Head to head Information
All-Time vs. AMA (Since 2011):
8-35-3
Postseason: 1-2-1 (W, at AMA)
H: 3-17-1
R: 4-19-2
2015-16: 6-2-0
In Odessa: 2-0-1
In AMA: 4-2-0
One-Goal Games: 2-1-0
Overtime Games: 0-0
Shootout Games: 1-1
Tonight’s Matchup: The Jacks return home for the final time in March as they welcome in the Amarillo Bulls for a mid-week tilt. The Bulls make their first visit to Ector County Coliseum since October 22-24 as the two clubs battle for the 10th time this year. Both teams are trending down as Odessa has lost four straight after winning three in a row while Amarillo has won just two of their last 11 and are losers of their last five. Odessa is 6-2-1 against the last-place Bulls this season and 8-35-3 all-time (2011).
Last Time Out: The Lone Star Brahmas scored three unanswered opening period goals Saturday night at NYTEX Sports Centre before Pierce Pluemer potted his fourth of the year to get the Jacks on the board in the second. Johan Lundgren then extended the Brahmas lead to 4-1 late in the frame before the Brahmas sealed the win with two more goals in the third. The real story came at 14:59 of the third when a line brawl broke out between both teams resulting in over 100 minutes in penalties between the two clubs.
Iron Fist: After Saturday’s fights, the league has come down hard on the Jacks suspending head coach Greg Gatto four games, defenseman Cooper Zech eight games, forward Taylor Gatto eight games, forward Connor Wood six games and forward Matt Rypien six games. Lone Star’s John Zimmerman received a three game suspension for his part.
Streaks Snapped: Jackalopes left-wing Derek Brown’s point streak was snapped Saturday at a franchise record and NAHL season-long 16-straight games (7-17-24). Jacks center-man Hampus Sjodahl also saw his career-long 11 game streak (10-8-18) come to an end when he was unable to get on the score sheet Saturday.
Mighty Molinaro: Amarillo’s Joey Molinaro has not recorded a point in his last four games, but the Niagara committed forward (Atlantic, D1) still leads the Bulls in goals (16), assists (23) and points (39). The Mississauga, ON, CAN native has seven goals and seven assists in eight games against the Jacks this season.
Down South: Corpus’s win Saturday and Jacks loss moved the Rays (22-24-6=60) four points ahead of Odessa (21-25-4=46) for the final playoff spot in the South Division. After Tuesday, the Jacks will travel out to Topeka for a three-game series while the IceRays are off to NYTEX Sports Centre to face the Brahmas. After this weekend, both clubs will have played 54 games. In other South action, Wichita Falls welcomes in the Amarillo Bulls for two games this Friday and Saturday at the Kay Yeager Coliseum.
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.
