Huge 3rd Period keeps Odessa Alive for Game 6

Another very wild and crazy game ended up positive for the Odessa Jackalopes as the Jackalopes helping them stay alive in the Southern Conference Final. And forcing Games 6 & 7 in West Texas, that will give them an improved chance of coming back from 3-1 down to win the series and advance to the CHL Presidents Cup Championship.

In Game 4, it was the 2nd period that had the wild action, it was the first period in this game as 4 goals were scored in less then 5 minutes to go from a 1-0 to a 3-2 Odessa Lead late in the 1st period.

Both teams had a a lot of SOG as both teams had double digit SOG in all 3 periods as the shots ended 41-36 in favor of Allen.

Offensively for Odessa was Sebasiten Thinel who had a 4 point night (1G 3A). But his only goal came in the final seconds to put the game away with just 28 seconds left. He was dangerous in all aspects of the game as his 3rd assist came on Mike Lesperance's goal that made it 5-3 Jackalopes with 6 minutes left in the game.

Despite the loss, Justin Bowers still had a big night as he was involved on all 3 goals that the Americans scored. This takes his total to 20 points during the playoffs (8G 12A). Fellow Americans teammate Bruce Graham scored the other goal in the game taking him to 5 goals for this year's playoffs.

The scene now shifts for Odessa for Games 6 & 7 as the Jackalopes will look to defend Home Ice coming up tonight and Wednesday where the Southern Conference Champion will be crowned.

Can the Jackalopes avoid going out in the Conference Final for the 2nd straight year?

Or can the Americans get to the Championship Series in their first season. And represent the D/FW Area in the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Championship Series for the 2nd straight year after the Texas Brahmas won it last year?

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

From Allen, Texas: Joel Martin stopped 38 saves as the Odessa Jackalopes kept their playoff run alive with a 6-3 win, game five over the Allen Americans on Saturday Night at the Allen Event Center. Odessa now trails the Southern Conference Final best-of-7 series 3-2.

It was an offensive first period as the two teams combined for five goals. Dave Van Druen, Kory Karlander, and Mike Ramsay each scored for Odessa while Allen received goals from Justin Bowers and Bruce Graham.

Odessa took a 4-2 lead on Ramsay's 2nd power play goal of the game at 9:45 of the 2nd period. Ramsay tapped in a rebound from Paul Bradley's shot from the top of the circles. The Americans closed the gap back to one as Bowers deflected a Jordie Benn shot from the point past Joel Martin just 35 seconds left in the frame. Odessa held a 4-3 lead after two periods.

The Jackalopes added a pair of third period goals from Mike Lesperance and Sebastien Thinel to seal the game. Thinel's was an empty netter.


Allen Americans Lead Series 3-2

Game Boxscore


Odessa Jackalopes 6 Allen Americans 3 (3-2, 1-1, 2-0)

1-0 ODE: Dave Van Drunen (Circelli, Thinel) 3:23 1st

1-1 ALN: Bruce Graham (Straub, Bowers) 10:59 1st

1-2 ALN: Justin Bowers (Fairbarn) 12:31 1st

2-2 ODE: Kory Karlander (Bourbeau, Dunn) 14:54 1st

3-2 ODE: Mike Ramsay (PP) (Thinel, Plante) 15:14 1st

4-2 ODE: Mike Ramsay (PP) (Bradley, Leveille) 9:45 2nd

4-3 ALN: Justin Bowers (Benn, Musitelli) 19:25 2nd

5-3 ODE: Mike Lesperance (Thinel, Pierce) 13:42 3rd

6-3 ODE: Sebastien Thinel (EN) (Unassisted) 19:32 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: ODE 36 ALN 41

PP: ODE 2/6 ALN 0/5

PIM: ODE 14 Minutes on 7 Penalties ALN 36 Minutes on 10 Penalties

Goalies: ODE Joel Martin 38 SVS on 41 Shots ALN Chris Whitley 30 SVS on 36 Shots

ATT: 4919

3rd Star: Joel Martin (ODE)

2nd Star: Justin Bowers (ALN)

1st Star: Mike Ramsay (ODE)