Odessa, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes (5-3-0-0) fell to the Shreveport Mudbugs (7-2-0-0) 4-1 in the first game of their home 2017-18 campaign. The game took place as the home opener for the Jackalopes at the Ector County Coliseum.
The lone Odessa goal was scored by Nick McKeeby; his first of the season in the third. Brett Epp (3-3-0-0) was in net to turn away 26 shots while taking the loss.
Shreveport got on the board first as a defensive turnover gave the Mudbugs’ Andrew Lane a chance that Epp saved. Jake Transit was in perfect position for the rebound goal to give the ‘Bugs a 1-0 lead.
It would be the Mudbugs again in the second as Branden VanSweden joins a breakaway effort to beat Epp. VanSweden raced down the right side of ice to fire one off to the far post and in, giving the Mudbugs a 2-0 lead.
The Jacks got some life as a few scuffles started to ensue early in the third. It gave them enough for a Nick McKeeby shot that found the five-hole of James Durham through traffic to bring Odessa back within 1 at the 6:28 mark or the third.
The Jacks were then headed to a power play only a couple seconds later, but a turnover gave the Mudbugs a chance the other way. Dominick Procopio flung one at the net that got redirected off a stick and off a clueless VanSweden into the net for a 3-1 lead 30 seconds later.
Three minutes after that, the Mudbugs had a one-on-one breakaway once again. Derek Contessa came screaming into the attacking zone as Epp made the first save, but a soft rebound found Contessa, who in turn found the back of the net to put the game out of reach at 4-1 where it would finish.
James Durham (3-0-0-0) made 22 saves to lead the Mudbugs to victory. Both teams were a perfect 3-3 on the penalty kill tonight.
The Jackaloeps look for revenge tomorrow night as they host the Shreveport Mudbugs for the Saturday finale at the Ector County Coliseum. Puck drop will be at 7:11 pm.
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 —
