The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees tried their best to erase a four-goal deficit, but the Odessa Jackalopes would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 5-3.

A goal by Razmuz Waxin-Engback put Odessa up 5-1 in the third period, but Rio Grande Valley pulled to within two on Trent Dillinger's tally 19:04 into the third period.

Alex Alger had two goals to lead the Jackalopes to victory. Alger scored on the power play at 5:31 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Odessa and again while 17:01 into the second to make the score 3-1 Odessa.

Odessa's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on three Rio Grande Valley power plays. With 26 shots on target during the contest, the Jackalopes exceeded the 18.8 shots they average per game this year. Odessa's goal total was higher than its season average. This season, the Jackalopes average 2.1 goals per contest.

Odessa additionally got points from Waxin-Engback, who also finished with one goal and one assist, Leo Lumm, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, and Mathieu Briand, who also registered one goal and one assist. In addition, Odessa received assists from Chad Guderian, who had two, Rif Taff, who had three, and Tate Sykes and Cody Slocum, who each chipped in one.

The Killer Bees' penalty kill was ineffective, and let in two goals to Odessa's power play unit. Rio Grande Valley's normally stingy defense allowed more goals than usual. The Killer Bees average 2.4 goals allowed per game.

Rio Grande Valley also got points from Ben Greiner, who also tallied one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Evan Schmidbauer also scored for Rio Grande Valley. Other players who recorded assists for Rio Grande Valley were Anthony Croston, Tyler Bruneteau, and Nick Balboa, who contributed one a piece.

Eric Hancock recorded 22 saves for the Jackalopes. Odessa incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors. Nick Schmit took the loss and made 18 saves before being replaced by Olli Kalkaja who made three saves. Rio Grande Valley incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors.