Odessa Jackalopes (15-15-0-1, 31pts) vs. Lone Star Brahmas (24-4-1-3, 52pts)
at NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, TX
Time: Monday 2:00 p.m. CDT
Broadcast: (Away) HockeyTV | Listen Live Here
What You Need to Know:
All-Time Record: 18-63-3-8
Season Series: 2-1
Leading Scorers:
ODA: 29pts, Mansfield (14G, 15A)
LOS: 19pts, Comishock (7G, 12A)
Double Trouble:
Both Lone Star goalies rank inside the top three in goals-against-average across the entire NAHL. Arthur Smith has a 1.15GAA and William Gramme has a 1.90GAA. Smith is second in the league in save percentage (0.945%) and shutouts (4). The goal-tending tandem has put Lone Star at the top for fewest goals-against per game at 1.81. They have only allowed 58 goals through 32 games this season which is the fewest in the league. Oklahoma has the second-fewest with 72. The Brahmas also have the fewest number of losses in regulation (4).
Year of the Rabbit:
On January 22, 2023, it will officially be the Year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese zodiac. The rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity. A Jackalope is defined as a jackrabbit with antelope horns. The Jackalopes are hoping to prosper on Monday by winning their third game against Lone Star this season. Something they have not done since 2018-19. Odessa is also in the second half of their season with their eyes solely focused on making the playoffs. The Jackalopes have not reached the playoffs since 2017-18. Odessa is facing a tall task though, for the rest of this month they will face a team currently in a playoff spot. Depending on how the rest of this month goes for Odessa, they could potentially see themselves in a playoff spot. Something they have yet to be in this season.
Depth:
The Brahmas may only have two players with double-digit goals, but what they do have are 13 skaters that have double-digit points. Odessa has seven players with ten points or more this season and they have three players with double-digit goals. Lone Star ranks 15th in the NAHL in goals-per-game at 2.97. The Jackalopes average 2.81 goals-per-game which puts them 19th across all 29 teams. So far there have been 18 different goal scorers for Odessa this season. The Lone Star Brahmas have had 22 different players register a goal for them this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Jackalopes (D: #29 – Nate Boak)
The Canton, NY native is in his final year of junior hockey. The 20-year-old started his NAHL career in 2020-21 playing 18 games for the New Jersey Titans (5A). The 5’9”/170lb. left-handed defenseman finished out his rookie campaign by playing 28 games with Odessa (1G, 5A). Last season, Boak played 35 games in a Jackalopes jersey and tallied seven points (1G, 6A). Boak has 11 points (all assists) in 28 games this season which puts him at the top among all Jackalopes defensemen. In his last six games, Boak has totaled five points. Before reaching the NAHL, Boak spent three years playing for Northwood School (USHS-Prep). Totaling 65 points (11G, 54A) in 173 games played.
Wranglers (F: #25 – Nate Mann)
The 21-year-old is also in his final season of junior eligibility. The Hilton, NY native started his NAHL career in 2019-20 playing seven games (1A) for the Corpus Christi IceRays. The 6’3”/174lb. left-handed forward spent the following year playing 40 games (6G, 2A) for the Aberdeen Wings. Last season, Mann played for Aberdeen (19GP, 3G, 7A), El Paso Rhinos (14GP, 2G, 3A), and Minot Minotauros (13GP, 2G, 2A). Mann is currently tied-fifth on the Brahmas for scoring with 16 points (4G, 12A). His 12 assists are tied for the team lead. In his last six games, he has recorded five assists. Mann has played in all three games against Odessa this season and has three points (2G, 1A).
Photo credit: Danne Braden
