Amarillo blast Odessa in front of full house

The Jackalopes were looking to impress in front of one their biggest crowds of the season of nearly 5,000 as the Bulls continued to show that they are the best team in the NAHL South Division which included a hat trick from Joe Kozlak that took the Bulls an impressive 15 point lead over both the Topeka Roadrunners & Texas Tornado and basically on the verge of officially clinching the 1st Playoff Spot in the South Division this season as the Bulls look to show that they can get back to the NAHL Robertson Cup Tournament in Frisco coming up in May.

Game Report from Dave Henry of the Amarillo Globe News

Odessa Jackalopes 2  Amarillo Bulls 7  (1-2, 0-2, 1-3)

From Amarillo, Texas: Even if the 4,936 fans had paid to get in the doors of the Cal Farley Coliseum, they still would have had more then got their money's worth.

The Amarillo Bulls put on an impressive show on "Sonic Sunday" - the team's 2nd free admission game in two seasons - by storming past the Odessa Jackalopes, 7-2.

And the game had a little bit of everything, from fights to natural hat tricks to playoff implications. Amarillo stretched its streak of non losses (games in which the Bulls have not lost regulation and earned at least one point) to 21 straight games, the best streak in the North American Hockey League this season.

The Bulls also clinched at least a tie for a playoff birth and will earn a post-season spot outright with their next win.

And for the second straight night, the Bulls weren't shy about dropping their gloves with their opponent.

The Bulls and Jackalopes had four fights, including a rare goaltending tussle between Amarillo's Mike Taffe & Odessa's Justin Davis 21 seconds into the third period when the net-minders charged each other at center ice.

"We talk about us a group playing tough hockey. It is a team game and we ask guys to stick up for each other," and that's what we've been doing," said Bulls Head Coach Dennis Williams. "Our Penalty Kill has been good right now, but obviously there are some penalties there that I don't like - the slashing and the hooking. A penalty for boarding or a hard hit, hey, that happens. We just don't need to take those lazy penalties."

Bulls forward Joe Kozlak did come out lazy as he had Amarillo's first three goals, including two on the power play, and the Bulls were in control from that point.

"I just got to the front of the net," said Kozlak, who has 19 goals.

"One was just a shot from the slot and the others were putting the puck on the net from the dirty areas. We've always been a physical team, that is our nature. We don't always do things pretty. We just wanted to work their defense down low and use that to our advantage."

"We had some fights, we had some hits and we had some goals, and I think everyone had fun tonight. I know we had a lot of fun tonight."

The Bulls recent penchant for fisticuffs was evident when Taffe and Davis stormed from their respective nets during another fight between Bulls defensemen John Rey and Odessa Defensemen Tyler Minx. Both goalies received fighting/game misconducts and hit the showers.

"(Davis) kind of asked me during the second TV Timeout. He had a couple of choice words for me and I didn't want to have anything to do with it," said Taffe, who stopped 10 of 11 shots and improved to 16-1-3."

"After our first little scrum, I said 'Why Not?' There's 4,500 fans and I don't like being called out and i'm not afraid to throw them down if I have to.

"If your going to hit us, we're going to hit you right back."





Texas Rubber Magazine Feature on the NAHL in Texas

Here's a recent magazine article that was featured in Texas Rubber Magazine by John Tranchina about the North American Hockey League's Growth in Texas with 5 teams and a growing number of youth players it's effected as well.

Here's the Texas Rubber Magazine Article by John Tranchina

With no less then 5 of it's 28 franchises based in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), the United States only Tier 2 Junior A League, is the nations largest state is a testament how far the sport has progressed.

That Texas host more NAHL Clubs then any other state marks a dramatic increase from a low of one (Wichita Falls Wildcats) just four seasons ago in 2008-2009, when the four time Robertson Cup Champion Texas Tornado suspended operations to allow for the renovation of the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Frisco. Since then, the Tornado returned, switched ownership and gained new rivals with expansion teams in Amarillo (Bulls), Corpus Christi (Icerays) & Odessa (Jackalopes).

Each of the three newest Texas squads resides in cities that previously housed in the Central Hockey League (CHL) clubs that were forced to ceased operations. Now, showcasing in the NAHL's exciting brand of junior hockey, they are all thriving, with each of the five Texas clubs among the league's top nine in attendance.

"In all of those cases, they were basically markets that became available and they are interested in the North American Hockey League model and it seems to be paying off for them." noted NAHL Commissioner Mark Frankenfeld, whose league headquarters are based in Frisco. "Our strategy, in general, is you want to have good partners and close divisional rivalries. That's our strategy in Michigan or whereever you're considering expanding, but in Texas, there was no strategy there, just the change of the times with the economy and ownership changes. It's really more of a natural progression of a model and a benefit to our league. Had we not existing partners in Texas & Wichita Falls, that probably would not have evolved."

Having built in rivalries with the other Texas Teams has been a major factor in each of the new teams successes, both as far as keeping travel costs down and in having familiar opponents for their fans to root against.

"Most definitely it's good for us because if it wasn't for those teams, we couldn't be in this league," acknowledged Patt Dunn, general manager of the second year Icerays. "Already, we have to go to New Mexico & Topeka and we have 14, 15 hour bus rides. That's far enough, I'd hate to see if our closest rivals, so definitely it's a plus. And there are other teams that were in the Central Hockey League at one point, so for the fans, that's there familiarity."

The transition from Professional Hockey to high-level juniors has progressed smoothly for each of the three newcomers, both at the ticket window and within the community. "We're in our second year, but we had been in pro hockey for 13 years and it was rough," remarked Dunn, we also spent several years working for the CHL incarnation of the IceRays. "We enjoyed it and really enjoyed the product, but it was just time to move on. We went to the NAHL and have been very happy and our fans have embraced it. We had to educate our fans on what the product was, but after they got to witness it themselves, they're really excited about it and enjoying the quality of play."

One other positive each of the three newcomer NAHL Cities have experienced is more of a commitment by the clubs to serve the community. With teenage players between the ages of 16 and 20, they are more eager participants to giving back to the communities, and that higher visibility in turn helps more kids to the local youth hockey programs.

"They're a big reason we're doing so well as we are this year." stated Amarillo Hockey Association, Inc. (AHAI) president Kenneth Creamer, whose organization maintains a strong connection with the NAHL's Bulls. "They are in the community and they're promoting youth hockey a lot more then we used to get with the pro team. These guys are not getting paid, it's not their job, so they doing everything they can to be involved in the community and to grow hockey in our area."

With the tremendous escalation of the game at the grassroots level in Texas over the last decade plus, more and more locally produced players are ending up on NAHL Rosters and that serves as further inspiration for the kids in those youth programs.

"Any time you read a program and you see half the team is from Plano or Flower Mound or Dallas, it just excites everybody and makes them think, 'Hey we could be that guy,'" Dunn said. "So the younger kids believe it and they're thinking they could be the next guy playing here, that you don't have to have ice in your backyard to become a hockey player. Kids down here in the South are really good athletes and are getting into hockey."

Austin Sutter, who serves as the Amarillo Youth Programs ice coordinator while doubling as business development manager for the Bulls, illuminates how profoundly the relationship can be mutually beneficial. "The bigger the youth hockey program grows, the more revenue we can bring in for the NAHL Team and vice versa," said Sutter, who played four plus seasons for the former Amarillo Gorillas in the CHL before retiring in 2010 to get into youth coaching. "The Bulls understand the value of that partnership and so does youth hockey. When the Bulls fans come to games, they can see that we offer quite a program for kids here for kids that want to play and try the game. We do work hand-in-hand."

