Topeka, Kansas (JAN 17, 2015) – The Odessa Jackalopes (11-18-4) never led Sunday night and a three-goal final period proved too much as the Topeka RoadRunners (24-14-1) completed the three-game series sweep with a 6-3 win at Kansas ExpoCentre. In the loss Jacks defenseman, Danny Kiraly returned to the lineup and netted his fifth goal of the year in the second period on the power play.
Just 1:04 into the first, Andrew Hart (6) redirected a Seth Kamrass shot past Dean Shatzer. The Jacks weathered the Runners first-period flurry and ended the frame only down one, besides getting outshot 18-10.
After just one goal in the first, both teams woke up offensively in the second. Kiraly (5) started it for Odessa and tied the game at 1-1 on the power play when he snapped a slot wrist-shot past Tyler Johnson at 5:18. After Topeka had failed to score on their second power play, the Runners were able to regain the advantage at full strength with back-door snipe from Tyler Hayes (5) at 15:19. After Jeff Makowski had been called for tripping, Odessa made it two-for-two on the power play when Hampus Sjodahl (17) sniped a rebound top-shelf past Johnson at 17:28. Quinn Preston (9) gave Topeka the lead back when he snuck a break away through Shatzer’s five-hole after a Jacks turnover. Cooper Zech (4) responded for Odessa with less than a minute left in the second by jamming home his fourth of the year at 19:32 to tie it 3-3.
In the third, Topeka secured the sweep with three unanswered goals. First, Cam Strong gave the Runners the lead at 8:31, Yu Hikosaka (10) added another at 15:17 and Andrew Hart (7) put the lead out of reach at 17:41.
Dean Shatzer (4-10-2) took the loss allowing six goals on 39 shots. On the other end, Tyler Johnson (15-8-0) earned the win by making 24 saves on 27 shots. Odessa ended Sunday, 2-for-3 on the power play while going 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
The Jacks will look to end their six-game losing skid with a pair of games against the Amarillo Bulls at Amarillo Civic Center on Jan. 22-23. Odessa returns home on Jan. 29-30 as they welcome in the Lone Star Brahmas for two. On Jan 29, the first 500 fans will receive a Bud Light ice scrapper and on the Jan. 30 fans will receive a Jackalopes rally towel courtesy of Johnny Carino’s and Coca-Cola.
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.
Be sure to follow the Jackalopes on Twitter @LetsGoJacks all year long and don’t forget to ‘Like’ the official “Odessa Jackalopes” fan page on Facebook.
