Odessa, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes have only taken both games in a weekend one other time this season, and it was against these IceRays the first time they saw each other. Another chance to do the same here tonight at the Ector County Coliseum.
The first period opened up with a two-on-one breakaway set up by Rowan Savidant. Savidant rimmed a puck off the boards to find Ludwig Stenlund at center ice. He turned and had Frantti on his left, but with a little room, Stenlund pulled it in tight and fired one off past Corpus Christi’s net minder, Tomás Vomácka for the one goal lead.
Odessa would add another four minutes later when Chase Thudium found Stenlund as he was falling to the ice. Stenlund saw Savidant sliding into the high slot and ripped a pass tape-to-tape, allowing Savidant to fling one back toward Vomácka in net for the snipe and the two-goal lead.
Corpus Christi would fight back as Brad Power netted a gritty power play goal late in the 1st period to bring the IceRays back within 1.
Power would open the second period with another goal to tie the game at two. Josh Tripp carried the puck into the corner before tossing a pass towards the top of the crease. Power crashed the net and was able to bounce one past Jonny Hogue for the second game.
Both goaltenders would shut down the opposition through the rest of regulation, forcing an overtime game. The IceRays entered overtime needing the victory to clinch the playoffs, especially with a Wichita Falls loss to Lone Star.
It was back and forth with plenty of opportunities before Zach Zech came down the ice on a pass from Connor Stuart for a 2-on-1 breakaway again. In a play looking like a mirror image of Stenlund’s first goal, Zech rips one and beats Vomácka for the overtime winner.
The Jackalopes swept the IceRays for their first weekend sweep since October 14 & 15 in Corpus Christi. Odessa was able to fend off playoff elimination for one more weekend as they will look to stay alive against the Amarillo Bulls next Thursday night at the Ector County Coliseum.
The 2017-2018 Odessa Jackalopes season 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.
