Yesterday the Jacks faced the Corpus Christi IceRays to kick off the weekend series. Odessa came into game one looking to snap their three-game losing streak. As for the IceRays, they are trying to chase down El Paso for seventh place in the South. Odessa has won all four meetings against Corpus Christi this season.
Odessa started the first period by notching the opening goal at the 4:24 mark. The goal came from assistant captain, Dayne Hoyord (7). The IceRays used the hometown crowd to their advantage and were able to beat Greg Orosz with 7:30 remaining in the period. The tying goal came from Logan Neilson (6). The hard-fought first period would end in a 1-1 score with the IceRays outshooting the Jackalopes, 12-9.
In the second period, Odessa wasted little time regaining the lead. At 5:12 of the middle frame Hoyord (8) got loose on a breakaway and once again beat Lukas Malant. The IceRays put up 15 shots in the period but even with all their chances they were unable to tie it again. Giving Odessa a 2-1 lead heading into the second-period intermission. The IceRays were still outshooting the Jacks, 27-17.
Odessa applied a lot of pressure throughout the final 20 minutes and would be rewarded for it. Their third goal came from Hoyord (9) with just over two minutes left in regulation. Marking his third career shutout. All of which have been against the IceRays. Corpus Christi was unable to claw their way back as the Jacks would skate away with a 3-1 victory. The IceRays outshot the Jacks, 34-31. Odessa went 0/2 on the powerplay and Corpus Christi went 0/3.
Odessa now sits three points behind Amarillo for fifth place in the South. However, the Jackalopes are still 11 points out of a playoff spot and have 19 games remaining on the season. The puck drop for game two against Corpus Christi is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT.
Photo credit: Danne Braden
