Last night the Jacks faced the Lone Star Brahmas for the first time this season. Odessa entered the game with a 5-6-0-1 record and is in sixth place in the South. Lone Star is not only the top team in the division but also in the NAHL. They went into game one with a 12-1 record and were on a 10-game winning streak.
The opening period saw both teams trying to find their groove in the first matchup of the season. The Brahmas were able to get the first few shots on net but were unable to beat Greg Orosz. The Jacks answered by scoring the first goal of the game. Marking the eighth time they have scored first out of their 13 games so far. The goal was scored by J.R. Perdion (4) after he deflected a pass from Brendan Finn. Odessa kept up the pressure but could not get another shot past the Wisconsin commit goaltender, William Gramme. The Jacks were outshooting the Brahmas 8-6 going into the first-period intermission.
The second period once again saw neither team record double-digit shots however, Lone Star did manage to tie the game. The tying goal was scored by Nate Mann (2) nearly 6:30 into the second period. Throughout the middle period, there was some 4-on-4 hockey but even with more available ice for both squads neither would capitalize on it. The Jacks and Brahmas went back to the locker room after two periods tied at one apiece. Lone Star was leading in shots 14-13.
In the final period, Lone Star showed why they are the best team in the NAHL and on a 10-game win streak. They got their first lead of the game after Antti Autere (1) sent a shot from the point that went right through a heavy screen and past Orosz. Less than two minutes later, Nate Mann (3) got his second of the night after tipping the puck between Orosz’s legs. The Jacks threw everything they had at Lone Star and Gramme but were unable to register a goal. The Brahmas added their fourth of the game and third of the final period after their captain, Mason Mara (7), scored an empty-net goal. Giving them a 4-1 victory for game one and extending their winning streak to 11. The Brahmas outshot the Jacks 27-21. Even with both teams being in the top three in penalty minutes in the South neither had a powerplay all game. There were also no penalties called for the first and third periods.
The Brahmas improve their overall record to 13-1 (26pts). The Jacks are now 5-7-0-1 (11pts) going into game two tonight. Head Coach Scott Deur had this to say following the loss, “I thought we were playing good hockey in the first period and playing the way we want to play. In the second I thought we got away from our game and were too fancy. In the third, I think we went back to playing the way we should be playing but they get a few lucky bounces and some screens and that is the difference.” Game two is scheduled for tonight at 7:30 pm CDT.
