Odessa, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes (8-5-0-1) were mount a comeback to defeat the Topeka RoadRunners (6-9-0-0) for the third straight night. The matchup was the final of three to finish off Red Ribbon Week with ECISD and the Education Foundation.
The Jackalopes were able to get the offense started from Peyton Frantti. Evan Rochowiak would tie the game and Zach Heintz netted the game-winner. Evan Somoza added one last empty-netter late to seal the deal. Alex Camarre was in net for the second time this series, making 39 saves on the night.
The RoadRunners got off to a hot start with two goals in the first 1:50. Topeka got the first one from Dylan Rauh as he beat a diving Camarre for the 1-0 lead. Chad Hillebrand added another 38 seconds later on a two-on-one breakaway to beat the Jacks goaltender.
Camarre really settled down after the first two minutes and left it in the hands of the offense. Peyton Frantti came to the rescue with 27 seconds left in the first. Evan Rochowiak saucered a pass to James Crossman whose shot was rebounded to Frantti, who was able to bury his fourth of the season.
A scoreless second had some action as Nick Wilson was involved in a scrum to protect his goaltender, but received a game misconduct as a result, losing him for the entire third period.
The penalty fired up the Jackalopes offense who brought the pain with three goals in the third period. It started as a shot from James Crossman was saved by Topeka netminder, Connor Murphy, before Evan Rochowiak lifted a backhand up and in for the tie game only 1:38 into the period.
Zach Heintz would continue the pressure with only 4:24 remaining in regulation when his shot hit off a defenseman’s stick, knuckled end-over-end, and ended up going bar-down for the game-winning goal.
Odessa would finish it off as Joey Rosa stole the puck on a big hit, and Evan Somoza spun and slid one down the ice, about 175 feet, for the empty netter to seal the deal and finish off the Jacks sweep.
Connor Murphy turned back 28 shots during the RoadRunners loss. The Jackalopes penalty kill was 4-4, and a perfect 11-for-11 on the weekend.
The Jackalopes carry their momentum into a rematch with the Lone Star Brahmas next weekend in North Richland Hills. The two teams are tied for second in the south, and look to have a very physical matchup.
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 —
