ODESSA, Texas – It was a clash of the titans in Odessa Friday night, with the powerful offense of the Jackalopes facing off against the big physical play of the Allen Americans, carrying the momentum of their come from behind series win against Laredo Wednesday night.
As in all great contests of this nature, it was a back and forth battle from the drop of the puck until the very last second. Fans of both teams look to be in for an exciting series.
The first two minutes of the opening period saw both teams feeling each other out, trading one shot on goal each. It didn’t take long for the first power play opportunity of the series as the American’s Colton Yellow Horn was called for hooking just 1:53 into the contest.
Odessa wasted no time in flexing their power play muscle as Sebastian Thinel found the back of the net on the Jacks second shot of the man-advantage, just 47 seconds into the power play.
Odessa began to take the body more as the period wore on and the Americans answered back with several big hits, the best one coming from Allen’s Bruce Graham who sent the Jacks Kenny Bernard sprawling to the ice. Odessa had a chance to increase their lead to two, but it was dashed when a breaking Brian Swiniarski was stopped by a brilliant diving poke check by Tyler Wooddisse, who turned on the afterburner’s and came out of nowhere to track down the Odessa forward.
As the physical pace picked up, the Americans were able to get some opportunities deep in the Jacks’ zone and with 4:16 left in the period the Americans would get the equalizer, as Jarret Lukin banged in a backhand past Odessa goaltender Joel Martin.
The physical play continued to increase which appeared to suit Allen fine but it cost them another player in the box when Brandon Straub was given the gate for roughing with 1:23 left in the period. Odessa attacked and Philippe Plante shoveled one past Chris Whitley with just 8 ticks remaining on the clock to once again give Odessa the lead 2-1.
The Americans came out in the second period rejuvenated and dominated Odessa in all aspects of play, out hitting, out shooting and eventually outscoring the Jackalopes.
The game was brought level when Nino Musitelli lit the lamp off his own rebound with a shot past Joel Martin with 7:28 remaining. The teams were playing four on four at the time, while Liam Huculak and Garrett Gruenke were serving matching minors for roughing.
Less than three minutes later, the Americans struck again, taking the lead when Lukin added his second tally of the evening. Odessa looked flatfooted throughout the period as the Americans continually took the body and the pucks, outshooting Odessa 12-4.
The final frame saw resurgence in the Jackalopes’ attack; they came out swinging with 4 shots on net in the opening minute of play. Allen’s Tyler Wooddisse was sent to the box for cross-checking and the Odessa power play looked to capitalize with another power play goal, but it wouldn’t work out exactly as planned for the Jacks.
The Americans shocked Odessa by breaking down the ice and defenseman Mike Salekin got his first and very timely goal of the playoffs shorthanded, giving Allen a two goal lead at the 7:22 mark.
Just 34 seconds later, while still on the power play, Odessa answered back and once again cut the lead to one when Mike Ramsey drilled a shot from the point past a partially screened Chris Whitley. The Jacks continued a frenzied pace through the last ten minutes of the game, firing 10 more shots at Whitley, who turned them all away. With a late penalty on Sebastian Thinel, the Jacks found themselves in a bad predicament, down a man and a goal.
Odessa was shorthanded for a short spell before being able to call Martin to the bench for the extra attacker, giving the teams an even five players per side on the ice. The last 10 seconds of the match saw Odessa working frantically to get shots on net where they managed two good chances but both were denied by Whitley and the Americans were able to hang on for the win as time expired.
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