Head to head Information
All-Time vs. TOP (Since 2011):
Jacks, 7-25-2
In Topeka, 2-11-1
2015-16: 2-6-0
In Odessa: 2-2-0
In Topeka: 0-4-0
One-Goal Games: 0-2-0
Overtime Games: 0-0-0
Shootout Games: 0-0-0
Tonight’s Matchup: After Friday’s loss, the Jacks will try to earn their first win over the Topeka RoadRunners in their last six tries Saturday night and their first win at Kansas ExpoCentre since Nov. 23, 2013 (0-7-0). The Jacks are 7-25-2 all-time against the Runners and 2-11-1 in Topeka.
Last Time Out: The Odessa Jackalopes and Topeka RoadRunners combined for a Jacks season-tying 13 goals Friday. The six Jacks tallies were the most scored by Odessa in a game since mid-October. The Topeka RoadRunners twice scored three unanswered goals en route to 7-6 win at Kansas ExpoCentre. Topeka's JB Baker, Luka Maver and Marcus Russell all had two goals while Hampus Sjodahl netted his 31st and 32nd goals of the year for the Jacks.
Sizzling Sjodahl: Jacks center-man Hampus Sjodahl recorded his sixth multi-goal game of the year and the ninth of his career Friday night. The Bemidji State (WCHA, D1) committed forward is second in the NAHL in goals (32) and fourth in points (60). Sjodahl has points in 13 of his last 14 games (13-8-21) with a plus-six rating.
Dazzling Derek: Jacks left-wing Derek Brown recorded four points in Friday’s game against Topeka and now has points in 18 of his last 19 games (8-20-28). Brown has 41 assist this year, which is just two shy of Kenny Hausinger single-season franchise record of 43 which he set last year. The Peoria, AZ native is fifth in the NAHL in points (53) and his 16-game point streak he set earlier this year is both a league long and a franchise record.
Big Bro: Topeka forward Marcus Russell the older brother of Jacks forward Jon Russell has enjoyed playing his little bro this year. Marcus has five goals and one assist in eight games including a pair of multi-goal games after scoring twice Friday. Russell now has 17 goals and six assists for the year.
Baked Goods: RoadRunners forward JB Baker scored twice Friday and now has five goals and two assists against the Jacks in eight games this year. Baker, who has played 207 games in the NAHL between Johnstown, Rio Grande and Topeka, has set career highs in goals (13) and assists (15) in his final year of junior hockey.
Blue Label: Runners leading goal scorer Johnny Walker will return to Topeka's lineup Saturday after missing Friday's game due to a lower-body injury. The Arizona State (Independent, D1) committed forward has five goals and two assists in eight games with Topeka since being traded from Minot where he had 17 goals and 20 assists in 44 games with the Minotauros.
Strong Gone: RoadRunners Captain Cam Strong played his final game for Topeka Friday night. The Billings, MT native turned 21 today and due to Ivy League rules the Dartmouth College commit is not allowed to compete in junior college hockey after the age of 20. Strong is tied for third on the Runners in points (42), first in assists (29) and first in plus-minus (+19). He had an assist in his final junior game Friday night.
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.
