Oklahoma Warriors (18-5-0-1, 37pts) vs. Odessa Jackalopes (12-12-0-1, 25pts)
at Ector County Coliseum in Odessa, TX
Time: Friday 7:15 p.m. CDT | Saturday 7:15 p.m. CDT
Broadcast: (Home) HockeyTV | Listen Live Here
What You Need to Know:
All-Time Record: 0-4
Season Series: 0-4
Leading Scorers:
OKW: 28pts, Jones (9G, 19A)
ODA: 22pts, Mansfield (13G, 9A)
Full Circle:
This weekend the Jacks conclude their longest homestand of the season. It started on Nov. 25-26 against the Warriors. That also marked the end of four-straight games against the Warriors. Odessa was shutout in two of those meetings. The last time these two teams met, Oklahoma won putting the Jacks on a five-game losing streak. Odessa has won ever since, putting them on a five-game win streak going into this weekend. The longest win streak in Jackalopes history is seven games which spanned from March 3-21, 2012. Oklahoma is 1-3 since playing Odessa. The Jacks are currently in sixth place and are two points behind Amarillo and three behind Shreveport. The Mudbugs currently hold the final playoff spot.
Goals Galore:
Oklahoma has scored the most goals in the South at 102. They only are six goals behind the league lead which is held by the Maryland Black Bears. However, the Warriors have played six fewer games. The Warriors average 4.25 goals per game which is the highest in the NAHL. The Jacks score an average of 2.68 goals a goal which puts them 22nd in the league. Oklahoma has scored 34 goals in the opening period this season which is the second-most in the NAHL. The Jacks are tied for the third most with 29. The Warriors highest-scoring period is the second as they have produced a league-leading 35 goals in the middle frame. Oklahoma has scored 23 goals against Odessa this season and has only allowed five. The Warriors lead the NAHL in goal differential at plus 47. The Jacks are minus 19 which is the fourth worst. While the Warriors only have two skaters with double-digit goals, they have five players with more than 20 points.
On The Rise:
The Jacks have scored a power-play goal in three of their last five games. Over the last few games, the Jacks powerplay went from 7% to now 11.3%. While it may be the lowest in the league, they only have 71 chances on the man advantage which is the second-fewest in the NAHL. The Jacks are the only team without double-digit powerplay goals. The Jacks have only allowed two power-play goals in the last five games. Their penalty kill is 22nd in the league with a success rate of 76.6%.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Warriros (G: #30 – Daniel Duris)
The Martin, SVK native is in his second season in the NAHL, both with the Warriors. The 19-year-old played 18 games for Wichita Falls last season and recorded an 8-8-2 record (2.46GAA, .912SV%). The 6’1”/180lb. right-handed netminder has ten wins this season which is tied for the fourth most in the league. His goals-against average of 2.22 puts him 11th in the NAHL. Duris only has two losses this season, but both have come within his last three starts. He has played in two games against Odessa and has won both.
Jackalopes (G: #33 – Greg Orosz)
The 20-year-old is currently on a four-game win streak which ties a career-high. He started all three games for the Jacks in their recent 3-in-3 series and logged over 185 minutes between the pipes. The Gyor, HUN native even picked up the first shutout of the season for the Jacks after he made 24 saves in a 3-0 win over Corpus Christi. The UAA commits spectacular performance earned him South Division Star of the Week, December 5-11, 2022. The 6’3”/185lb. left-handed goaltender is ranked eighth in the NAHL in save percentage at .925%. His nine wins tie him for ninth-most among his peers. Orosz has played in all four games against Oklahoma this season and is still seeking his first win.
Photo by: Danne Braden
