ODESSA, Texas – The Oklahoma Warriors, proud members of the North American Hockey League, defeated the Odessa Jackalopes 5-4 on Friday night, putting an end to the Jackalopes’ six-game win streak.
Jackson Hone wired home a shot from the right-side faceoff dot, created by Olivier Laverdière, putting the Warriors up 1-0, just 51 seconds into the game. Keeping the momentum, Jack Dunne added a tally from the bottom of the right circle at 8:03, extending the Warriors’ lead to 2-0. Exactly a minute later, Jeremy Sprung notched his first as a Warrior off a dish from Ben Osiashvili, making it 3-0 at 7:03. Hunter Toms put Odessa on the board at 5:58, set up by Max Donatelli, rounding out the first period scoring 3-1.
Olivier Laverdière added a goal of his own at 12:18, regaining the Warriors’ three-goal lead to make it 4-1. Bjorn Bahneman sparked the second period surge for the Jackalopes at 11:14, off of an assist from Ryan Staples to make it 4-2. Max Donatelli banged home a loose rebound on a net-front scramble at 9:01, bringing the game within one to make it 4-3. Kaid Pawlanta tied the game, on a play set up by Max Pieninkeroinen, making it 4-4 through two periods of play.
Jackson Hone logged the lone third period goal, set up by Dallas Jackson at 10:29, securing the 5-4 final.
Jakob Hanlan stopped 32-of-36 shots faced in the Warriors win. Benjamin Vatis stopped 1-of-4, and Cody Niesen stopped 22-of-24 in the Jackalopes effort.
Oklahoma and Odessa will square off again tomorrow night for the final game of the weekend series. Puck drop from Ector County Coliseum is set for 6 p.m. CST, with the game being broadcast on NATV.
