Albuquerque, NM- The Ice Wolves welcomed the Odessa Jackalopes inside the Outpost Ice Arenas for two games this weekend in what was sure to be a tough test between the top two teams in the division based on winning percentage.
It was the Owen Parker show on Friday night as he made 28 saves on 29 shots. The only goal Parker would allow was a power play goal to Justin Hughes just past the midway point of the first period.
Brandon Holt would lead the charge back in the third period tie the game at 1, this being Holt’s official first goal of the season. The top two teams looked like they were headed to overtime which would’ve been the Ice Wolves third straight game to go beyond 60 minutes. Only for Nicloas Haviar to get a goal in his second straight game and give the Ice Wolves their first lead with just 42 seconds. New Mexico was able to lock down Odessa and not allow them to get set up in the attacking zone and the Ice Wolves took Friday nights contest 2-1.
Saturday night head coach Phil Fox looked to rookie Ben Behrens to lead the way and he would do just that. Making a season high 15 save first period and also a season high 36 save game for the young netminder.
Will Howard would grab the game’s first and only goal in the first period thanks to a nice pass from Dillan Bentley. Christopher Duclair would tie the game with the only goal in the second period. For the second straight night it was a captain leading the way when Dillan Bentley would get 2 goals just 4:17 apart from each other and give the Ice Wolves a 2 goal lead. John Perdion would bring the Jackalopes back within one on the powerplay. Only 1:04 after the powerplay goal Emerson Goode would finish off a 2 on 1 attack and tie the game at 3. No last minute heroics from either side sent this contest to overtime New Mexico’s third in their last four games all at home. Christopher Duclair would find the back of the net just two minutes into overtime and earn the Jackalopes a weekend split. However due to the game going to overtime the Ice Wolves do earn a point and will take three of a possible four points from Odessa this weekend.
The Ice Wolves find themselves in third place of the South Division with 15 points through 10 games and tied with first place Amarillo with a .750 winning percentage. The opponent next week, Wichita Falls Warriors, sit right behind New Mexico in fourth place with 13 points through 12 games played and a .542 winning percentage.
The Ice Wolves return home next weekend October 29 and October 30 when they take on the Wichita Falls Warriors. Tickets are available at tickets.nmicewolves.com or you can call 505-856-7595 and ask for Kara.