AMARILLO, TX — Unlike Friday night, goal scoring was hard to come by on Saturday. All goals were scored in the third period as the Jackalopes fell to the Amarillo Bulls 3-1 at the Budweiser Bull Pen.
The first period started with the Jackalopes killing off a double-minor for high sticking and holding the Bulls at bay. Jackalopes netminder Zach Stern stood tall in his first start in net since November, 2 against Shreveport. He made 32 saves by the end of the evening.
In the second period, the Jackalopes had some good chances and hit a post on one shot, but again both goaltenders stood tall and kept the game scoreless through two periods.
In the third period though it was the Jackalopes who opened the scoring. While on the power play Matt Clark sent a pass over to Matt Hutton who sent a hard shot tward the goal. The shot was tipped by Jan Blasko in front and the puck ricochet off two posts and into the back of the net. Blasko, picking up back-to-back power-play goals for the Jackalopes made it 1-0 early in the third period.
Unfortunately the Amarillo Bulls stormed back with two goals by Jordan Venegoni, the first one came off a face-off and the other on a power-play.
The Jackalopes had a power play late in the game in a bid to tie, but could not find the back of the net. It was Venegoni who iced the game and a hat trick with an empty net goal with three seconds left to seal a 3-1 win for Amarillo.
The Jackalopes travel home to Odessa next week to host the Topeka Pilots for the first time this season. Face-off is set for 7:15 pm this Friday and Saturday.
