Thinel and Plante make difference in a defensive showdown

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

From Odessa, Texas: The Odessa Jackalopes moved within one game of pulling off another magic act as they now lead the best-of-seven conference semifinals series' with the Texas Brahmas three games to two. The Jacks won a defensive duel at the Ector County Coliseum 2-1.

Should the Jackalopes win one of the next two games, they would for the second consecutive season erase a 2-0 series deficit losing both games on home ice and then coming back to winning the series.

The teams skated to a scoreless game all the way until the third period when Sebastien Thinel struck for his 4th goal of the series at the 5:32 mark of the final period. Philippe Plante made it 2-0 when he scored a power play goal at the 14:14 mark of the period.

Texas would score a late goal with an extra skater as Tyler Skworchinski scored his fifth goal of the post-season but that is as close as the Brahmas could get.

Both goaltenders were sharp in the game as Joe Palmer made 35 saves for the Brahmas starting his first game of the playoffs after getting action in relief in each of the last two games.

Juha Toivonen started his third straight game and earned his third straight win making 34 saves. His all-time post-season record improves to 10-1.

Game six is scheduled for Monday Night in Texas and Game 7 would be on Wednesday in Odessa if needed.


Odessa Jackalopes Lead Series 3-2


Game Boxscore

Odessa Jackalopes 2 Texas Brahmas 1 (0-0, 0-0, 1-2)

0-1 ODE: Sebastien Thinel (Pierce, Circelli) 5:32 3rd

0-2 ODE: Philippe Plante (PP) (Thinel, Leveille) 14:14 3rd

1-2 TEX: Tyler Skworchinski (EA) (Rouleau) 19:47 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: TEX 35 ODE 37

PP: TEX 0/3 ODE 1/8

PIM: TEX 23 Minutes on 10 Penalties ODE 13 Minutes on 5 Penalties

Goalies: TEX Joe Palmer 35 SVS on 37 Shots ODE Juha Toivonen 34 SVS on 35 Shots

ATT: 3278

3rd Star: Joe Palmer (TEX)

2nd Star: Sebastien Thinel (ODE)

1st Star: Juha Toivonen (ODE)