LOVELAND, Colo. – The Odessa Jackalopes defeated the Colorado Eagles, 4-3, in the first game of a weekend set at the Budweiser Events Center. The win was just Odessa’s second all-time in Loveland — after picking up their first in their last visit — and their first victory in regulation. The Jackalopes’ power play went 2-for-6 on the night, while Colorado’s went 1-for-8.
The teams played a tightly-contested opening period with the Eagles edging the Jackalopes in shots, 16-15. But Odessa scored the period’s lone goal on one of their two power plays, while Colorado went 0-for-4 on the man-advantage. The Jacks’ goal came at 13:47 when Todd Robinson sent a point shot through a screen and into the back of the net behind Andrew Penner.
Special teams continued to be the theme of the second period. Odessa made it 2-0 just 31 seconds in with a shorthanded score when Sebastien Thinel stripped the puck from Aaron Schneekloth and sent Kenny Corupe on a breakaway for a 5-hole goal.
The Eagles cut that lead in half at 2:05 when Riley Nelson’s centering pass from below the goal line made its way to the high slot where Kip Workman collected it and took his time before picking his spot for a shot past Michel Robinson.
Penner continued to keep the Eagles in the game with several strong saves 15 minutes into the middle frame, but at 17:31, Odessa’s potent power play struck again. Robinson picked up his second power-play tally of the night — through another screen — with a pin-point shot into the upper right corner of the cage from high in the left circle, giving the Jacks a 3-1 lead heading into the third period.
Colorado trimmed Odessa’s lead to 1 once more with their only man-advantage marker of the evening when Adam Hogg deflected a Steve Haddon shot from the doorstep 3:27 into the third. But the Jacks were able to counter just 35 seconds later to re-gain a 2-goal cushion when Alex Dunn knocked home a loose puck from the low slot off a Dominic Leveille feed from below the goal line.
The Eagles kept generating chances, however Lady Luck was not on their side as they hit two posts on a power play minutes later, and another at the 15 minute mark. Nelson, though, was able to cut Odessa’s lead down again at 16:39 by following his own rebound and beating the Jacks’ goalie from the low slot.
Penner continued to make timely saves as his team tried to tie the game, but after making a final stop on a Leveille breakaway with 1:30 left, he headed to the bench for an extra attacker that would prove fruitless for the Eagles.
[1]- Daymen Rycroft's opening period shot comes up short. / Photo by Michael Kalush