"Everywhere, the youth programs grow when you have a junior team there," Frankenfeld said. "That situation is good for everybody, with more people playing hockey."

About Texas Rubber Magazine: Texas Rubber Magazine is a brand new digital magazine that debut last fall and it's a monthly magazine with different features on different Youth & Junior Teams around the State. Including Texas, Rubber Magazine also does similar magazine for the states of Arizona, California, Colorado & Florida.

Corpus Christi scores key victory in NAHL South Division Playoff Race

Corpus Christi was able to score a huge 2-1 Shootout victory and was able to increase their South Division Lead to 5 points with the help to a great goaltending performance by Anthony Stolarz, who by the way was ranked 21st among North American Goaltenders earlier this week in the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season Draft Rankings.

Also the only goal in regulation, just 5 minutes later, Odessa scored their only goal of the game from Josh Obregon. After that, it was a battle of goalies where both Stolarz & Connor Hellebuyck made some great saves in the performances. For Hellebuyck, he made 34 of 35 shots while Stolarz made 29 of 30 shots in the OT Game.

Even the shootout was dominated by the goalies when Tyler Cayemberg scored 1st in the 3rd Round of the Shootout. However, they couldn't take advantage of Hellebuyck's great performance to prevent Zachary Lindsay & Dmitry Ermakov to score in the 4th & 5th Rounds to comeback to win the SO & the Game 2-1 last night at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi.

Both the Ice Rays & Jackalopes will be playing again tonight at 7:05 PM as well where the Ice Rays can extend their lead again for the 4th & Final Playoff spot in the South Division. Also the Amarillo Bulls & Topeka Roadrunners are playing in Amarillo at 7:00 PM in a game where Topeka will be looking to get in a 2nd Place Tie with the Tornado in the South Division.

Finally the Texas Tornado will host the Wichita Falls Wildcats at 7:30 PM at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco tonight. The Tornado have lost 3 in a row as the team is battling injuries and a surging Roadrunners Team that has won 9 of their last 10 with a rock hard defense that has given up 2 or fewer goals in every single victory over that span. The only loss was a 7-1 defeat at home where the Wild scored 4 Power Play Goals back on December 17 just before the Christmas Break.

Odessa Jackalopes 1  Corpus Christi Icerays 2  (SO) (0-0, 1-1, 0-0, 0-0, 0-1)

Current NAHL South Division Standings

1. Amarillo  38 GP  30-3-5  65 PTS  168-86

2. Texas  37 GP  22-9-6  50 PTS  135-101

3. Topeka  36 GP  23-11-2  48 PTS  111-92

4. Corpus Christi  34 GP  16-16-2  34 PTS  100-106

5. Odessa  33 GP  12-16-5  29 PTS  69-99

6. Wichita Falls  35 GP  12-21-2  26 PTS  87-115

7. New Mexico  35 GP  10-23-2  22 PTS  94-162

By Greg Rajan of the Corpus Christi Caller

Game Photos by George Tuley

From Corpus Christi, Texas: Given the playoff stakes, it was only natural that Thursday's Game had a post-season feel to it.

There was tentative, cautious play at times and stellar goaltending was the dominant theme. In the end,  the Icerays found enough timely scoring to nab themselves a critical victory. Corpus Christi outlasted the Odessa Jackalopes 2-1 in a shootout at the American Bank Center, giving the Ice Rays consecutive victories for the first time in more then two months.

The Ice Rays (16-16-2  34 PTS) moved up 5 points up on the Jackalopes (12-16-5 29 PTS) for the final playoff spot in the North American Hockey League's South Division (NAHL), with their two game set wrapping up tonight.

"There was a sense of relief that we got the point (for getting to overtime)," Ice Rays Coach Justin Quenneville said. "Realistically, that's not the goal we set to accomplish. We wanted the four point swing. We left (one) point on the table, but at the end of the day, a win is a win. We've got to build off it."

For the fifth time in the last six games, the Ice Rays allowed two goals or fewer.

"The Guys are really buying into the system," said Ice Rays Goalie Anthony Stolarz, who made 29 saves. "The maturity is coming in and the discipline is the most important thing, listening for the coaches. As long as we listen to what they have to say, I think the success in the end will definitely be worth it."

In the shootout, Stolarz out dueled Odessa Counter part Connor Hellebuyck, stopping four of the 5 Jackalopes' five attempts. Corpus Christi trailed entering it's final two shooters, but Zachary Lindsay & Dmitry Ermakov beat Hellebuyck to claim the victory.

For Ermakov, it was his second straight shootout winner. He scored in the eighth round to decide Saturday's 3-2 victory at Amarillo. Against Odessa, Ermakov used a backhand-to-forehand move and flipped a shoot over the 6'5" Hellebuck's blocker and inside the left post.

"He's been a big goalie like our goalie, so it's just a matter of getting him moving side to side and then finishing it," Ermakov said. "As our coach stated to us, (in the 2nd) half of the season we treat every game as a playoff game and and play a playoff style."

The teams traded second period goals, with Brandon Smith tallying for Corpus Christi and ex-Ice Ray Josh Obgren responding for Odessa. But otherwise, it was all about Stolarz and Hellebuyck, who from 12 feet, 9 inches of goaltender between them and showed why they're two of the top net minders in the NAHL.

"When you've got two great goaltenders playing like they did tonight, you knew it was going to be a frustrating contest in terms of offensive output," Quenneville said.

"But we showed a lot of good signs in terms of creating more four ourselves and being patient with the puck. They're frustrating steps - you want to see the results all the time and right away - but it does take time. With 15 first year junior players, we know there is going to be some heartache.

"But they're working hard and the energy is there. It's the bearing down and the execution from the top to bottom. We've got to find ways to put teams away early when we have the momentum and the opportunities."

Loose Pucks

Ice Rays goalie Anthony Stolarz was ranked #21 among NA Goalies in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's Mid-Season rankings released this week. Stolarz was the only NAHL Player to crack the CSB Rankings.

More Games Notes from Greg Rajan





Central Hockey League Rosters

With the Central Hockey League season beginning Tomorrow night, here's a look at the Southwest Teams as the final rosters are getting ready to come out. In addition to the rosters, several major rivalries are going to dominate headlines on the opening weekend, like the Brahmas & Americans at the Allen Events Center where the Americans are going to raise the CHL Southern Conference Championship Banner on October 15 and the South Texas Rivalry between the Laredo Bucks and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.

Other major rivalries include the Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder and the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs VS. Mississippi Riverkings which will be a home-and-home matchup with the Mudbugs hosting the first leg on Friday Night.

Some of the big news from over the off-season includes the return of Chad Woolard who has had the nickname "Mr. Brahma" for his great play in the past with the team when it was located at the Ft. Worth Civic Center in the team's early history. This past season he was with the Corpus Christi Icerays in their final year in the Central Hockey League before leaving for the North American Hockey League to become a Junior Team.

Other teams he's played with include the Mississippi Riverkings and Quad City Mallards in the CHL. As well as some time in the ECHL with the Greensboro Generals and Jackson Bandits. As well as a short Stint in the AHL with the Utah Grizzlies, St. John's Maple Leafs and San Antonio Rampage as well. He has never suited up in an NHL Game in his career.

