FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday, February 21, 2015
JACKS DROP HARD-FOUGHT 6-4 DECISION TO WENATCHEE
Jacks battle back twice but sacrifice late power play goal to the Wild
ODESSA, TX – On Saturday, the Jackalopes faced-off with the Wenatchee Wild for the fifth and final time this season. The Jackalopes had dropped three of the first four coming into action tonight at the Ector County Coliseum in Odessa and were looking to end a seven-game losing streak in the month of February.
The game started off very physical for both teams and the Jacks were assed the first penalty of the contest 3:09 in. The Wenatchee power play struck for the third time on the weekend when Brendan Harris (St. Cloud State) beat Jacks goaltender Tanner Creel at 3:15. The Jackalopes answered back at 5:12 of the first on a sharp-angled shot from the right circle from defenseman Dakoda Menslage. His sixth of the season and first as a Jackalope knotted the score at one apiece. Wenatchee went back out front 2-1 at 9:28 on a goal from David Powlowski off to the side of the net. Powlowski found a rebound and was uncontested off to the side of the goal. The Wild lead 2-1 after one and outshot the Jacks, 12-11 in the first.
The Jackalopes got hungrier in the second. Taylor Gatto notched his first career junior goal by banging home loose change in front of the Wild goal. The game was tied at two. Just 15 seconds later, Donovan Ott (Cornell) gave the Wild the lead once again. After an interference call on Dakota Raabe of Wenacthee, the Jacks surrendered their fourth shorthanded goal against in the last four games when Brendan Harris notched his second tally of the game to put Wenatchee up 4-2. Taylor Gatto answered with his second goal of the contest on the power play at 18:59 when he redirected a shot in the net from Christian Hausinger (Sacred Heart) The Jacks trailed 4-3 heading into the final frame.
It didn’t take long for the Jacks leading goal scorers to electrify the Coliseum crowd in the third. Derek Brown (Niagara) finished off a nifty two-on-two rush with Kenny Hausinger (Sacred Heart) to tie the game at 4-4. The physicality continued during the third but the Jacks Danny Kiraly would be whistled for a slash at 12:20. Andre Pison scored from the slot on a centering pass from David Powlowski to put the Wild up for good. Dakota Raabe added an empty net goal to give the Wild the decision, 6-4.
The Jacks will try to defend Coliseum ice next weekend as we welcome in Chad Guderian and the Lone Star Brahmas. The Jacks will battle the Brahmas on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28. To get your tickets call (432) 552-7825 or visit http://www.westtexastix.com/ to purchase online.
In 2014-15, the Odessa Jackalopes will embark upon their fourth season in the North American Hockey League and 18th in the Permian Basin. 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.
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 —
