Jarrett Lukin leads Allen in back and fourth game to win Game 1

Jarret Lukin had a huge night as the Americans had to fight both fatigue from the short turnaround after the Laredo Series and the league's best team in the Jackalopes to steal the Conference Finals opener to stun the Jackalopes and to grab an early series lead.

They looking to prove that the Americans strong defense can keep the Jackalopes strong offense under control in what should be a great series for the Southern Conference Championship.

Other players that are looking to explode like Cotton Yellow Horn adn Nino Musitelli also had huge nights in the victory. Odessa is going to feel the pressure as for the 2nd time in these playoffs, they will go into game 2 with a 1-0 deficit. They did it against the Brahmas, can they do it against the Americans as well in a strong start to this series.

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

The Allen Americans grabbed home ice and the series advantage versus the Odessa Jackalopes on Friday Night with a 4-3 victory at the Ector County Coliseum in Game one of the Southern Conference Final.

Jarrett Lukin had 2 goals and an assist and Mike Sellan's third period shorthanded goal proved to be the game winner.

The Jacks seemed to be carrying over the momentum they built by winning 4 straight games over the Texas Brahmas in the Conference Semifinals by grabbing the early series lead with a Sebastien Thinel power play goal at the 2:40 mark, his sixth goal of the post-season.

The teams exchanged goals before the end of the period with Lukin scoring his first of two on the night at the 15:44 mark tying the game at 1-1 but Odessa would once again grab momentum with Phillippe Plante scoring another power play goal with just 8 seconds remaining in the period.

The 2nd period belonged to the Americans who scored twice taking a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes. Nino Musitelli tied the game at the 12:32 mark scoring for the third straight game and his fifth goal of the playoffs. Lukin would give his team the lead for good about three minutes later with Musitelli earning his 2nd point of the night on the assist.

In the third period, Salekin grabbed the only two goal lead of the net for either team with his shorthanded goal at 7:22; assisted by Lukin.

Mike Ramsay scored on a 3rd period power play goal just over 30 seconds later making the two-goal cushion short-lived and gave his club a chance but Allen goaltender Chris Whitley put on a show by stopping 17 of 18 and finished the game with 34 saves, good for his fifth win of the playoffs.

Odessa's Joel Martin made 26 saves but took the loss falling to 3-1 in the playoffs. Odessa finished 3/7 on the power play while Allen went scoreless in five chances.

Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday Night in Odessa.


Allen Leads Series 1-0


Game Boxscore


@ Ector County Coliseum

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

0-1 ODE: Sebastien Thinel (PP) (Pierce, Circelli) 2:40 1st

1-1 ALN: Jarrett Lukin (Yellow Horn, Adams) 15:44 1st

1-2 ODE: Philippe Plante (PP) (Leveille, Karlander) 19:52 1st

2-2 ALN: Nino Musitelli (Adams, Benn) 12:32 2nd

3-2 ALN: Jarrett Lukin (Musitelli) 15:15 2nd

4-2 ALN: Mike Salekin (SH) (Lukin) 7:22 3rd

4-3 ODE: Mike Ramsay (PP) (Leveille, Karlander) 7:56 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: ALN 30 ODE 38

PP: ALN 0/5 ODE 3/7

PIM: ALN 16 Minutes on 8 Penalties ODE 12 Minutes on 6 Penalties

Goalies: ALN Chris Whitley 35 SVS on 38 Shots ODE Joel Martin 26 SVS on 30 Shots

ATT: 3217

3rd Star: Dominic Leveille (ODE)

2nd Star: Nino Musitelli (ALN)

1st Star: Jarrett Lukin (ALN)