loss, the Jackalopes fell to 14-19-5 overall this season and with 33 points, remain alone in fifth place in the NAHL's South Division standings, six points shy of the Corpus Christi IceRays for the fourth and final playoff spot in the South Division.

For the second consecutive game, the Jacks surrendered an early lead to New Mexico, as a Connor Kingsbury wrister put the Mustangs up 1-0 at 3:35 of the opening period. Without a Jackalopes response, the Mustangs kept firing, rattling off back-to-back goals midway through the first and early in the second period, from Tate Rusk and Evan Johnston respectively, to extend the New Mexico lead to 3-0.

Then, Odessa defenseman Bryan Mitchell potted his first goal of the season at 5:43 of the middle frame, a power-play tally assisted by Tyler Cayemberg and Lawrence Cornellier that put the Jacks back in the game at 3-1. With the momentum suddenly in their favor, the Jacks offense parlayed Mitchell's score into more offense, as Darren Lapic sprung TJ Sennott on a shorthanded breakaway and Sennott did the rest, netting his second goal of the season at 9:51 of the period to pull the Jacks within a goal at 3-2.

After a pair of New Mexico power-play goals early in the third period, the Jacks mustered one more offensive push at 16:47 of the final frame when Tyler Cayemberg stuffed home a nifty pass from Larence Cornellier to make it 5-3, but a late Evan Johnston goal for New Mexico iced it for the Mustangs.

Next up for the Jacks, it's a Friday night showdown with the Amarillo Bulls on January 27th in the Jackalopes' return to Ector County Coliseum.

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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