Garrett Gruenke's goal in OT sends Allen VS. Odessa Series to Game 7

It took OT and in the end of last night's game saw that a game 7 is needed in the CHL Southern Conference Final as a back and Fourth game that saw it tied at both 2-2 and 3-3 at the 2nd & 3rd intermission's probably meant that it would be a close game.

Despite getting out-shot 13-7 in the 3rd period and in the OT Period, the Jackalopes made their shots count with a critical goal with just 3 minutes left to force OT and to keep the Americans from celebrating a Southern Conference Title on their home ice.

Game 7 is on Wednesday Night where the Southern Conference Champion will be crowned at the Ector County Civic Center Arena. Odessa is looking to advance after getting eliminated in last year's Southern Conference Final by the Texas Brahmas.

From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

From Odessa, Texas: Garrett Gruenke's one-timer in the left circle gave the Odessa Jackalopes a 4-3 overtime winner over the Allen Americans on Monday Night at the Ector County Coliseum to tie the Southern Conference Final and force a deciding game 7 in Odessa on Wednesday Night.

The Overtime winner was Odessa's 2nd of the series, and Gruenke's 2nd goal of the playoffs. Sebastien Thinel put a pass from behind the net onto Gruenke's stick, who placed it inside the right post.

After skating to a scoreless first period, both teams traded a pair of goals in the 2nd period. Dominic Leveille opened up the scoring at 3:41 wristing a power play goal past Chris Whitley from the top of the right circle. Jeff Pierce picked up an assist on the goal to extend his point streak to 11 games. Allen took a 2-1 lead on a pair of goals from Matt Radslovich and Bruce Graham. Sebastien Thinel knotted the game at 2-2 on a breakaway from a David Van Drunen assist.

Allen took a 3-2 lead in period three when Nino Musitelli tapped a rebound out of the air and in the net at 15:02. Odessa Phil Plante tied the game back up at 17:04 on a feed from Dominic Leveille from behind the net.


Series Tied at 3-3


Game Boxscore

Allen Americans 3 Odessa Jackalopes 4 (OT) (0-0, 2-2, 1-1, 0-1)

0-1 ODE: Dominic Leveille (PP) (Pierce, Ramsay) 3:41 2nd

1-1 ALN: Matt Radoslovich (Huclak, Lukin) 6:31 2nd

2-1 ALN: Bruce Graham (Bowers, Salekin) 9:21 2nd

2-2 ODE: Sebastien Thinel (Van Drunen) 15:20 2nd

3-2 ALN: Nino Musitelli (Gaudet, Salekin) 15:02 3rd

3-3 ODE: Philippe Plante (Leveille, Bernard) 17:04 3rd

3-4 ODE: Garrett Gruenke (Thinel, Circelli) 6:53 OT


Game Stats

PP: ALN 0/2 ODE 1/4

SOG: ALN 34 ODE 33

PIM: ALN 28 Minutes on 6 Penalties ODE 4 Minutes on 2 Penalties

Goalies: ALN Chris Whitley 29 SVS on 33 Shots ODE Joel Martin 31 SVS on 34 Shots

ATT: 2939

3rd Star: Dominic Leveille (ODE)

2nd Star: Sebastien Thinel (ODE)

1st Star: Garrett Gruenke (ODE)