Odessa, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes (5-3-0-1) and the Shreveport Mudbugs (8-2-0-0) battled it out to finish off the home opening weekend for the Jackalopes. The Mudbugs were able to outlast the Jackalopes and win in a 5-person shootout, 3-2.
Noah Poindexter netted his first goal of the season while Peyton Frantti finally broke through after many opportunities at hanging at the doorstep. Alex Camarre (2-0-0-1) took the loss while turning aside 36 shots on the night.
After a scoreless first, Poindexter and the Jacks broke through at the 6:10 mark of the second period. Evan Somoza jumped to save a puck before a tic-tac-toe game broke out between him, Zach Heintz, and Poindexter. Heintz’s pass hit Poindexter’s hit and ricocheted into the back of the net.
Nine minutes later the Jacks netter their second as a Peyton Frantti power play goal found twine for the two-goal lead. James Crossman laid a slap shot onto the stick of Frantti who was able to redirect it past Grigals to widen the lead.
The Mudbugs fought their way back in the third as two penalties on Odessa gave the Mudbugs a 5-on-3 power play for over a minute. Just as the first penalty expired, the ‘Bugs found the net on the short0side by Jack Clement. A few minutes later, another shot by Clement redirected past Camarre for the tie game.
Nobody could break through in the final 10 minutes or in the overtime period so we headed to the first shootout of the season for Odessa. Shreveport was able to pull it out as the game went to an extra-shooter, winning the shootout 2-1 and the game 3-2.
The Mudbugs’ goaltender, Gustavs Grigals, made 32 saves on the night en route to the victory. The Jacks penalty kill was 6-7 on the night.
The Jacks will be at home next weekend as they battle the reigning Robertson Cup Champions, Lone Star Brahmas on Friday and Saturday. Puck drop will take place at 7:11 pm for both games.
The 2017-2018 Odessa Jackalopes single game tickets are on sale now! To reserve your seats, contact the Jackalopes’ ticket office today at 432-552-7825 or hop on to www.jackalopes.org for more information.
Also, be sure to follow the Jackalopes on Twitter and Facebook (@LetsGoJacks), Instagram (odessajackalopes), and add us on Snapchat (odessajacks) all year long.
— ODESSA JACKALOPES —
