The Odessa Jackalopes were home once again to take on the Shreveport Mudbugs for the first time since 2011. Back in 2011, both teams were part of the Central Hockey League, vying for a different trophy.
The first period started off Jackalopes, but three power play opportunities for the Mudbugs turned the tides. Jacks were able to get on the board first though with a power play goal of their own by Zach Zech, his 23rd all time Jackalopes goal. With that goal, Zech has now moved into sole possession of 6th place on the Jackalopes NAHL scoring leader sheet.
The third power play of the period for the Mudbugs was a good one, as it only took 16 second for Shreveport to tie up the game. Feduolov took the pass from Erik Zohovs and was able to find the only open slot between Hogue and the net, tying the game at 1-1.
In the second, the Jacks and Mudbugs each got one more power play chance, with neither of them executing on the opportunities. Instead, it was Nick Wilson with great ice vision who found Brandon Krumpschmid cherry picking the blue line for a stretch pass. Krumpschmid had a wide open lane to the net, where he wound up and released one through the legs of Lubbesmeyer for the 2-1 lead.
It didn’t last long though, as Erik Zohovs tied the game up at 2-2 with only 16 seconds left in the second period. Zohovs took some speed and raced towards the net. It looked like he took the puck around the net, but lost it on his way in and somehow was able to slide the mistake past Hogue for the tie.
The third period started off the Jacks way quickly. 33 seconds in the third period, Nick Klishko had some room and took a great backhanded shot on net that beat Lubbesmeyer through the wickets for the 3-2 lead. Once again, the Mudbugs fought back and scored just under four minutes later as Cameron Cook took a shot through, once again, the only slot between Hogue and the near post.
The game was tied at the end of regulation and forced overtime. It seemed to be all Shreveport with a lot of ice time in the attacking zone. Jonny Hogue was able to make all the difficult saves, but a neutral zone turnover came back to hurt the Jacks. Croix Evingson took the puck in the neutral zone and raced towards the net for a forehanded chance that he stuffed home, sliding between the legs of Hogue in net for the 4-3 victory.
Jackalopes goaltender Jonny Hogue saved 36 of 40 shots in net on his way to a loss. Hogue’s record is now 5-6 on the year, the first time he is below the .500 mark. Lubbesmeyer saved 38 of 41 shots he faced tonight, for his third victory over the Jacks on the season.
Season tickets can still be bought at the Jackalopes office, or by calling 432-552-PUCK(7825). 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 —
