Odessa Jackalopes (15-16-0-1, 31pts) vs. Shreveport Mudbugs (18-12-2-2, 40pts)
at George’s Pond Hirsch Coliseum, LA
Time: Friday 7:11 p.m. CDT | Saturday 7:11 p.m. CDT
Broadcast: HockeyTV
What You Need to Know:
All-Time Record: 20-34-3-3
Season Series: 1-1
Leading Scorers:
ODA: 30pts, Mansfield (14G, 16A)
SHV: 30pts, Morse (10G, 20A)
Heating up:
So far in 2023, the Jackalopes have a 3-2 record. Their final four games of the month are against the two teams tied for third in the South. The last time Odessa saw Shreveport was back on Oct. 7-8 and it resulted in a split weekend series. The Mudbugs lost their six-game win streak last week after being swept by Oklahoma. The last three losses the Jacks have had were decided by one goal. The Mudbugs are spending the entire month of January on home ice which marks their longest homestand of the season (8 games). Odessa ends their seven-game road trip this weekend but will see Shreveport again in two weeks at the JackShack.
Special Teams:
The Odessa Jackalopes have scored a power-play goal in two consecutive games. They have not done that since Dec. 3-8. The Jackalopes powerplay sits at 11.1% which is last in the NAHL. However, they have the second-fewest number of powerplay opportunities (90). On the flip side, the Jackalopes penalty kill ranks 18th in the league at 79.8%. In their last five games, Odessa has been shorthanded 16 times and has only allowed one goal. The Mudbugs penalty kill is third in the NAHL at 87.3%. They have allowed 15 power-play goals this season which is the third-fewest. Their powerplay is T-18th at 17.1% and they have allowed six short-handed goals which are the second-most in the league. Odessa has only allowed one short-handed goal this year which came back on Monday against Lone Star.
Don’t Look Back:
Shreveport has scored the first goal in a game 20 times this season (T-5th). They have a record of 15-2-1-2 when doing so. Their 15 wins put them in a tie for third across the NAHL. Odessa has notched the first goal of a game 17 times this season (9-7-0-1). The Jacks have scored 35 goals in the opening period this season which is the fifth most in the league. Shreveport’s highest-scoring period is the final one as they have racked up 40 goals during the final 20-minute span. The Mudbugs have only allowed 14 goals so far in the first period which is the fewest in the league. Odessa is one of five teams to have a perfect record when leading after two periods of play (10-0-0-0). Shreveport is 0-3 when trailing after the first period and Odessa is 0-10 when trailing after the middle period.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Jackalopes (D: #4 – Jackson Hay)
The Banff, AB native is in his first year at the NAHL level, but it is also his final year of junior hockey. So far this season the 20-year-old has ten points (1G, 9A) which is the second most as a defenseman. The 6’0”/190lb. right-handed defenseman goes into this weekend having registered an assist in each of his last two games. Hay was drafted #12 overall by Odessa in the 2022 NAHL draft. His five power-play assists are a team-high. Before reaching the NAHL, Hay spent the 2021-22 season playing for the Brockville Braves (10GP, 1G, 3A) and Carleton Place Canadians (38GP, 5G, 14A) in the CCHL. Hay also played for the Cornwall Colts (CCHL) in 2019-20 and registered 21 points (2G, 19A) in 60 games.
Mudbugs (F: #17 – Drake Morse)
The Grand Rapids, MI native is in his final year of junior hockey. The 20-year-old started his NAHL career last season playing in 48 games (6G, 9A) for the Mudbugs. The 6’1”/185lb. right-handed forward currently leads his team in points (30) and assists (20). Morse also leads all Mudbug players in power-play goals with four. He is also one of three Shreveport players that are going to represent the South Division at the 2023 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament. Morse is currently on a career-high six-game point streak (4G, 8A). He has recorded an assist in each game against Odessa this season. Before reaching the NAHL, Morse spent the 2020-21 season playing 41 games (22G, 28A) for Meijer AAA Hockey 18U. Putting him first on the team in points. Morse was also previously drafted #277 overall in 2019 by the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL).
Photo credit: Danne Braden