As for players moving, Allen Americans Defensemen Brandon Struab has signed a contract with the Detroit Red Wings AHL Affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins recently.

Other Americans players that were involved in the CHL Southern Conference Championship include the offensive trio of Nino Musitelli, Justin Bowers and Bruce Graham who all combined for 215 points last season during the regular season and then 78 points combined in the post-season where the Americans came up 2 wins shy of a CHL Presidents Cup Title in their very season of professional hockey in Allen.

Here's a look at the schedule for the opening weekend of the regular season involving the CHL Southwest Teams. A lot of rivalries will be going, including Texas VS. Allen, RG Valley VS. Laredo and Tulsa VS. Wichita on Friday Night. I will also show links to the rosters for all the teams. Keep in mind that final rosters for the most part won't come out until just before the team's first game of the season.


Friday 10/15

Mississippi Riverkings VS. Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs   7:05 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Missouri Mavericks    7:05 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. Allen Americans     7:30 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. RG Valley Killer Bees   7:30 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. Tulsa Oilers    7:35 PM


Saturday 10/16

Texas Brahmas VS. Allen Americans   7:00 PM

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs VS. Mississippi Riverkings    7:05 PM

Tulsa Oilers VS. Wichita Thunder     7:05 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Quad City Mallards   7:05 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. RG Valley Killer Bees    7:30 PM


Here's the schedules and rosters for the Southwest Central Hockey League Teams.

Allen Americans Roster

Allen Americans Schedule


Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Roster

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Schedule


Laredo Bucks Roster

Laredo Bucks Schedule


Odessa Jackalopes Roster

Odessa Jackalopes Schedule


Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Roster

Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Schedule


Texas Brahmas Schedule

Texas Brahmas Roster


Tulsa Oilers Schedule

Tulsa Oilers Roster

"They Said It" with Odessa Jackalopes Head Coach Paul Gillis

Despite having very strong regular seasons the last 2 seasons, the Jackalopes have stumbled to the different DFW Teams in back-to-back years. Back in 2009, it was a big time battle between the Jackalopes & the Texas Brahmas were the Brahmas went on to win in 7 games and eventually beat the Colorado Eagles for the CHL Presidents Cup Championship to win it for the first time in their history.

Then last season it was the Allen Americans who had one of the strongest expansion teams in league history where after finishing 2nd in the Southern Conference, stunning the Jackalopes who finished with 101 points. And many people had them easily making the Presidents Cup Final before Allen took them out before losing to the Rapid City Rush in 6 games in the Final.

In this edition of "They Said It," the league asks the Jackalopes Coach about his reputation in Minor League Hockey, Sebastien Thinel winning a League MVP in recent years leadership and it's impact and facing some new teams in the Southern Conference.

Here's a look at the records of how the Odessa Jackalopes have done the last 3 seasons.

2007-2008 Season

Regular Season: 32-25-7 71 PTS, 3rd Place in Southwest DIV, 4th in Southern Conference

Playoffs: Play In Round, defates Austin 2-1; Conf SFS Lost to Laredo 4-0


2008-2009 Season

Regular Season: 39-19-6 84 PTS, Southwest DIV. Champions, 2nd in Southern Conf.

Playoffs: Conf. SFS Defeat Laredo 4-2, Conf. Finals Lost to Texas 4-3


2009-2010 Season

Regular Season: 48-11-5 101 PTS, 1st in Southern Conference

Playoffs: Conf. SFS Defeat Texas 4-2, Conf Finals Lost to Allen 4-3


Here's the Odessa Jackalopes Edition of "They Said It" on the Central Hockey League Website.


The Jackalopes have had two extremely strong seasons during each of the last two years but have fallen short of earning a trip to the Finals, what are your thoughts as what has held your team back from taking that next step?

Well they were two different individually different games in each of those games we made some fundamental mistakes early and got ourselves into trouble with a bad start and had to fight back continually the rest of the way. You just can't do that, especially late in the postseason or good teams will beat you. Those are two individual games where we didn't succeed, but we will continue with our same philosophy to get better with every game, move forward and try to get over the hump this year. But the bottom line is we didn't play well enough to win in those games and the other team did.



The Chemistry on your team seems to be among the best in the league, how has your core group of players been to coach?

Our core group has been great to coach. The one thing we believe in is our making sure we bring in good people that have a team first attitude. That's something we really take into consideration when recruiting and because of that we've had very few problems over the years with the players. That always starts with your core players and the leaders on your team.



Sebastien Thinel has won a CHL MVP and was in the running last season, what kind of force can he be for your team when he gets going?

I think he has already has his game going. He's been one of the best in the league over the last three years, he's been a force day in and day out, and he has a deep impact on this org. both on and off the ice. He comes ready to practice and ready to play everyday and the success he has had over the course of his career come directly from the work he's put in.



Joel Martin had a tremendous run in net last season, was he more then you expected last season or were you confident he could put those type of numbers?

I was definitely confident that Martin could have the season he did last year. I've seen him play before with Kalamazoo, and had to coach against teams he has played on. When he came in last year I knew the level he was capable of playing at and there was no question in my mind what he was capable of.



Your team has tremendous leadership, how does this impact the younger players on your club?

It's very important for our older players to take the lead to make sure our team plays hockey the proper way. We as a coaching staff lean on our older players not only for input but to lead the way on and off the ice with how they behave in the community and how they perform on the ice. Your veterans and leaders are always a huge help to us as coaches.


The South or Berry Conference has inherited the Mudbugs, Riverkings and Oilers, how different will this be competing with some new faces in the conference?

The league is getting more competitive every year. The quality of players, coaches, and teams is steadily improving with each season, so that makes things tougher. Not just with the new teams in our conference, but the new teams overall. The more teams there are to play, the harder it becomes to win a championship. We won't see Mississippi this year in the regular season, but could face them come playoff time so there are always going to be changes and adjustments that need to be made by every team over the course of a season.


The Jacks will be the first opponent for the Quad City Mallards, a team you coached to a championship previously, how will that game be and will it feel any different for you then just a normal game?

The Game will not feel any different. For me it will be a normal Saturday Night Game and a game that we're all trying to win.

Central Hockey League to Name Conferences after League Legends

The Central Hockey League announced today the official names of the Northern & Southern Conferences as they will be named after legends from the CHL & IHL as the Northern Conference will be named the Turner Conference after Joseph Turner, while the Southern Conference will be named the Berry Conference after the N. Thomas Berry.

N. Thomas Berry has been involved in the sport of hockey for nearly half a century as Commissioner Emeritus for the CHL and has been involved. He spent 13 years with the IHL Serving as their commissioner from 1989-1994 as he added 7 teams under his term. He currently resides in Indianapolis has served in many capacities covering the on-ice officiating all the way to running ind. teams. He was also involved in the short lived World Hockey Association (WHA) with the Indianapolis Racers.

Joesph Turner who was a goaltender from Windsor, Ontario who played for the Red Wings before WW2 also served with the US Army. He was later killed in December of 1944 during a battle in Belgium. He was an amateur goalie in the old Michigan-Ontario Amateur league which was the predictor of the International Hockey League playing for teams both in Detroit and Windsor. The Turner Cup was later named after him shortly after WW2 ended when the IHL was officially formed.

The Joseph Turner Trophy will serve as the Northern Conference Champions, while the N. Thomas Berry Trophy will be crowned as Southern Conference Champions.

