ODESSA, TX — It was a tough night for the Odessa Jackalopes (3-3-0-0) as they fell to the Shreveport Mudbugs (3-1-0-0) at the Ector County Coliseum by a score of 6-1 on Saturday night.
After a scoreless first period, the Jackalopes found themselves in a 2-0 hole after the Mudbugs scored on a quick rush up ice and again on the power play in the mid-stages of the second period. Shreveport added on one more power-play tally as Mudbug forward Sean Bunting was able to pick up his second of the night.
The Jackalopes fought back later in the period however and trimmed the lead to 3-1 after forward Jacob Badal broke through with a power-play goal of his own. While regrouping on the powerfully, the Jackalopes found themselves on an odd-man break moving up ice. The rush was led on on the left side, by forward Jacob Badal. Instead of passing, Badal found some open ice and was able gain time and space to send a wicked wrist-shot in stride tward the net. The shot sailed past Shreveport netminder Cole Hudson and into the back of the net. Badal’s goal served as a spark for the Jackalopes as they came on hard in the closing stages of the second period and the early parts of the third. However, they were unable to solve Hudson a second time and pull within one.
The Mudbugs however added on three more goals, including an empty netter by Bunting for the hat trick, in the final period of play.
The Jackalopes ended up out-shooting the Mudbugs yet again on Saturday evening 26-23. Despite this however the Jacks were forced into their first sweep at the hands of a visiting team this season.
Now with six points, the Jacks find themselves in a three-way tie for second place in the South Division along with Shreveport and the Wichita Falls Warriors. The good news is that Odessa will have plenty of time to regroup and improve as they will have a bye-week this weekend before setting up for three games around the Thanksgiving holiday, including two at the Ector County Coliseum, against the Amarillo Bulls.
