Jacks (11-17-4) vs. Runners (23-14-1)
Sunday, January 17, 2016 — 7:05 p.m.
Kansas ExpoCentre — Topeka, Kansas
Jacks Road Record: 3-10-1 Runners Home Record: 13-8-1
Jacks PP: 15.2% (13) PK: 80.8% (17)
Runners PP: 17.6% (10) PK: 83.8% (9)
Tonight’s Matchup: The Odessa Jackalopes and Topeka RoadRunners wrap up their three-game series Sunday at Kansas ExpoCentre. Odessa looks to avoid a sweep and snap a five-game skid with a win Sunday. The Jacks are 2-4-0 against Topeka this season after beginning the year 2-0 against the Runners.
Last Time Out: The Odessa Jackalopes allowed goals by Marshall Bowery and Marcus Russell in both the first and second period Saturday and a couldn’t erase the four-goal deficit in the final frame. Falling to the RoadRunners, 4-1, in the second game of the three game series. Gray Marr collected Odessa’s lone goal in the game in the final period. The Jacks made an early goaltending switch from Gunner Rivers to Dean Shatzer, but the change failed to inspire any comeback. Topeka outshot Odessa 30-26 and both teams finished the game 0-for-3 on the power play.
Great Gray: Jacks winger Gray Marr netted Odessa\’s lone goal in Saturday\’s game. The first year Jack now has two goals and four assists in six games thus far against Topeka. The former Humboldt Bronco\’ has nine goals and 15 assists on the season with a +5 rating.
Runners’ Russell: Topeka forward Marcus Russell, older brother of Jacks forward Jon Russell, has been outstanding through the first two games of the three-game series. The Traverse City, MI native scored twice Saturday and now has three goals in two games and four goals in his last three games against Odessa. The former BCHL’ Alberni Bulldog’ is second on Topeka in goals and has five goals in his last ten games.
Jackalope Hunters: The Jacks have been able to bottle up Yu Hikosaka (9) who entered the weekend series with four goals in four games against Odessa, but Dominic Lutz’s (19) pair of goals Friday were his 4th and 5th of the year in as many games against the Jacks. On Saturday, Marshall Bowery netted his first two goals of the season, continuing a trend of Runners who have had their most success against Odessa.
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
