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NAHL Odessa Jackalopes

Winning streak halted at seven as Jacks remain tied for final playoff spot

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


AMARILLO, TX - In the final game of the two teams' regular-season series, the Odessa Jackalopes fell to the Amarillo Bulls 1-0 on Saturday at Amarillo Civic Center's Cal Farley Coliseum. With the loss, Odessa fell to 26-26-5 overall this season and thanks to Corpus Christi's Saturday night loss to Texas, the Jacks remain tied with the IceRays for fourth place in the NAHL's South Division standings and the South Division's final playoff spot.

In the Jackalopes' final chance to earn a point against Amarillo in the 2011-12 regular-season, a scoreless first period gave way to an even-strength Mike Erickson goal at 7:09 of the middle frame to give the NAHL-best Bulls a 1-0 lead. Despite a determined effort that saw the Jacks kill off six minor penalties against the league's best power-play, the Odessa attack never broke through the rest of the way in the second and throughout the third period, save from a waved-off goal on a Ryan Doucet breakaway chance midway through the third period.

While Amarillo netminder Gregg Gruehl posted his second shutout of the season in a 39-save performance, Odessa goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stole the show, turning aside 37 of the 38 pucks that came his way, including a number of spectacular saves down the stretch to preserve the Jackalopes' one-goal deficit.

Next up for the Jacks, it's a three-game, three-day road trip to end the 2011-12 regular season beginning Friday with a 7:05 pm tilt against the Wichita Falls Wildcats at Kay Yeager 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.

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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