Turner Conference (North)
Bloomington Prairie Thunder
Colorado Eagles
Dayton Gems
Ft. Wayne Komets
Evansville Icemen
Missouri Mavericks
Quad City Mallards
Rapid City Rush
Wichita Thunder


Berry Conference (South)
Allen Americans
Arizona Sundogs
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
Laredo Bucks
Mississippi Riverkings
Odessa Jackalopes
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
Texas Brahmas
Tulsa Oilers

2010-2011 Central Hockey League Schedule Announced

The schedule for the 2010-2011 season was just released moments ago as the CHL Regular Season will get underway on October 15 to start the 66 game season. One of the major highlights of opening weekend will be the D/FW Rivalry as the Allen Americans & Texas Brahmas will kick off with a Weekend series in Allen.

Other interesting matchups involving the Southwest Teams during opening weekend will be the South Texas Rivalry as the Laredo Bucks & Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees will hook up from Rio Grande City.

As for teams other in Odessa, Bossier-Shreveport and Tulsa. The Jackalopes who were ousted for the 2nd straight year in the Southern Conference Final will open up against the Missouri Mavericks and Quad City Mallards. This is part of a busy road schedule early on where 8 of the first 10 games will be on the road, the only exception will be a pair of home games against the Laredo Bucks on October 28 & 30.

Bossier-Shreveport will open with a home-and-home against the Mississippi Riverkings while the Tulsa Oilers will do the same thing against the Wichita Thunder on opening weekend.

Just like in previous years, a majority of the games will be on the weekends early on in the season. Then later on the league adds more week night games as we close in on the playoffs which begin in late March.

Some other interesting matchups starting out will be the Rapid City Rush playing in Ft. Wayne, Indiana playing the Komets and league power house Colorado taking on the Arizona Sundogs who finished last in the South last season.

Overall, the 66 game season will kick off on October 15 and will finish up on March 27. The Playoffs will have everyone except the last place teams in both conferences make the post-season which will begin in early April (More on why I don't like this idea in a later commentary).

Here's the Links for the Master Schedule & the Southwest Team Schedules.

CHL Website:

League Master Schedule:

Allen Americans:

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs:

Laredo Bucks:

Odessa Jackalopes:

RG Valley Killer Bees:

Texas Brahmas:

Tulsa Oilers:

Allen Americans win big Road Game to Advance to the CHL Championship

For the 2nd straight year in the CHL Southern Conference. It was D/FW VS. West Texas for a spot in the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Final.

Just like last year's Conference Final it's the D/FW Team that's going to advance as the Allen Americans took advantage of an Odessa Jackalopes Team that barely showed up to play as the Americans unknown stars such as Tobias Whelan and Erik Adams played key roles to knock out the Jackalopes at the Southern Conference Final for the 2nd straight year.

The Allen Americans will now face Northern Conference Champion Rapid City Rush as the Rush in only their 2nd season will be playing for the teams first League Championship. It's a battle of CHL New Comers for this year's Ray Miron Presidents Cup Championship.

From the Central Hockey League: www.centralhockeyleague.com

From Odessa, Texas: Capping off an incredible expansion season, the Allen Americans advanced to the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Finals with a Game 7 win over the Odessa Jackalopes by a 4-2 score. The win was the 2nd Game 7 win for the Americans in their brief history (won in deciding versus Laredo in the Conference Semifinals.)

The Americans will now face the Rapid City Rush in the league finals beginning on Friday Night in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Allen's Tobias Whelan gave his team an early lead with a late first period goal and it helped propel his team to the early lead. In the 2nd period, Colton Yellow Horn scored his first of his two goals on the night making it 2-0 Allen.

The Americans would see Collin Circelli cut the lead in half but would quickly respond with the fifth score of the series by Nino Musitelli which ultimately served as the game winner.

Justin Bowers finished his series with two assists in the game with 14 points in the series (5G 9A). Chris Whitley won his 8th game of the playoffs by stopping 26 shots in the game.

The loss for Odessa marked the 2nd straight year that the Jacks have fallen in Game 7 of the Southern Conference Final to a D/FW Team. Last year, the Jackalopes lost in brutal fashion as they lost 8-1 to the Texas Brahmas.


The Allen Americans Win the Series 4-3, Allen will face the Rapid City Rush for the 2010 CHL Ray Miron Presidents Cup Championship Series.


Game Boxscore

Allen Americans 4 Odessa Jackalopes 2 (1-0, 2-1, 1-1)

1-0 ALN: Tobias Whelan (Lukin, Bowers) 17:02 1st

2-0 ALN: Colton Yellow Horn (Fairbarn, Wooddisse) 5:04 2nd

2-1 ODE: Collin Circelli (PP) (Thinel, Ramsay) 15:22 2nd

3-1 ALN: Nino Musitelli (Bowers, Adams) 19:16 2nd

4-1 ALN: Colton Yellow Horn (PP) (Graham, Onabigon) 6:35 3rd

4-2 ODE: Jeff Pierce (EA) (Karlander, Thinel) 19:35 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: ALN 38 ODE 28

PP: ALN 1/4 ODE 1/4

PIM: ALN 10 Minutes on 5 Penalties ODE 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties

Goalies: ALN Chris Whitley 26 SVS on 28 Shots ODE Joel Martin 34 SVS on 38 Shots

ATT: 3914

3rd Star: Sebastien Thinel (ODE)

2nd Star: Justin Bowers (ALN)

1st Star: Chris Whitley (ALN)

Huge Night of Southwest Playoff Hockey

3 Huge games across the Southwest will be going on tonight as the Central Hockey League Championship Series will be figured out tonight. With the All Texas Showdown between Odessa & Allen coming to a climax, we are guaranteed a team in the CHL Presidents Cup Championship this year from the Southern Conference.

However, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs had a strong 2-0 Shutout Win from Parker Van Buskirk to get the team that was very strong in the early days of the CHL, just one win away from making it an Southwest Final. If Bossier-Shreveport wins, this would be the first All Southwest Championship Series since the 2003-2004 season when the Laredo Bucks beat the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in a very tough 7 game series.

Both Series have been back and Fourth with some exciting moments. From Van Buskirk's first Pro Shutout to the explosive play of the Americans forward trio of Justin Bowers, Bruce Graham and Nino Musitelli throughout the season.

Both of the Game 7's will be taking place tonight. Odessa, Texas is the sight for the Southern Conference Final Game 7 as the Jackalopes will finally be looking to reach the Championship Series for the first time, while Allen is looking to reach the Championship in their first season.

The Northern Final Game 7 will be in Rapid City, South Dakota as the Rush will be looking to win make the Title in just their 2nd season. While Bossier-Shreveport is looking to return to the glory days when they won the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Championship back in 2001.

While the CHL will be determining the Championship Series, the Texas Stars will look to go up 3-0 and put themselves in great shape towards making the West Division Final as the West Division Semifinal heads to Rockford, Illinois for Game 3 tonight. The Stars have used a strong goaltending and a rockhard defense as the Stars have given up just 2 goals in the first 2 games.

Raymond Sawada has lead the team with 2 goals while Travis Morin has had 3 assists. Jamie Benn has also looked strong in a leadership role and also scored the team's first ever Playoff Goal in team history back in Game 1. Texas looks to keep the strong showings going as the Stars will look to make it a 3-0 series lead against the Rockford Icehogs up in Illinois tonight.

