Weekend Preview vs. Amarillo Wranglers
October 20, 2022 – North American Hockey League (NAHL) – Odessa Jackalopes News Release
Odessa Jackalopes (4-5-0-1, 9pts) vs. Amarillo Wranglers (6-1-0-1, 13pts)
at Amarillo Civic Center in Amarillo, TX
Time: Friday 7:15 p.m. CDT | Saturday 7:15 p.m. CDT
Broadcast: (Away) HockeyTV | Listen Live Here
What You Need to Know:
All-Time Record: 5-3-0-0
Season Series: 0-0
Leading Scorers:
ODA: 7pts, Goode (6G, 1A)
AMW: 7pts, Ivey (1G, 6A)
Streaks:
The Jacks are currently on a three-game win streak and earned their first sweep of the season after beating El Paso during home opening weekend. Amarillo had a perfect 6-0 record until last weekend when they only managed to get one point against Shreveport. The Jacks not only have to face second-place Amarillo this weekend, but they will be on the road next week to face first-place Lone Star, who are riding an eight-game win streak. The last time Odessa played Amarillo was back on April 8-9 and the Jacks won both games. It was the only weekend between these two teams that did not end in a split.
Forwards March:
The top-10 skaters for Odessa are all forwards. Emerson Goode is the leading scorer for the Jacks with six goals and one assist. He is currently on a four-game goal streak which is the longest in his NAHL career. Amarillo does not have anyone on their roster with more than three goals. However, they have three players with at least five assists. Also, seven of their top-10 players are forwards.
Don’t Look Back:
The Wranglers have scored the first goal in five of their eight games. When striking first they are 4-1. The Jacks have registered the opening goal in six of their 10 games giving them a 2-3-0-1 record when doing so. Amarillo has not lost in regulation when leading after the first (3-0) or second (4-0-0-1) period. Odessa is 2-1-0-1 when leading after 20 minutes of play and through 40 minutes they are 3-0. With every South Division team in action this weekend it is crucial for Odessa to get out to an early lead both nights and keep their foot on the gas.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Jackalopes (G: #33 – Greg Orosz)
The Gyor, HUN native is in his final year of junior eligibility. The 20-year-old started his NAHL career last season after playing 18 games for the Aberdeen Wings (2.76GAA, .906SV%, 2SO, 8-7-1). The 6’3″/190lb. left-handed net-minder has played in three games for the Jacks and has a 2-1 record. He has a 1.68 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .955%. Prior to reaching the NAHL, Orosz spent the 2019-20 season playing 34 games (22-12) for Stanstead College Varsity (CAHS). Orosz has seen at least 36 shots in every game this season and has never given up more than two goals.
Wranglers (G: #35 – Carter Clafton)
The 6’2″/174lb. left-handed goaltender is also in his final season of junior hockey. The Grand Rapids, MN native started his NAHL career in 2020-21 with the Minot Minotauros where he played 12 games and had a 3-6-2 record (3.34GAA, .899SV%, 1SO). Last season, the 20-year-old played another 21 games for Minot (3.33GAA, .897SV%, 8-8-1) before being sent to Amarillo. Clafton finished his second year in the NAHL with the Wranglers totaling 16 games played (2.89GAA, .916SV%, 7-8-1). So far this season, he is 3-1 and ranks third among all NAHL goalies in goals-against-average (1.47) and save percentage (.949%). The former #40 overall draft pick in the 2020 NAHL draft won NAHL Goaltender of the Month for September 2022. He was also named South Division Star of the Week from Feb. 28-Mar. 6, 2022.
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