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NAHL Odessa Jackalopes

Jacks Shutout by Amarillo, 8-0

April 15, 2023 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release


Last night the Jacks hosted the Amarillo Wranglers to kick off the final regular season weekend. Both teams were still fighting for the final playoff spot in the South. Odessa needed to win both games in regulation and all Amarillo needed was a win and a New Mexico loss. Both teams entered the game on a winning streak.

Odessa started off the opening period controlling much of the pace. They kept applying pressure onto Connor McDonough, but he denied all 12 of Odessa's shots. Amarillo only produced nine shots in the opening period but was able to get one past Greg Orosz. It came at the 10:53 mark and was scored by Ronan Walsh (16). The first period would end with Amarillo leading 1-0.

The Wranglers came out aggressive in the middle frame and were able to increase their lead just 20 seconds into the period. Their second goal was scored by their captain, Chase Davis (19). About five minutes later and the Wranglers were once again on the scoresheet. This time it was Zack Kent (7) beating Orosz. In the final minutes of the period, Ben Ivey (16) scored a power-play goal to give Amarillo a 4-0 lead heading into the second intermission. The Wranglers were leading in shots, 21-17.

Shortly into the final period, Odessa would go onto the man advantage, however, Amarillo would notch a short-handed goal. The goal was scored by Blake Farrell (5) while on a breakaway. With Odessa being down 5-0 and needing to win in regulation they pulled Orosz a total of three times and the Wranglers scored every time. One even came while the Jacks had a powerplay resulting in the second short-handed goal of the game for Amarillo. The final horn sounded to give Amarillo an 8-0 win. Marking their eighth-straight win and fourth-straight shutout. Both teams finished with 26 shots. Odessa went 0/5 on the powerplay and Amarillo went 1/5. It is the second time this season that the Wranglers have shutout the Jacks.

Even though Odessa was shutout, New Mexico beat Oklahoma which would have knocked the Jacks out of playoff contention anyway. It does mean though that Amarillo is still not locked into the final playoff spot and Odessa can get redemption from last night and play spoiler by beating the Wranglers. New Mexico has to beat Oklahoma again and Amarillo must lose in order for the Ice Wolves to clinch the final playoff spot. Head Coach Scott Deur had this to say following the loss, "It was a tough one tonight. I thought we came out in the first period and controlled the pace of play. A couple of unfortunate bounces in the second period and before you know it, you're in a deficit. We pulled the goalie because we needed to win in regulation, but they were able to continue to convert on the empty net." The final game of the season for Odessa is tonight at 7:15 p.m. CDT.

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