NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes (13-14-4) come to town for a two-game weekend series, visiting the NYTEX Sports Centre for the first time this season. The Lone Star Brahmas (26-8-1) have the edge in the season series, posting a 5-1 record against the Jackalopes in six previous meetings.
This will also be the first time the two teams play each other since swapping forwards Levi Wunder and Trevor Zenas in December.
The Brahmas are currently sitting comfortably in first place in the South Division with 53 points. The Jackalopes, meanwhile, are sixth in the division, avoiding the cellar only thanks to Topeka’s underwhelming season.
After a slew of injuries and inconsistent play in November and December, the Brahmas look to be back on the right track. A road sweep in Topeka last weekend pushed Lone Star’s win streak to five games, as Peter Kessel’s five goals led the team to a pair of 4-2 wins over the Roadrunners.
Kessel, who has an active four-game goal streak, and his linemates Austin Kamer and Drake Glover combined for 13 points in two games last weekend, driving the Brahmas offense. They’ll be looking to stay hot against the Jackalopes.
While the Brahmas’ lineup is largely back to normal (the exception being the absence of Erik Gordon, as he’s taking a stint in the USHL), the Jackalopes will be missing half of their goaltending tandem due to injury.
Jonny Hogue is unavailable this weekend, and while emergency call-up Ryan Scheide will be backing up John Flakne, the Brahmas will likely see Flakne in net both nights.
The Brahmas, on the other hand, should split the weekend series between goaltenders Alec Calvaruso and Max Prawdzik, who made 27 of 29 saves for his first NAHL win in his first NAHL start.
Both games this weekend will be on HockeyTV. Due to the Justin Kinnunen jersey number retirement ceremony on Friday, puck drop will be at 7:45 PM. However, the entirety of the ceremony will be broadcasted, so please tune in at the normal time.
Saturday puck drop will be the usual 7:30 PM.