JACKS WEEKLY: 11-8-12
JACKS PREPARE FOR FOUR GAME HOMESTAND
ODESSA, TX – Following a pair of losses at Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas to the defending NAHL and Robertson Cup Champion Texas Tornado last weekend, the Odessa Jackalopes are currently gearing up for a four-game homestand at Ector County Coliseum, beginning Friday vs. the Wichita Falls Wildcats.
Currently the NAHL South Division’s sixth-place team at 3-10-2 overall, the Jackalopes are winless in their past eight games, a new franchise record in the team’s NAHL era. In back-to-back road losses to Texas last Friday and Saturday, four different players scored for Odessa and goaltenders Andrew Pikul and Blake Wojtala
combined for 74 total Jackalopes saves.
Machesney Park, Illinois native Lawrence Cornellier continues to pace the Jackalopes in scoring this year, netting team-leading totals in goals (11) and points (14) in 15 games played so far this season. Cornellier’s six power-play goals are currently tied for second most among all NAHL skaters in 2012-13.
Friday’s clash with Wichita Falls will be the Jacks’ first head-to-head meeting with the Wildcats this season. Last year, Odessa lost their first meeting vs. Wichita Falls in a shootout before rattling off seven straight head-to-head wins, pushing the two teams‘ all-time series in the Jacks’ favor at 7-0-1 for Odessa.
Following two games against the ‘Cats on Friday and Saturday night, the Jacks welcome the Tornado to town for a pair of games on Monday and Tuesday at Ector County Coliseum.
JACKS ACQUIRE PEPLINSKI FROM MICHIGAN WARRIORS
The Odessa Jackalopes acquired veteran winger Jimmy Peplinski from the NAHL North Division’s Michigan Warriors on Wednesday in exchange for future considerations.
Peplinski, a Howell, Michigan native and 6’3”, 195 lb. power forward, will wear number 14 for the Jacks and is expected to make his Odessa debut on Friday vs. Wichita Falls. In 56 career NAHL games for Michigan and the New Mexico Mustangs, Peplinski tallied 12 goals and 28 total points with a -37 rating and 31 total penalty minutes.
In order to make room on the roster, the Jacks released veteran forwards Tyler Cayemberg and TJ Sennott on Thursday.
JACKS VS. WICHITA FALLS ALL-TIME
All-Time Head-to-Head Record: (7-0-1)
All-Time Head-to-Head Record at Ector County Coliseum: (3-0-1)
All-Time Goal Differential: ODE: 27 / WFS: 15
All-Time Head-to-Head Leading Scorer: Lawrence Cornellier: 8 GP, 6G, 6A, 12 PTS
All-Time Head-to-Head Leading Goaltender: Connor Hellebuyck: 8 GP, 7-0-1, 1.73 GAA, .947 S%
JACKS CELEBRATE "MOVEMBER"
So far, the Jackalopes have raised $360 for mens cancer research during “Movember”, the highest total among all NAHL teams. Donate today on the “Odessa Jackalopes” page on movember.com!
NEXT HOME GAME / PROMOTION
The Jacks return home November 9th and 10th for two games against the Wichita Falls Wildcats. On Friday, take home a Jacks Legends Photo and Saturday is Jacks Hockey Puck Giveaway night! The homestand continues Monday and Tuesday vs. Texas. In celebration of veterans day, all veterans and their families will receive free admission to Monday’s game.
