Odessa, TX – The Wichita Falls Warriors (27-17-1-6) gained two more crucial points on the road against the Odessa Jackalopes (12-32-4-3). In another thrilling game, the road Warriors came through in overtime with another 3-2 victory.
In a game that started fast and physical, it began with an abundance of shots and offensive opportunity from the Jackalopes. With it being the last game at the Ector County Coliseum this season for the Jacks they came out fighting. The Jacks would enter the offensive zone midway through the first period and would get their first goal of the game by Gabe Bennett (7) assisted by Charlie Banquier (5) as they net was coming off the pegs the puck just crossed the line before doing so to give the Jacks a 1-0 lead after the first period.
As the second period began, the Jackalopes would take three penalties but the Warriors would not be able to capitalize on either of the man advantages. Amidst all of the Jackalopes penalties, the Jacks would get another goal in the second period and take a 2-0 lead. The goal was scored by Joey Musa (9) who had scored goals in back to back nights. The momentum was the way of the Jacks after the first forty minutes of hockey. As the game approached the third period it was crunch time for the Warriors.
In the third period the Jackalopes would take two more penalties but the Warriors were unable to capitalize on either chance. Just when Owen Bartoszkiewicz was pulled from the net to give the Warriors the man advantage, the Jackalopes missed the net as the puck hit the side of the net as the puck moved the other way and with just 3:30 left in the third period, the Warriors would cut the deficit to 2-1 off of a goal from Nick Lanigan (10). Twenty eight seconds later Drake Usher (8) would hammer the one time shot from Joseph Harguindeguy (17)from the blue line to tie the game at 2-2. As regulation ended once again the game would head to overtime.
In the Overtime frame the Jackalopes would take a bench penalty and this time the Warriors didn’t miss. With just two and a half minutes left to go in the overtime period William Lawson-Body (5) would hammer home the game winning goal and the Warriors would once again win by a score of 3-2. In a thrilling victory, the Warriors were able to make the comeback and take a crucial four points as they moved into third place in the South Division.
Owen Bartoszkiewicz (21-12-1-3) recorded the win for Wichita Falls. He recorded 28 saves on 30 shots faced. Connor Hasley (6-17-3-1) recorded the loss for Odessa. He recorded 21 saves on 24 shots faced.
