Americans drop Game Five 6-3 to Odessa, still lead series 3-2
ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans lost 6-3 tonight to the Odessa Jackalopes in front of a packed house at the Allen Event Center. The Americans still lead the Southern Conference Finals best-of-seven series 3-2.
Defenseman Dave Van Drunen gave Odessa a 1-0 lead 3:23 into the game, but the Americans tied it nearly eight minutes later. Defenseman Brandon Straub threw the puck on net, and an unguarded Bruce Graham was able to put the rebound in the cage. Then, 2010 CHL All-Star Justin Bowers snuck a wrister past Joel Martin before being crosschecked in the face by Odessa’s captain, Kory Karlander. No call was made, and Karlander went on to knot the game at two with 5:06 remaining in the period before Mike Ramsay scored on the power play to put the Jackalopes on top again, 3-2.
Ramsay netted another power play goal at 9:45 of the middle frame to give Odessa a 4-2 cushion. With 35 seconds left in the period, Bowers redirected Jordie Benn’s shot from the blue line with 35 seconds on the clock in the second period to bring the Americans within one.
Jackalopes’ forward Mike Lesperance gave Odessa a 5-3 advantage with 6:18 remaining in the third period. Allen called a timeout with 2:09 left. With Jarret Lukin and Alex Dunn in the box, it was four-on-four. The Americans returned from the timeout with an empty net and the extra attacker on the ice. Sebastien Thinel popped one in to bring the final score to 6-3.
The Americans will play Game Six Monday in Odessa at 7:05 p.m. Game Seven will be Wednesday in Odessa if necessary.
The box score is available on Pointstreak.com.
Southern Conference Finals
Allen Americans (2) vs. Odessa Jackalopes (1)
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 9 – Allen 4 @ Odessa 3 (Allen leads 1-0)
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 10 – Allen 2 @ Odessa 3 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 14 – Allen 5 vs. Odessa 2 (Allen leads 2-1)
Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 16 – Allen 6 vs. Odessa 4 (Allen leads 3-1)
Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 17 – Allen 3 vs. Odessa 6 (Allen leads 3-2)
Game 6 – Mon., Apr. 19 – Allen @ Odessa, 7:05
*Game 7 – Wed., Apr. 21 – Allen @ Odessa, 7:05
*If necessary
Photo by Amy Gutierrez.
