The Odessa Jackalopes, are set to take on the El Paso Rhinos for the 7th and 8th times of the season. This two game series will be the last time these two teams face off in the 2023-24 regular season.
The Jacks are coming off of a three-in-three weekend series where they took on the Shreveport MudBugs on Friday and Saturday and the Amarillo Wranglers on Sunday. On Friday, it was a goaltending battle as neither team found the back of the net in the three periods of play or in the overtime period. It was the MudBugs however, who prevailed in the shootout to take the extra point in the standings. Saturday night’s contest saw the Jacks go down 2-0 off of two power play goals from the Bugs, but the Jacks would respond with two power play goals of their own. Then in the 3rd period of play, James Richman would give the Jacks the 3-2 lead, before Shreveport scored two goals within the final 10 minutes of play to take the 4-3 win. Sunday’s contest against Amarillo saw the Jacks get back in the win column with a 6-3 victory. Captain Jack Christen notched his 1st multi-goal game of his NAHL career, scoring two goals in the contest, while Richman also had two goals for the Jacks. Goaltender Maksim Bely got his first NAHL win on Sunday, which just so happened to be his birthday.
The Jacks finished the weekend 1-1-1, gaining three of a possible six points in the standings. Odessa currently sits in 7th place with a 9-10-4 record (22 pts). They are 4 pts behind the 6th place Oklahoma Warriors 11-8-4 (26 pts).
As for the Rhinos, they are coming off of a two game series with the Wranglers. Both games went to overtime with each team winning one game. El Paso currently sits 2nd in the South with a 14-8-2 record (30 pts). They are 4-5-1 in their last ten games.
The Jacks previous weekend began a ten-game homestand for the Jacks. Head Coach Scott Deur commented on the importance of getting W’s here on home ice. “We’ve got to find a way to be hard to play against at home, to be above .500 at home. The next seven are really crucial for us to have success. We’re going to need to find a way to pull out some W’s and be above .500 for Christmas time”
This weekend the Jacks are celebrating ugly sweater weekend! Get in the festive spirit and wear your favorite ugly sweater to this weekend’s contests and receive free admission into this weekend’s games (prime and main levels only).
Friday, December 1st, 7:15 P.M. vs. El Paso Rhinos
Saturday, December 2nd, 7:15 P.M. vs. El Paso Rhinos
This weekend’s games and all games can be streamed on NAHLTV, along with an audio-only version available on the Odessa Jackalopes YouTube Page.
Reminder Jacks fans single game tickets are on sale and season ticket packages are still available. You can find them online or call 432-552-7825 and Tania can help you out. Come be a part of the Jacks family as we celebrate 27 continuous years of hockey in Odessa!