Odessa Jackalopes (19-11-1-1, 40pts) vs. Lone Star Brahmas (16-9-4-2, 38pts)
at NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, TX
Time: 7:30 p.m. CDT
Broadcast: (Away) HockeyTV | Listen Live Here
What You Need to Know:
Season Series: 1-1-0-1
Leading Scorers:
ODA: 25pts, Goode (10g-15a)
LOS: 35pts, Niemo (15g-20a)
Lone Survivor:
The Brahmas are one of three teams in the NAHL that have yet to lose 10 games in regulation. They are also the only team inside the top-four in the South that has a negative goal differential (85GF/86GA). Their 85 goals are the fewest among teams currently in a playoff spot across the league. The Brahmas have also gone past 60 minutes the most out of any other team in the NAHL (10). They are 1-4 in overtime and 3-2 in the shootout. Out of the 31 games that Lone Star has played this season, 16 of them were decided by one goal. They also allow the fewest shots per game in the league (22.87). The fewest shots in a game this season for Odessa were 16 when they faced the Brahmas on Home Opening Night (Oct. 28).
Sharing Is Caring:
The Jacks have 14 players that have recorded at least 10 points. Compared to Lone Star, who only have six players in double digits. The top-two skaters for the Brahmas each have over 30 points. Frankie Ireland is third on the team with 19. Odessa’s top-three all have at least 23 points. Out of Odessa’s 14 skaters with double-digit points, eight are in their rookie season. In fact, the Jacks’ three leading scorers are all rookies. The Jacks finished 2021 by scoring eight goals (season-high) from eight different players. Odessa had 12 of their 19 skaters that night pick up a point.
Brick Wall:
Odessa and Lone Star each have a goalie ranked in the top-10. Jan Skorpik (7th) has a 2.39 goals-against-average and a save percentage of 0.884%. His save percentage is the lowest out of any qualified goalie (600 or more minutes). Alex Proctor (T-8th) has a 2.46GAA and a 0.927SV%. His save percentage puts him in a tie for third. Half of the top-10 goalies overall are from the South Division. Within the top-20 there are nine. Both Odessa and Lone Star are ranked within the top five for the fewest goals allowed per game. Lone Star (3rd) allows an average of 2.77 whereas Odessa (4th) allows 2.78 goals per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Jackalopes (F: #22 – Emerson Goode)
The native of Anaheim, CA is 12th in points among NAHL rookies. The 19-year-old is tied for first on the team in assists with 15 and is third on the team in goals with 10. The 6’1”/180lb. left-handed forward has points in three of his last five games (1g-4a). His +/- of 9 is the third-best on the team. Goode is tied with J.R. Perdion for the second-most power-play assists (4). Goode was drafted #132 overall in 2021 by the Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers (NA3HL). Before reaching the NAHL, Goode spent last season splitting time with Meijer AAA Hockey 18U in the NAPHL and 18U AAA level. He played 16 games in the NAPHL and registered 17 points (7g). While playing at the 18U AAA level he tallied 47 points (21g) in 46 games. His 47 points put him third on the team and his 21 goals were the second most. Goode has two points in three games against Lone Star this season (1g-1a).
Brahmas (F: #71 – Dylan Smith)
The 20-year-old is in his final season of junior eligibility. The native of Plainfield, IL is currently on a career-long seven-game point streak (4g-4a). The 5’11”/170lb. right-handed forward fourth on the team in points (8g-9a). He has the most power-play goals on the team with four. This is Smith’s third year in the NAHL, and it is proving to be his best. Smith started 2019-20 playing 10 games for the NA3HL Texas Jr. Brahmas before being brought up to Lone Star. That season, Smith played 34 games in his NAHL rookie season and registered only three points (1g). Then last year he played 52 games for Lone Star and finished with 20 points (6g). Smith also represented the South Division at the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament last year (2gp-1a). Smith only has an assist in his three games against Odessa this season.
Photo credit: Danne Braden
