Jeff Pierce's OT Winner Ties Southern Conference Final at 1-1

Getting out-shot 19-5 in the first period was almost no problem for the Allen Americans as the Americans were looking to make it a 2-0 series advantage going into the 3 games in Allen which start later this week.

After a 2-1 lead for Odessa, both teams were able to get in trouble on the special teams as a combined 25 penalties in the game was resulted in 15 power plays. However, just 2 power play goals were scored as strong goaltender and defense's that were afraid at times to attack that much as the game continued to be 2-1 Jackalopes heading into the 3rd period.

An early 3rd period goal by Liam Huculak put the game tied at 2-2 giving the Americans some hope and the momentum going into the rest of the 3rd period. After that, neither side was able to gain an advantage that could have ended the game in regulation time.

Then midway through the OT came a dagger for Allen as Americans defensemen Mike Salekin committed a 10 minute Unsportsmanlike conduct penalty where Odessa's Jeff Pierce scored the game winner with 3:17 left in the OT Period to tie the series at 1-1 with Game 3 coming up coming up on Wednesday Night at the Allen Event Center.

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

Jeff Pierce's wrist shot from the top of the left circle beat Chris Whitley and tied the Southern Conference Finals at 1-1 as the Odessa Jackalopes beat the Allen Americans, 3-2, in OT on Saturday Night at the Ector County Coliseum.

Sebastien Thinel had the assist on Pierce's game-winner with a cross-ice pass from the right wing side. The goal was Pierce's 5th of the post-season.

Whitley did everything possible in net for the Americans to try and win the game as he made 42 saves in the game. Odessa's Joel Martin was 29 of 31.

After a scoreless 2nd period, Liam Huclak tied the game for Allen at 2-2 with just under 3 minutes into the third period to force OT.

Whitley kept it a close first period as he stopped 17 of Odessa's 19 shots in the opening frame. The Jackalopes started the game's scoring at 7:40 when Jean Bourbeau put a wrist shot in the top corner after an American's turnover in their own zone. Justin Bowers tied the game on the power play three minutes later deflecting a shot from the point. Odessa then regained the lead on a power play from Kenny Benard at 15:58.

The Overtime was Odessa's 2nd of the playoffs. The other coming in the series clincher against the Texas Brahmas. The Series now shifts to the Allen Event Center where Games 3, 4, and 5 will be played.


Series Tied 1-1


Game Boxscore

@ Ector County Coliseum

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

0-1 ODE: Jean Bourbeau (Unassisted) 7:40 1st

1-1 ALN: Justin Bowers (PP) (Woddisse, Fairbarn) 10:46 1st

1-2 ODE: Kenny Bernard (PP) (Leveille, Karlander) 15:58 1st

2-2 ALN: Liam Huculak (Unassisted) 2:54 3rd

2-3 ODE: Jeff Pierce (Thinel, Van Drunen) 16:43 OT


Game Stats

PP: ALN 1/8 ODE 1/7

SOG: ALN 31 ODE 45

PIM: ALN 39 Minutes on 14 Penalties ODE 25 Minutes on 11 Penalties

Goalies: ALN Chris Whitley 42 SVS on 45 Shots ODE Joel Martin 29 SVS on 31 Shots

ATT: 3000

3rd Star: Chris Whitley (ALN)

2nd Star: Kenny Bernard (ODE)

1st Star: Jeff Pierce (ODE)