FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, January 17, 2014
JACKALOPES OFFENSE OVERWHELMS ICERAYS IN 5-2 WIN
Two-goal performance from Connor Thie leads Jacks over the ‘Rays
ODESSA, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes came into play on Friday winless in their past four past games trying to forget a tough 1-0 loss to the Amarillo Bulls on January 7th. The Jacks have had more success against the IceRays than any other team this year, going 5-3 against them in the previous eight games this season. Eric Hancock made his second straight start in the Jacks net. He was opposed by Ben Myers for the IceRays.
The Jacks got the scoring started 11 minutes and seven seconds into the game on Ian Mansfield’s second goal of the season. Mansfield took a pass behind the goal from Andrew McLean and banked a shot off the Corpus Christi goaltender and into the net. Corpus Christi would tie the game six seconds later on a goal by Nick Monfils from the left circle. He snapped a shot passed Eric Hancock’s goal to put the IceRays on the board. The Jacks broke the tie at 12:45 when Connor Thie redirected a Connor Chambers shot past Myers to make it 2-1, Jacks. Odessa added another from Thie at 17:12 when an IceRays player turned the puck over right onto Thie’s stick. Thie beat Myers over the right shoulder to give the Jacks a 3-1 lead after one period.
In the second, both teams offensive pressure would be stymied by great goaltending by Eric Hancock and Ben Myers. The IceRays outshot the Jacks, 10-8 in the period but both goaltenders would not yield.
The Jacks added power play goal in the third at 3;39 from Leo Lumm. Grant Hutton got the ‘Rays closer at 4-2, but Lukas Laub added an empty net goal to give the Jacks a 5-2 win.
The same two teams will battle tomorrow night at 7:05 at the American Bank Center. Jacks fans can listen to the game live on Classic Rock 102.1 FM KFZX and watch on FASTHockey.
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 —
