TOPEKA, KS — It was another tough night for the Odessa Jackalopes (7-27-1-1) as they fell 6-1 to the Topeka Pilots (25-10-1-2) at the Stormont Vail Events Center on Saturday night.
After an even start to the game both sides went back and forth with chances in the first period. It was while the Jackalopes were on the power play as Quinn Green forced a turnover and skated down on a short-handed three-on-one play. Green took the shot himself and scored to give the Pilots a 1-0 lead late in the first period.
The Pilots added one more in the period with less then ten seconds to go off a deflection in front. In the span of less then three minutes, the Jackalopes found themselves in the exact same position they faced on Friday, down 2-0 going into the second period.
Unlike Friday, the Pilots unloaded four unanswered goals in the second period, with the first two coming less than two and a half minutes into the period.
Facing a 6-0 deficit in the third period the Jackalopes rallied and were rewarded with Chace McCardle’s second goal of the season off a deflection in front, thus denying Topeka netminder Josh Langford the chance of a shutout.
Zach Stern made 47 saves for Odessa on 53 shots against, while Langford made 28 saves on 29 shots sent his way by the Jackalopes. Both teams ended the night scoreless on the power play.
The Jackalopes will look forward to two weeks and five straight games at home at the Ector County Coliseum starting next Friday when they host the first of a three-game series against the Amarillo Bulls.
Photo: Danne´ Braden Photography
