Wednesday Scores: Texas closes gap in South with shootout win

Odessa 3 @ Texas 4 (SO) – On a Wednesday night the Texas Tornado picked up a 4-3 shootout victory over the Odessa Jackalopes at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco . Both teams got their share of shots on goal, but Joakim Jutras stopped 25 of 28 shots in the victory. With the win, Texas is four points behind Amarillo, who lost to Wichita Falls in overtime, for the lead in the South Division.  Fans did not have to wait long to see the first goal of the game, with Jack Prince picking up the opening marker just 38 seconds into the game. Prince stuffed a wrap-around inside the far post past goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Odessa tied the score on a goal from their captain, Sheldon Taylor. Taylor received a pass from Tyler Poulsen and fired it past Jutras from the left-wing circle at the 4:10 mark of the first period.  With the teams still deadlocked at 1-1, Odessa looked to break out of its own zone. Taylor’s pass towards neutral zone re-directed off a skate and headed right to Drew Allen in the slot. Allen fought off a defenseman, then deked to his forehand and beat Hellebuyck to break the 1-1 tie. Texas took its lead to the third period, then extended it at 4:19 of the period on a goal by CJ Reuschlein. Reuschlein trailed the play as Marc Biggs broke into the zone, dropped a pass to Reuschlein, who unleashed a wrist shot that beat Hellebuyck to give Texas a 3-1 lead.  The third period goal was not enough to put the Jackalopes away, however. First, it was Taylor who drew Odessa within one with his second goal of the game. Curt Rau took a wrist shot from the blue line that Taylor redirected in the slot to beat Jutras and make it 3-2. Later in the period, Jalen Krogman centered a beautiful pass from behind the net to find Jackalopes leading goal scorer Willie Faust to tie the score at 3.  The teams remained tied through regulation and skated to a scoreless overtime, but Prince picked up the lone shootout goal on Wednesday to seal the win for Texas. Boxscore

Dawson Creek 3 @ Alaska 4 – The Avalanche swept a three-game set from the Rage with another win on Wednesday, which also gave them a four point lead in the West Division.  Evan Janssen scored twice including the game-winning goal in the 3rd period for the Avs.  Boxscore

Aberdeen 2 @ Bismarck 4 – Bismarck posted their 18th win of the season despite two goals from Steve Obarzanek.  The Bobcats scored three times in the 3rd period and got multi-point nights from Adam Knochenmus, Dan Zawacki and Frank DeAugstine.  Boxscore

Chicago 1 @ Janesville 4 – John Olen had a hat-trick, scoring the first three goals for the Jets as they kept pace with St. Louis in the Midwest Division with a 4-1 win over Chicago, handing the Hitmen their eighth straight loss.  Jordan Bancroft had the other goal for Janesville.  Boxscore

Alexandria 4 @ Coulee Region 0 – Goaltender Jacob Meyers recorded his 3rd shutout of the season, including his second in his last three starts as the Blizzard blanked the Chill.  Tucker Coborn had the game-winning goal and an assist for Alexandria, who now sit alone in 2nd place in the Central. Boxscore

Wichita Falls 4 @ Amarillo 3 (OT) – 51 saves from Matt Leon was the difference as the Wildcats fought off a comeback by the Bulls and got the game-winning goal in overtime from University of Vermont recruit Dennis Kravchenko.  Tanner Fahlstedt had a goal and assist in the Wildcats win. Boxscore

Michigan 3 @ Traverse City 4 – Mitchell Snider scored twice and Eric Rivard and Jared Van Wormer both added two points as the North Stars handed the Warriors their 11th loss in their last 12 games.  With the win Traverse City moved into a tie for 3rd in the North with Michigan. Boxscore