FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, December 12, 2014
SJODAHL SCORES IN JACKS 5-1 LOSS TO BRAHMAS
Brahmas strike on two of five power play opportunities to separate themselves from the Jackalopes
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX – Coming into tonight’s action, the Jacks were looking to get back on track after a tough month of November and early December. Coming off of two defeats to Amarillo, the Jackalopes were presented with the challenge of playing, statistically speaking, the best home team in the NAHL, the Lone Star Brahmas.
The Jacks withstood a Brahma barrage in the first period. Robin Johansson made stellar stops in the period, keeping the game scoreless. The Jackalopes did not spend much time in the offensive zone, forcing the defense and Johansson to sparkle. Shots on goal were 12-3 in favor of the Brahmas at the end of the first, but the score was knotted at zeros.
In period two, the Jacks got off to a good start, but could not solve Brahmas goaltender TJ Black. One second after the Jackalopes killed off a Andrew McLean penalty, Alexey Solovyev scored on a slap shot from the left point for his fifth goal of the season to put the Brahmas ahead. At 15:34, AJ Vanderbeck forced a turnover in the Jacks zone and went hard to the net. Eric Carreras shot the puck from the right circle beating Johansson to his stick side. It appeared that in the process of going hard to the net, Vanderbeck bumped Johansson, not allowing him to play his position, but no call was made on the ice and the Brahmas took a 2-0 lead. Late in the period, the Jacks were awarded a power play opportunity and Hampus Sjodahl made good on it scoring off a carom off the back boards to pull the Jacks within one goal at 18:02. The Brahmas held a 2-1 advantage heading into the final frame.
The Brahmas Oskar Andren put the Brahmas up by two goals again nearly five minutes into the third period from a shot in the high slot area. When Tim Faulkner was called for slashing at 8:09, AJ Vanderbeck scored off a one-timed shot from the left circle to put the Brahmas up 4-1. From there, things got a little chippy, resulting in fisticuffs between Jackalopes forward Tyler Nabozny and Brahma Roman Uchyn, as well as, the Jacks Jake Hamilton and the Brahmas Caleb Thompson. When Jacks D-man Chris Javens was shown the gate for boarding, Anton Santesson scored on a wrist shot with a slew of bodies in front of the net. The Brahmas took the contest by a score of 5-1.
The Jackalopes will try to split the series tomorrow night at the NYTEX Centre. Joey Battaino has the call of all the action at 7:15 pm CST on Classic Rock 102.1 FM KFZX and FASTHockey.com.
In 2014-15, the Odessa Jackalopes will embark upon their fourth season in the North American Hockey League and 18th 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.
— ODESSA JACKALOPES —
