FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday September 28th, 2013
HANCOCK SHINES IN JACKS 4-0 LOSS TO AMARILLO
Jacks goaltender makes 42 saves in losing effort
AMARILLO, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes were looking to build off of a 4-2 loss on Friday night in which a lot of positives were taken away by the Jacks coaching staff. Eric Hancock got the start in goal for the first time in five games and was looking for his first career junior victory. He was opposed by Paul Berrafato of Amarillo, who had struggled in his first two starts, getting pulled against Johnstown and giving up six goals vs. Janesville.
Amarillo, building off of the emotion of their 2013 Robertson Cup banner raising ceremony, took it to the Jacks in the first period. The Bulls outshot the Jackalopes 17-6 but it was Jacks goaltender Eric Hancock who stood on his head. Hancock made a couple of point-blank stops on the Bulls that developed off of turnovers in the Jacks defensive zone. The Jacks withstood the onslaught, and there was no score after one period.
The Bulls would finally break through at 22 seconds of the 2nd period. Ben Jentsch took a shot from the blue line that Eric Hancock failed to see until it was already behind him. The Bulls would add to their lead at the 5:00 mark of the 2nd period on another fluky goal, this time from Mike Davis. Davis banked the puck off of Hancock and just behind the goal line. The Bulls outshot the Jacks 11-7 in the 2nd , but this time had a two-goal lead to show for it.
In the third it was more of the same. The Bulls made the most of their opportunities and the Jackalopes did not. Cody Gylling scored his first goal as a Bull at 44 seconds of the third. Adem Arifi shot the puck from the blue line and the rebound was deposited by Gylling into the top shelf. After a 5:00 major penalty to Chad Guderian, Kyle Gattelaro scored on the ensuing face-off. The Bulls took a 4-0 lead that they would not surrender. Paul Berrafato picked up the win in net for the Bulls by way of a 19 save shutout. The Jacks were shutout for the fourth time this season in just nine games.
The Jacks Power Hour coaches show is back on the air Monday, September 30 at 7:00 live from the Rockin’ Q Smokehouse at 3812 Penbrook. The voice of the Jacks, Joey Battaino will be joined by Head Coach Matt Cressman and select players from the Jackalopes.
Single game tickets for the Jackalopes Home Opening Weekend are on sale now. To purchase your tickets, call (432) 552-7825 or go to http://www.jackalopes.org for more information.
In 2013-14, the Odessa Jackalopes will embark upon their third season in the North American Hockey League and 17th in the Permian Basin. Single game tickets are on sale now! To reserve your seats, contact the Jackalopes’ ticket office today at 432-552-7825 or log on to www.jackalopes.org for more information.
Be sure to follow the Jackalopes on Twitter @LetsGoJacks all year long and don’t forget to ‘Like’ the official “Odessa Jackalopes” fan page on Facebook.
— ODESSA JACKALOPES —