Regardless of where your from in the Southwest U.S.A, root for the teams and hope it's a big night to help these teams on the road to the League Championships at both the AHL & CHL Levels. We will know everything by late tonight, even if a long OT game is part, that would make it even better. Support your teams and cheer for the Southwest Region in tonight's Hockey Action.

All 3 Games will be huge tonight and should be exciting. Here's a look at tonight's schedule.

CHL Presidents Cup Playoffs


Southern Conference Game 7

Allen Americans VS. Odessa Jackalopes 7:05 PM in Odessa, Texas

Allen Americans Game Preview: www.allenamericans.com/articles/news.asp?articleid=317


Northern Conference Game 7

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs VS. Rapid City Rush 7:35 PM in Rapid City, South Dakota

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Game Preview: www.mudbugshockey.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=681


AHL Calder Cup Playoffs

West Division Semifinals Game 3:

Texas Stars VS. Rockford Icehogs 7:05 PM in Rockford, Illinois


Texas Stars Preview: www.texasstarshockey.com/news/news/index.html?article_id=275

Garrett Gruenke's goal in OT sends Allen VS. Odessa Series to Game 7

It took OT and in the end of last night's game saw that a game 7 is needed in the CHL Southern Conference Final as a back and Fourth game that saw it tied at both 2-2 and 3-3 at the 2nd & 3rd intermission's probably meant that it would be a close game.

Despite getting out-shot 13-7 in the 3rd period and in the OT Period, the Jackalopes made their shots count with a critical goal with just 3 minutes left to force OT and to keep the Americans from celebrating a Southern Conference Title on their home ice.

Game 7 is on Wednesday Night where the Southern Conference Champion will be crowned at the Ector County Civic Center Arena. Odessa is looking to advance after getting eliminated in last year's Southern Conference Final by the Texas Brahmas.

From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

From Odessa, Texas: Garrett Gruenke's one-timer in the left circle gave the Odessa Jackalopes a 4-3 overtime winner over the Allen Americans on Monday Night at the Ector County Coliseum to tie the Southern Conference Final and force a deciding game 7 in Odessa on Wednesday Night.

The Overtime winner was Odessa's 2nd of the series, and Gruenke's 2nd goal of the playoffs. Sebastien Thinel put a pass from behind the net onto Gruenke's stick, who placed it inside the right post.

After skating to a scoreless first period, both teams traded a pair of goals in the 2nd period. Dominic Leveille opened up the scoring at 3:41 wristing a power play goal past Chris Whitley from the top of the right circle. Jeff Pierce picked up an assist on the goal to extend his point streak to 11 games. Allen took a 2-1 lead on a pair of goals from Matt Radslovich and Bruce Graham. Sebastien Thinel knotted the game at 2-2 on a breakaway from a David Van Drunen assist.

Allen took a 3-2 lead in period three when Nino Musitelli tapped a rebound out of the air and in the net at 15:02. Odessa Phil Plante tied the game back up at 17:04 on a feed from Dominic Leveille from behind the net.


Series Tied at 3-3


Game Boxscore

Allen Americans 3 Odessa Jackalopes 4 (OT) (0-0, 2-2, 1-1, 0-1)

0-1 ODE: Dominic Leveille (PP) (Pierce, Ramsay) 3:41 2nd

1-1 ALN: Matt Radoslovich (Huclak, Lukin) 6:31 2nd

2-1 ALN: Bruce Graham (Bowers, Salekin) 9:21 2nd

2-2 ODE: Sebastien Thinel (Van Drunen) 15:20 2nd

3-2 ALN: Nino Musitelli (Gaudet, Salekin) 15:02 3rd

3-3 ODE: Philippe Plante (Leveille, Bernard) 17:04 3rd

3-4 ODE: Garrett Gruenke (Thinel, Circelli) 6:53 OT


Game Stats

PP: ALN 0/2 ODE 1/4

SOG: ALN 34 ODE 33

PIM: ALN 28 Minutes on 6 Penalties ODE 4 Minutes on 2 Penalties

Goalies: ALN Chris Whitley 29 SVS on 33 Shots ODE Joel Martin 31 SVS on 34 Shots

ATT: 2939

3rd Star: Dominic Leveille (ODE)

2nd Star: Sebastien Thinel (ODE)

1st Star: Garrett Gruenke (ODE)

Huge 3rd Period keeps Odessa Alive for Game 6

Another very wild and crazy game ended up positive for the Odessa Jackalopes as the Jackalopes helping them stay alive in the Southern Conference Final. And forcing Games 6 & 7 in West Texas, that will give them an improved chance of coming back from 3-1 down to win the series and advance to the CHL Presidents Cup Championship.

In Game 4, it was the 2nd period that had the wild action, it was the first period in this game as 4 goals were scored in less then 5 minutes to go from a 1-0 to a 3-2 Odessa Lead late in the 1st period.

Both teams had a a lot of SOG as both teams had double digit SOG in all 3 periods as the shots ended 41-36 in favor of Allen.

Offensively for Odessa was Sebasiten Thinel who had a 4 point night (1G 3A). But his only goal came in the final seconds to put the game away with just 28 seconds left. He was dangerous in all aspects of the game as his 3rd assist came on Mike Lesperance's goal that made it 5-3 Jackalopes with 6 minutes left in the game.

Despite the loss, Justin Bowers still had a big night as he was involved on all 3 goals that the Americans scored. This takes his total to 20 points during the playoffs (8G 12A). Fellow Americans teammate Bruce Graham scored the other goal in the game taking him to 5 goals for this year's playoffs.

The scene now shifts for Odessa for Games 6 & 7 as the Jackalopes will look to defend Home Ice coming up tonight and Wednesday where the Southern Conference Champion will be crowned.

Can the Jackalopes avoid going out in the Conference Final for the 2nd straight year?

Or can the Americans get to the Championship Series in their first season. And represent the D/FW Area in the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Championship Series for the 2nd straight year after the Texas Brahmas won it last year?

From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

From Allen, Texas: Joel Martin stopped 38 saves as the Odessa Jackalopes kept their playoff run alive with a 6-3 win, game five over the Allen Americans on Saturday Night at the Allen Event Center. Odessa now trails the Southern Conference Final best-of-7 series 3-2.

It was an offensive first period as the two teams combined for five goals. Dave Van Druen, Kory Karlander, and Mike Ramsay each scored for Odessa while Allen received goals from Justin Bowers and Bruce Graham.

Odessa took a 4-2 lead on Ramsay's 2nd power play goal of the game at 9:45 of the 2nd period. Ramsay tapped in a rebound from Paul Bradley's shot from the top of the circles. The Americans closed the gap back to one as Bowers deflected a Jordie Benn shot from the point past Joel Martin just 35 seconds left in the frame. Odessa held a 4-3 lead after two periods.

The Jackalopes added a pair of third period goals from Mike Lesperance and Sebastien Thinel to seal the game. Thinel's was an empty netter.


