Central Hockey League: Jackalopes clinch home ice for the playoffs

LAREDO Dominic Leveille and Sebastien Thinel each scored shootout goals, with Leveille’s proving to be the game winner as the Odessa Jackalopes defeated the Laredo Bucks 4-3 on Wednesday night at the Laredo Energy Center.

The victory improved Odessa to 46-11-5 and clinches the Governors’ Cup for the best regular-season record in the Central Hockey League, with two games remaining to play, and gives the Jackalopes home-ice advantage throughout the Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup playoffs.

Jackalopes goaltender Joel Martin, who earlier in the day was named the goaltender for the 2009-10 All-CHL team, stopped all four shooters he faced in the extra session, after making 27 saves during regulation and overtime.

Brian Swiniarski scored a pair of goals for the Jackalopes, his second at 2:13 of the third period tying the game 3-3. Philippe Plante also scored for Odessa, with Mike Ramsay finishing with a pair of assists.