Tonight’s Matchup: The Jacks return to NYTEX Sports Centre for the third and final time this year as they face the Lone Star Brahmas for the 9th and 10th matchup’s. The Jacks are coming off a pair of losses at home at the hands of Corpus Christi while Lone Star swept Topeka two weeks ago and had the past weekend off. The last time the Jacks and Brahmas met up Hampus Sjodahl potted a pair and Odessa topped Lone Star 5-2. The Jacks are 5-17-3 versus the Brahmas all-time and 3-5-0 this season.
Last Time Out: The Corpus Christi IceRays used opening period goals by Andy McGlynn and Cody Lichtenvoort before Brad Power made it 3-0 IceRays in the second. Derek Brown ripped home a power play tally from the top of the near circle, but the Jacks failed to muster any more offense losing 3-1 last Saturday at Ector County Coliseum. Dean Shatzer took the loss stopping 25 of 28 shots faced while Dryden McKay earned his second win in as many nights stopping 27 of 28 shots.
Let’s Go Streaking: Jacks forward’s Derek Brown, 19, and Hampus Sjodahl, 20, extended their point streaks to 16 and 10 games respectively last Saturday night. Brown potted his 11th goal of the year and pushed his point streak to a franchise record and NAHL season-high 16 games. The Niagara (Atlantic, D1) committed left wing has six goals and 15 assists during the streak with two game winners and a plus-one rating. Bemidji State (WCHA, D1) committed center-man, Hampus Sjodahl, assisted on Derek Brown's goal to extend his point streak to a career-high 10 games (7-7-14). Sjodhal is the only South Division player to reach the 50-point mark this year (26-27-53) and just one of five players in the league to reach the half-century mark.
Alexander The Great: Brahmas forward Alex Berardinelli, 20, had goals in both Brahmas game two weeks ago including the game winner in game one on Feb 26. The Pittsburg, PA native has 9 points (4g, 5a) in his last 10 games and is currently on a four-game point streak. Berardinelli has 10 points (5 g, 5a) in eight games versus Odessa this season.
Skelly Skills: Brahmas defenseman Dalton Skelly, 20, has enjoyed playing the Jacks this season, registering half his goals on the year in just eight games against the Jacks. Skelly has three goals, two assists, a plus-five rating and two game winners against Odessa. The Dallas, TX native has six goals, 20 assists and a plus-10 rating in 47 games this season.
Sheriff Woody: The Jacks missed the presence of forward Connor Wood, 19, last weekend after the Buford, GA native was suspended for two games by the league for a knee on Corpus’s Cody Lichtenvoort. In the eight games with Odessa, the Jacks are 7-1-0 when he is in the lineup. The Alabama-Huntsville (WCHA, D1) commit has eight points (0g, 8a), a plus-six rating and 58 PIM. Wood has the most penalty minutes in the NAHL (222) despite missing both games last weekend.
Missing McLean: Jackalopes defenseman Drew McLean, 21, has been suspended for both games this weekend after a kneeing penalty he took on Corpus’s Jimmy O’Brien during the 1st period of Last Friday’s game. McLean missed last Saturday’s contest after the penalty left O’Brien injured for the remainder of the weekend series. The Waterford, MI native will be missed, he has four points in eight games (2g, 2a) against Lone Star this year.
Down South: All six South clubs are in action this Friday and Saturday after Odessa and Corpus were the only teams playing last weekend. The IceRays return home for a pair of games against Wichita Falls as they look to extend their lead over Odessa for the final spot in the South Division. Corpus is 0-6 against Wichita Falls on the year with six of their final 10 regular season games coming against the Cats. Amarillo welcomes in the Topeka RoadRunners for a pair of games at the Amarillo Civic Center.
Jackalopes Broadcast: Join the voice of the Jacks’ Nick Nollenberger live for every game on the Jacks flagship station Classic Rock 102.1 FM and fasthockey.com.