Allen Americans Lead Series 3-2

Game Boxscore


Odessa Jackalopes 6 Allen Americans 3 (3-2, 1-1, 2-0)

1-0 ODE: Dave Van Drunen (Circelli, Thinel) 3:23 1st

1-1 ALN: Bruce Graham (Straub, Bowers) 10:59 1st

1-2 ALN: Justin Bowers (Fairbarn) 12:31 1st

2-2 ODE: Kory Karlander (Bourbeau, Dunn) 14:54 1st

3-2 ODE: Mike Ramsay (PP) (Thinel, Plante) 15:14 1st

4-2 ODE: Mike Ramsay (PP) (Bradley, Leveille) 9:45 2nd

4-3 ALN: Justin Bowers (Benn, Musitelli) 19:25 2nd

5-3 ODE: Mike Lesperance (Thinel, Pierce) 13:42 3rd

6-3 ODE: Sebastien Thinel (EN) (Unassisted) 19:32 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: ODE 36 ALN 41

PP: ODE 2/6 ALN 0/5

PIM: ODE 14 Minutes on 7 Penalties ALN 36 Minutes on 10 Penalties

Goalies: ODE Joel Martin 38 SVS on 41 Shots ALN Chris Whitley 30 SVS on 36 Shots

ATT: 4919

3rd Star: Joel Martin (ODE)

2nd Star: Justin Bowers (ALN)

1st Star: Mike Ramsay (ODE)

Jeff Pierce Hat Trick Not Enough to Beat Americans, Allen is one win from the President Cup Final

Despite an unbelievable night from Jeff Pierce who had a hat trick with a goal in the first period and 2 in the 2nd period. It was not enough as the Americans had huge nights from a number of players from Jarret Lukin with 2 goals, Justin Bowers who had a 3 point (1G 2A) and Tyler Wooddisse with 3 assists and a +2 for the game.

Allen Goalie Chris Whitley who had another big night with 39 saves and a strong power play in the 2nd period have put the Jackalopes just one loss away from going out at the Southern Conference Final for the 2nd straight year by a D/FW Team.

If the Americans can advance to the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Championship Series. This would be the first time in league history that a first year team would make the championship series.

From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

From Allen, Texas: The Allen Americans kept the offense rolling on Friday Night beating the Odessa Jackalopes 6-4 moving within 1 win of a trip to the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Finals in their expansion Season.

The Americans once again struck early with Nino Musitelli scoring his seventh goal of the post-season just over two minutes into the game. Allen would build a 3-0 lead with Jarrett Lukin and Cotton Yellow Horn scoring first period goals as well.

The Jacks 5-1 in the 2nd period after Lukin's scored his second of the game and Justin Bowers notched his sixth of the playoffs but Odessa would mount a comeback.

Jeff Pierce scored three goals for Odessa by the 14:20 mark of the 2nd period giving him a league leading 10 goals in the playoffs. The Cushion the Americans would need after Odessa cut the lead to 5-4 came late in the 2nd period was a power play goal by Ryan Fairbarn.

Chris Whitley earned the win, his seventh of the post-season, by making 39 saves.

Bowers finished with a goal and 2 assists in the game. Allen will have a chance to clinch the series on home ice on Saturday Night.


Allen Americans Lead Series 3-1

Game Boxscore

Odessa Jackalopes 4 Allen Americans 6 (1-3, 3-3, 0-0)

0-1 ALN: Nino Musitelli (Unassisted) 2:33 1st

0-2 ALN: Jarrett Lukin (Yellow Horn, Wooddisse) 15:32 1st

0-3 ALN: Colton Yellow Horn (Fairbarn, Wooddisse) 16:19 1st

1-3 ODE: Jeff Pierce (PP) (Karlander, Leveille) 18:30 1st

1-4 ALN: Justin Bowers (PP) (Graham, Wooddisse) 2:24 2nd

1-5 ALN: Jarrett Lukin (Benn, Bowers) 8:32 2nd

2-5 ODE: Jeff Pierce (Circelli, Plante) 8:54 2nd

3-5 ODE: Jeff Pierce (Lesperance, Plante) 14:20 2nd

4-5 ODE: Kory Karlander (SH) (Penalty Shot) 17:14 2nd

4-6 ALN: Ryan Fairbarn (PP) (Bowers, Wooddisse) 18:14 2nd


Game Stats

PP: ODE 1/3 ALN 2/4

SOG: ODE 43 ALN 30

PIM: ODE 10 Minutes on 5 Penalties ALN 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties

Goalies: ODE Juha Toivonen 24 SVS on 30 Shots ALN Chris Whitley 39 SVS on 43 Shots

ATT: 4785

3rd Star: Jarret Lukin (ALN)

2nd Star: Jeff Pierce (ODE)

1st Star: Justin Bowers (ALN)

Justin Bowers leads Offenseve Explosion as Americans take 2-1 Series Lead

Justin Bowers was a madman at the Allen Event Center last night as a goal and 3 assists helped the Americans just crush and shock the Odessa Jackalopes as the Americans take a 2-1 series lead and is just 2 wins away from advancing to the Championship's in the team's first season.

After Chants of "Lets Go Allen" fired the crowd of just over 2700 put the Jackalopes on the defense as the Americans have gained a huge confidence booster going into Games 4 & 5 that will be taking place on Friday & Saturday Night.

This will give the Americans a chance to sweep the 3 games that would oust the Top Seeded Jackalopes from the Southern Conference Final for the 2nd straight year as the Texas Brahmas did it last year on the road to the Ray Morin's Presidents Cup Championship.

Can Allen keep the momentum going into the weekend and put them through to the Championship Series?

From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

From Allen, Texas: Fans chanted "Let's Go Allen", as the clock wound down on the 5-2 Allen Americans victory over the Odessa Jackalopes tonight at the Allen Event Center. Allen took a 2-1 series lead in the Southern Conference Finals after handing Odessa its first road loss of the 2010 playoffs. The Americans also held the Jackalopes power play unit off the board tonight for the first time in the series.

Allen quickly grabbed a two-goal lead in Game 3. Bruce Graham netted a wrist shot from the right circle at 3:39 for Allen's first goal. Not one minute later, Graham skated into the Jackalopes zone with Nino Musitelli on a two-on-one rush. Graham passed it to the winger, and Musitelli had no trouble putting the puck in the wide open net. The Jackalopes came within one at 9:03 of the first when Jeff Pierce beat Chris Whitley with a one timer on an odd-man push from Odessa. The period was fast-paced with few penalties, and Allen headed into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.

The Americans continued to rack up the goals in the middle frame, grabbing two in the final five minutes of the period. Christian Gaudet scored his first post-season goal at 16:48 when he slapped a rebound past Odessa Net Minder Joel Martin. Then, Justin Bowers launched a wrist shot past Martin to increase Allen's lead 4-1.

Odessa backstop Juha Toivonen replaced Martin in net at the start of the final period. Pierce got his 2nd of the night on a goal at 9:39 of the third. The tally brought Odessa within two, but the Americans struck back to make it 5-2. 37 seconds after Jeff Pierce's goal, defensemen Jordie Benn scored on a slap shot from the blue line. The contest, which already featured three fights, continued to heat up as everyone grabbed a dance partner with 3.1 seconds remaining in the game. Allen Liam Huculak and Odessa's Mike Lesperance were the last to square off. After the final penalties were accessed, Allen's total was 34 minutes, and Odessa had 28.

The Bowers-Graham-Musitelli line had a combined 11 points this evening. Whitley stopped 35 shots to earn his sixth post-season win. Martin saved 17 for Odessa, while Toivonen stopped 13 of 14 shots.


