Topeka, Kansas (JAN 15, 2015) – The Odessa Jackalopes (11-16-4) scored twice in the first, but the Topeka RoadRunners (21-14-1) used a three-goal second and netted the lone goal in the third to beat the Jacks, 4-3, Friday night at Kansas ExpoCentre in Topeka, Kansas.
Just 1:27 into the first, Hampus Sjodahl (16) got the Jacks on the board when he blazed past the Topeka defense and snuck a brake away through the five-hole of Tyler Johnson. After Pierce Plummer had been called for tripping, Odessa caught the Runners napping on the power play when Sjodahl fed a two-on-one pass to Gray Marr (8) who ripped it past Johnson at 8:05.
In the second, the RoadRunners took advantage of an early power play when Dominic Lutz (18) banged home a perfect backdoor feed from Sami Tavernier. Topeka then tied the game on a Marcus Russell snipe at 3:21 and took the lead when Lutz netted his second at 4:55. With less than a minute left in the third, Eric Carreras fired a seeing-eye wrister under the left pad of Johnson at 19:41 to tie it at 3-3 after two.
In the third, the RoadRunners’ Cam Strong (9) tipped a shot from the point past and Shatzer and despite a late flurry by Odessa the RoadRunners only needed the one third period goal to earn a 4-3 win.
Dean Shatzer (4-9-3) was strong in the loss; making 23 saves on 27 shots. On the others end, Tyler Johnson (14-8-2) broke a three-game losing streak by making 34 saves on 37 saves.
In 2015-16, the Odessa Jackalopes will embark upon their fifth season in the North American Hockey League and 19th 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.
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— ODESSA JACKALOPES —
