Hausinger Seals the Deal with OT Winner

Odessa, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes opened night two of three for Shriners Weekend with a 4-3 victory over the Wichita Falls Wildcats. In 9 matchups this season, this would be the 5th overtime game between the two squads.

The Wildcats got an early power play, but the outstanding shot blocking of Riley Bechard and Tyler Pietrowski, not to mention Jonny Hogue’s big saves, kept the game scoreless. It wasn’t until the 10:57 mark in the first period that Chris Donaldson was able to net the first one of the game. Donaldson came screaming down the left wall before snapping a shot off across the body of Wichita Falls’ Jared Dempsey for the 1-0 lead.

Christian Hausinger would add another three minutes later as he deked the Wildcats defense into a full 360º turn before firing one bar-down. Hausinger got fed from Ludwig Stenlund at the point and carried it down towards the right circle before sniping one past Dempsey for the two-goal lead.

Just over 13 and a half minutes into the middle period, the Wildcats were heading to a power play when Dempsey slashed Bechard and Riley returned the favor. Chaos broke out as six guys a peace started to get into the mess, including Jonny Hogue. Wichita Falls would end up on a power play thanks to a Connor Wood checking from behind call before the mess.

Kevin Fees from Wichita Falls would get a game misconduct for leaving the bench as Chris Donaldson would get one for Odessa for being the third man in. Wood would also receive a game misconduct for the hit from behind.

13 seconds into the power play, the officials called Zac Herrmann for a delay of game call, resulting in 1:47 of 5-on-3 time for the Wildcats. The two-man advantage resulted in a power play goal for Ryan Orgel and the Wildcats, bringing the game within one. A minute later, Domantas Cypus wristed one through the five-hole of Hogue to tie the game.

That wouldn’t last long however as Stenlund faked a slap shot and scooted down low before giving a beautiful pass, tape-to-tape, for Pietrowski’s back door goal to give the Jacks the 3-2 lead.

A more physical third period left both teams scoreless until Wichita Falls pulled Dempsey with 1:38 remaining in regulation for the extra attacker. 39 seconds later, Orgel fired one on net that beat Hogue for the tie game, resulting in overtime.

Wichita Falls had momentum through the first 30 seconds before Zach Zech, Levi Wunder, and Hausinger put on a passing display to tire out the defense. Chase Thudium would swap on the ice for Wunder as quick passing had Zech find Thudium fresh onto the ice, and Thudium to Hausinger for the open back door, resulting in the overtime winner.

The Jackalopes have one more game tomorrow night against the Wildcats to close out Shriner’s Weekend. Following the game, the Jacks will have their annual, Shriners Jersey Auction, followed by Dueling Pianos for the second consecutive year.