Allen Americans Leads Series 2-1


Game Boxscore

Odessa Jackalopes 2 Allen Americans 5 (1-2, 0-2, 1-1)

0-1 ALN: Bruce Graham (Musitelli, Bowers) 3:39 1st

0-2 ALN: Nino Musitelli (Graham, Bowers) 4:31 1st

1-2 ODE: Jeff Pierce (Circelli, Thinel) 9:03 1st

1-3 ALN: Christian Gaudet (Salekin, Bowers) 16:48 2nd

1-4 ALN: Justin Bowers (Musitelli) 18:38 2nd

2-4 ODE: Jeff Pierce (Plante, Thinel) 9:39 3rd

2-5 ALN: Jordie Benn (Graham, Musitelli) 10:16 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: ODE 37 ALN 35

PP: ODE 0/5 ALN 0/2

PIM: ODE 28 Minutes on 8 Penalties ALN 34 Minutes on 11 Penalties

Goalies: ODE Joel Martin 17 SVS on 21 Shots Juha Toivonen ALN Chris Whitley 35 SVS on 37 Shots

ATT: 2715

3rd Star: Justin Bowers (ALN)

2nd Star: Chris Whitley (ALN)

1st Star: Nino Musitelli (ALN)

Jeff Pierce's OT Winner Ties Southern Conference Final at 1-1

Getting out-shot 19-5 in the first period was almost no problem for the Allen Americans as the Americans were looking to make it a 2-0 series advantage going into the 3 games in Allen which start later this week.

After a 2-1 lead for Odessa, both teams were able to get in trouble on the special teams as a combined 25 penalties in the game was resulted in 15 power plays. However, just 2 power play goals were scored as strong goaltender and defense's that were afraid at times to attack that much as the game continued to be 2-1 Jackalopes heading into the 3rd period.

An early 3rd period goal by Liam Huculak put the game tied at 2-2 giving the Americans some hope and the momentum going into the rest of the 3rd period. After that, neither side was able to gain an advantage that could have ended the game in regulation time.

Then midway through the OT came a dagger for Allen as Americans defensemen Mike Salekin committed a 10 minute Unsportsmanlike conduct penalty where Odessa's Jeff Pierce scored the game winner with 3:17 left in the OT Period to tie the series at 1-1 with Game 3 coming up coming up on Wednesday Night at the Allen Event Center.

From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

Jeff Pierce's wrist shot from the top of the left circle beat Chris Whitley and tied the Southern Conference Finals at 1-1 as the Odessa Jackalopes beat the Allen Americans, 3-2, in OT on Saturday Night at the Ector County Coliseum.

Sebastien Thinel had the assist on Pierce's game-winner with a cross-ice pass from the right wing side. The goal was Pierce's 5th of the post-season.

Whitley did everything possible in net for the Americans to try and win the game as he made 42 saves in the game. Odessa's Joel Martin was 29 of 31.

After a scoreless 2nd period, Liam Huclak tied the game for Allen at 2-2 with just under 3 minutes into the third period to force OT.

Whitley kept it a close first period as he stopped 17 of Odessa's 19 shots in the opening frame. The Jackalopes started the game's scoring at 7:40 when Jean Bourbeau put a wrist shot in the top corner after an American's turnover in their own zone. Justin Bowers tied the game on the power play three minutes later deflecting a shot from the point. Odessa then regained the lead on a power play from Kenny Benard at 15:58.

The Overtime was Odessa's 2nd of the playoffs. The other coming in the series clincher against the Texas Brahmas. The Series now shifts to the Allen Event Center where Games 3, 4, and 5 will be played.


Series Tied 1-1


Game Boxscore

@ Ector County Coliseum

Allen Americans 2 Odessa Jackalopes 3 (OT) (1-2, 0-0, 1-0, 0-1)

0-1 ODE: Jean Bourbeau (Unassisted) 7:40 1st

1-1 ALN: Justin Bowers (PP) (Woddisse, Fairbarn) 10:46 1st

1-2 ODE: Kenny Bernard (PP) (Leveille, Karlander) 15:58 1st

2-2 ALN: Liam Huculak (Unassisted) 2:54 3rd

2-3 ODE: Jeff Pierce (Thinel, Van Drunen) 16:43 OT


Game Stats

PP: ALN 1/8 ODE 1/7

SOG: ALN 31 ODE 45

PIM: ALN 39 Minutes on 14 Penalties ODE 25 Minutes on 11 Penalties

Goalies: ALN Chris Whitley 42 SVS on 45 Shots ODE Joel Martin 29 SVS on 31 Shots

ATT: 3000

3rd Star: Chris Whitley (ALN)

2nd Star: Kenny Bernard (ODE)

1st Star: Jeff Pierce (ODE)

Jarrett Lukin leads Allen in back and fourth game to win Game 1

Jarret Lukin had a huge night as the Americans had to fight both fatigue from the short turnaround after the Laredo Series and the league's best team in the Jackalopes to steal the Conference Finals opener to stun the Jackalopes and to grab an early series lead.

They looking to prove that the Americans strong defense can keep the Jackalopes strong offense under control in what should be a great series for the Southern Conference Championship.

Other players that are looking to explode like Cotton Yellow Horn adn Nino Musitelli also had huge nights in the victory. Odessa is going to feel the pressure as for the 2nd time in these playoffs, they will go into game 2 with a 1-0 deficit. They did it against the Brahmas, can they do it against the Americans as well in a strong start to this series.

From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

The Allen Americans grabbed home ice and the series advantage versus the Odessa Jackalopes on Friday Night with a 4-3 victory at the Ector County Coliseum in Game one of the Southern Conference Final.

Jarrett Lukin had 2 goals and an assist and Mike Sellan's third period shorthanded goal proved to be the game winner.

The Jacks seemed to be carrying over the momentum they built by winning 4 straight games over the Texas Brahmas in the Conference Semifinals by grabbing the early series lead with a Sebastien Thinel power play goal at the 2:40 mark, his sixth goal of the post-season.

The teams exchanged goals before the end of the period with Lukin scoring his first of two on the night at the 15:44 mark tying the game at 1-1 but Odessa would once again grab momentum with Phillippe Plante scoring another power play goal with just 8 seconds remaining in the period.

The 2nd period belonged to the Americans who scored twice taking a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes. Nino Musitelli tied the game at the 12:32 mark scoring for the third straight game and his fifth goal of the playoffs. Lukin would give his team the lead for good about three minutes later with Musitelli earning his 2nd point of the night on the assist.

In the third period, Salekin grabbed the only two goal lead of the net for either team with his shorthanded goal at 7:22; assisted by Lukin.

Mike Ramsay scored on a 3rd period power play goal just over 30 seconds later making the two-goal cushion short-lived and gave his club a chance but Allen goaltender Chris Whitley put on a show by stopping 17 of 18 and finished the game with 34 saves, good for his fifth win of the playoffs.

Odessa's Joel Martin made 26 saves but took the loss falling to 3-1 in the playoffs. Odessa finished 3/7 on the power play while Allen went scoreless in five chances.

Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday Night in Odessa.


