The Odessa Jackalopes got the better of the Topeka RoadRunners Thursday night.
Following a scoreless first period, Odessa (6-5-1) grabbed two second period goals, taking a 2-0 lead into the final frame.
Topeka (6-7-0), who was 0-for-5 on the powerplay Thursday, couldn’t beat goaltender Alex Camarre in the third period and surrendered an empty-net goal late, giving Odessa a 3-0 victory at the Eckor County Coliseum.
RoadRunners head coach Josh Kamrass said his team must learn from the mistakes made Thursday and bring a better effort Friday night.
“From the first drop of the puck, we were on our heels,” Kamrass said. “We didn’t bring our best game today, and it showed.”
One of the biggest components he said his team lacked Thursday was their level of competition.
“We preach competing and giving it one-hundred percent, and I’m not sure where that was, but we didn’t have it,” he said.
In the first, both teams had quality chances, with each team in double digits shots on goal, but Runners goaltender Emil Gransoe kept it scoreless, as did Camarre.
Gransoe ended the contest with 44 saves, while Camarre notched the shutout with 36 saves.
The two teams will play the second game of a three-game series Friday night, with Topeka looking to notch a victory in game two.
“We’ll look at the video, and we’ll get back to playing with our identity tomorrow night,” Kamrass said.