ODESSA, TX — The Jackalopes had a hot start, but in the end they could not find an answer for Shreveport’s counter attack. The Odessa Jackalopes (7-8-2-0) fell to the Shreveport Mudbugs (11-2-1-1) by a score of 4-3 at the Ector County Coliseum on Saturday night.
The Jackalopes got on the board early, just 15 seconds in after a Joey Musa rush off the face-off. Musa wired a shot into the back of the net from the top of the left circle to make it 1-0 Jacks early.
Odessa followed this up with another goal just two minutes later, but the Mudbugs were able to get on the board just 13 seconds later and deflated the positive momentum the Jacks had built up early.
For most of the rest of the period, the Mudbugs sent shot after shot at new Jackalopes netminder Cooper Black, more then 20 before the first period ended, but Black kept the Jacks in front. They were also helped by a couple of favorable calls by the officials that overturned several would-be Shreveport goals.
Up 2-1 in the second period the Jackalopes scored a critical goal as Nick Siffringer deflected in a shot from the left half-boards. Siffringer’s goal marked the first of his Jackalopes career and put Odessa up 3-1. But the Mudbugs came roaring back thanks to a power play goal and a short-handed goal in the second period to tie the game up 3-3.
In the third period the Bugs continued to send shot after shot towards Black. After a while they finally found the go-ahead goal off a broken play at the base of the left left circle.
Down 4-3, the Jackalopes rallied and mounted a furious comeback effort, one that included several close in chances including a shot from the slot by forward Mike Manzo in the waning seconds. Unfortunately for the Jacks Manzo’s shot was high and the Jackalopes were forced to concede the second straight contest to Shreveport. Cooper Black made 41 saves in his Jackalopes debut and gave his team a chance to win throughout.
Odessa will regroup before they start a three-week road strand starting with a two game road series against the New Mexico Ice Wolves on January 10 and 11.
Photo Credit: Danne´ Braden Photography
