Corpus Christi, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes (5-2-0-0) won their fifth straight game of the young season 5-3 as they took out the Corpus Christi IceRays (1-5-0-2) at the American Bank Center in the weekend finale.
Evan Rochowiak and Evan Somoza each netted two goals in the game, as Petr Miko found the back of the net for his 3rd of the season, while Brett Epp (3-2-0) put up another great start, turning away 30. With the victory, the Jackalopes were able to pull into sole possession of 2nd place.
It didn’t take the Jacks long as only 78 seconds into regulation, Viktor Johansson found Rochowiak on a backhand for the one-timer from a knee past Corpus Christi’s Cam Burggrabe for the 1-0 lead.
Corpus Christi got one back when Aleksi Peltonen was able to find the back of the net beyond Epp at the 5:59 mark. Peltonen was left alone between the circles and beat Epp to the far post to tie the game.
Odessa held their own through the end of the period and finished on top as Miko netted his third of the season just over six minutes later. The play started when Viktor Johansson dove to knock a puck to an open Miko. With plenty of space and speed, Miko fired one past the blocker of Burrgrabe for the game-winning goal at only 12:02 of the first period.
Within a span of 3 minutes and 33 seconds, Evan Somoza netted two goals to sandwich the IceRays’ lone goal of the third. Somoza sniped the first one through traffic on the power play before his second one came off a rebound from a Zach Heintz slapper from the left circle.
Corpus Christi’s Noah Roofe brought the IceRays back within one with only 5:04 remaining in regulation as he fired one top shelf past Epp. The IceRays pulled their goaltender with less than a minute and a half left, but it was too much.
Rochowiak would net one more on an empty netter with 23 seconds remaining for his second of the game to seal the deal in favor of Odessa, 5-3. The Jackalopes penalty kill finished the night a perfect 5-5, while the power play netted one on 6 attempts.
Burggrabe (1-3-1) made 29 saves on the evening, but took his second loss in as many days to the Jackalopes.
Odessa and Corpus Christi each fired 33 shots towards the net.
The Jackalopes get a full week of practice before they open their home season next Friday and Saturday at home against the 1st place Shreveport Mudbugs. You also get a chance to Meet the Team on Tuesday, October 3rd at the Coliseum beginning at 6 pm.
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 log 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.
