Amarillo, TX – Another offensive outburst results in a 6-3 win for the Odessa Jackalopes (22-13-2-1) as they beat out the Amarillo Bulls (13-15-4-3) on the road. C.J. Hapward started in net for the Jackalopes for his first career junior hockey appearance.
For the second straight night, the Jackalopes got the first lead of the contest 11:32 into the first period. Joey Rosa’s shot was blocked by a body in front, but the rebound found Blake Bride and Bride flung one past Amarillo’s Trevor Micucci for the first goal of the night.
Amarillo’s Trey Bagwell tied it up late in the first as he beat C.J. Hapward with a snipe. Bagwell used Odessa’s own defenseman as a screen to tie the game at one.
Jacks would head to a power play early in the first period and it only took 30 seconds for Zach Heintz to wrist one past Micucci on the short side for the lead once again. The Bulls would net one five and a half minutes later, but the Jacks sandwiched Amarillo’s lone goal with one more from James Crossman who beat Micucci through the five-hole for the 3-2 lead.
Odessa began the third period with a quick goal for the second straight night, by the same exact person. Jared Christy found a lose puck and placed it perfectly past Micucci for his third goal of the weekend for the two-goal advantage only 1:49 into the final regulation period.
Three minutes later, Evan Somoza forced an defensive turnover by Amarillo, and Ricky Carballo collected and fired off his 11th tally of the season. The Bulls would get one back later on a rink-wide, back-door goal for Brancheau’s second in as many games.
Odessa would net one more later with 2:12 remaining in the contest while at 4-on-4 action. Bride found a bouncing puck and punched it over Micucci for the final goal of the night, and his second of the contest.
C.J. Hapward made 34 saves in his first career junior hockey start and win, while Micucci blocked 34 chances from Odessa for the loss.
The Jacks return to action tomorrow night for the weekend finale in Amarillo. If you can’t make it out to the Panhandle, make sure to tune in on Classic Rock 102 and Hockeytv.com.
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 —
