Odessa Falls to Missouri in a Shootout, 4-3

(Independence, MO) – Despite a 4-3, shootout loss to the Missouri Mavericks on Saturday night, the Odessa Jackalopes picked up a point in the standings and clinched the top seed in the Southern Conference.

Odessa tied the game on goals from Jeff Pierce just 21 seconds into the third period and Sebastien Thinel at 8:57.

Neither team scored in the first period, but a pair of fights broke out in the first four seconds.  

The Mavericks took a 3-1 lead in the second period on goals from Toby LaFrance, Jeff Christian and Simon Watson.  Odessa's Mike Ramsay recorded a power play goal at 4:33. 

Odessa's record falls to 44-11-5 on the season.

Juha Toivonen took the shootout loss despite stopping 36 shots.

The Odessa Jackalopes are the Central Hockey League affiliate for the NHL’s New York Islanders and the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  The team is in the middle of their 13th season in the Permian Basin.  Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-PUCK. 

Follow the Jackalopes all year long on Facebook and Twitter -- Twitter.com/ODEJackalopes.