Allen Leads Series 1-0


Game Boxscore


@ Ector County Coliseum

Allen Americans 4 Odessa Jackalopes 3 (1-2, 2-0, 1-1)

0-1 ODE: Sebastien Thinel (PP) (Pierce, Circelli) 2:40 1st

1-1 ALN: Jarrett Lukin (Yellow Horn, Adams) 15:44 1st

1-2 ODE: Philippe Plante (PP) (Leveille, Karlander) 19:52 1st

2-2 ALN: Nino Musitelli (Adams, Benn) 12:32 2nd

3-2 ALN: Jarrett Lukin (Musitelli) 15:15 2nd

4-2 ALN: Mike Salekin (SH) (Lukin) 7:22 3rd

4-3 ODE: Mike Ramsay (PP) (Leveille, Karlander) 7:56 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: ALN 30 ODE 38

PP: ALN 0/5 ODE 3/7

PIM: ALN 16 Minutes on 8 Penalties ODE 12 Minutes on 6 Penalties

Goalies: ALN Chris Whitley 35 SVS on 38 Shots ODE Joel Martin 26 SVS on 30 Shots

ATT: 3217

3rd Star: Dominic Leveille (ODE)

2nd Star: Nino Musitelli (ALN)

1st Star: Jarrett Lukin (ALN)

A Strong Allen Defense with big 3rd period knocks out Laredo

The Allen Americans can now add another impressive mark in their inaugural season as the Allen Americans have won their first Game 7 to advance to the Southern Conference Final against the Odessa which will get underway sometime this weekend. The Americans did with a strong power play to make it 2-0 midway through the game then the Bruce Graham goal with 4 minutes to officially put the game away. In all, the Americans gave up just 21 shots including just 5 in the 2nd period.

With the Americans defense, the Odessa Jackalopes strong offense will have their hands full as the Southern Conference Final will get underway tomorrow night. The Series will be a 2-3-2 format with Odessa hosting Games 1 & 2, then Allen will get a chance to shine in the middle of the series for games 3,4, & 5.

The series would get back to Odessa for Games 6 & 7 to crown the Southern Conference Champions and to determine who will advance to the Ray Morin Presidents Cup Final either against Rapid City or Bossier-Shreveport.


From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

The Allen Americans defeated the Laredo Bucks 4-1 in Game 7 of the Southern Conference Semifinals series advancing to the South Finals to meet the Odessa Jackalopes. Game one of the Americans/Jackalopes Series is schedule for Friday Night at the Ector County Coliseum.

The Americans had a tremendous defensive effort taking a 2-0 lead after two periods with a first period goal from Nino Musitelli and a second period power play goal from Tobias Whelan.

Musitelli finished with a goal and two assists aided by a goal and an assist from All-Star Bruce Graham and two assists from fellow All-Star Justin Bowers.

Chris Whitley made 21 saves earning the win improving to 4-3 in the series so far.

Todd Griffith scored his 5th goal of the series in the loss for Laredo who dropped each of the last two games in Allen to surrender the series.


Allen Wins Series 4-3. The Americans will next play the Odessa Jackalopes in the Southern Conference Final.

Game Boxscore

Laredo Bucks 1 Allen Americans 4 (0-1, 0-1, 1-2)

0-1 ALN: Nino Musitelli (Bowers, Graham) 16:41 1st

0-2 ALN: Tobias Whelan (PP) (Musitelli) 10:33 2nd

1-2 LAR: Todd Griffith (Lehr) 4:30 3rd

1-3 ALN: Jordie Benn (Gaudet, ONabigon) 11:12 3rd

1-4 ALN: Bruce Graham (PP) (Musitelli, Bowers) 15:58


Game Stats

SOG: LAR 22 ALN 34

PP: LAR 0/5 ALN 2/7

PIM: LAR 14 Minutes on 7 Penalties ALN 10 Minutes on 5 Penalties

Goalies: LAR Pier-Olivier Pelletier 30 SVS on 34 Shots ALN Chris Whitley 21 SVS on 22 Shots

ATT: 2988

3rd Star: Todd Griffith (LAR)

2nd Star: Chris Whitley (ALN)

1st Star: Nino Musitelli (ALN)

Odessa has huge 3rd period comeback to win in OT, knocks out defending champions

What started out as a great series and a chance to knockout the Jackalopes for the 2nd straight year turned into a nightmare as the Jackalopes turned up the jets to take control of the series to win in 6. It's said that successfully defending a championship is one of the toughest things to do in sports, and the Brahmas learned that the hard way.

Texas had another great season after winning 32 games during the regular season. Texas made quick work of Corpus Christi in the Play In Round. The Brahmas have proven once again that playing in the Play In Round is no hurdle for the Brahmas. Since the inclusion of the Play In Round in 2008, the Brahmas have pretty much been the only team to have any success after playing in the Play In Round. Here's a list of teams how they have done since Play In Round was introduced.

2008

Southern Conference: Play in Round: Odessa beats Austin 2-1, Conference Semifinals Laredo beats Odessa 4-0

Northern Conference: Play In Round, Texas Beats Mississippi 2-1, Conference Semifinals Texas beats Bossier-Shreveport 4-0, Conference Final, Colorado Beats Texas 4-3


2009

Southern Conference: Play In Round, RG Valley beats Corpus Christi 2-1, Conference Semifinals Texas beats RG Valley 4-0

Northern Conference: Play In Round, Bossier-Shreveport beats Rocky Mountain 2-1, Conference Semifinals Colorado Beats Bossier-Shreveport 4-0


2010

Southern Conference: Play In Round, Texas beats Corpus Christi 2-0, Conference Semifinals Odessa beats Texas 4-2

Northern Conference: Play In Round, Missouri Beats Mississippi 2-1, Conference Semifinals Rapid City Beats Missouri 4-0


If you look at the short history of the Play In Round. The Brahmas are the only team to even win a game, much less a series when they started in the Conference Play In Round. Everybody else has gotten Sweeped in the Conference Semifinals. This shows you how the Brahmas want to make sure they can be a force to be dealt with regardless of how they start in the playoffs either in the Conference Play In Round or in the Conference Semifinals when they won the Championship in 2009.

From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

From North Richland Hills, Texas: Collin Circelli's overtime winner sent the Odessa Jackalopes to the Southern Conference Finals as the team beat the Texas Brahmas, 5-4, on Monday Night at the NYTEX Sports Center. The finish gave the Odessa Jackalopes a 4-2 win in the best-of-seven series.

Jeff Pierce and Garrett Gruenke tallied the assists on Circelli's game-winner at 2:04 of the first overtime period. Circelli drove the net after Texas turned the puck at the blue line. It marks the second straight season that Odessa has lost the first two games of a Conference Semifinal series at home, only to win four straight and advance.

The Jackalopes forced overtime after scoring a pair of third period goals to eliminate a 4-2 deficit. Kory Karlander netted a power play goal from the front of the net at 5:04. Sebastien Thinel tied the game at 7:38 when he lifted a backhanded shot into the top corner.

Both teams traded goals in the first period as Kenny Benard and Jeff Pierce each scored for Odessa. Jason Deitsch and Lee Jubinville both scored for Texas.

The Brahmas picked up the play in the 2nd period two as Deitsch scored his second of the game at 3:01 to make it 3-2, Texas. Jordan Cameron made it 4-2 at 15:57 when he took the puck from the left-wing corner, around the boards, then through the right circle before depositing a backhanded shot past Juha Toivonen. Texas held the two goal lead entering the break to set up Odessa's late heroics.

Joel Martin replaced Toivonen in the third period and finished the game with just four saves, but recorded the win. Toivonen stopped 16 of 20 in net.

The series win for Odessa marks just the third time in CHL History that a team won the first two games of a series on the road only to lose the series. Odessa defeated Laredo in 2009. New Mexico topped Arizona in 2007. Texas won the first two games of the series in Odessa to take a 2-0 series lead before Odessa's comeback with four straight wins.

The Jackalopes will await the winner of the Laredo VS. Allen series for their next round opponent.


Odessa Jackalopes win Series 4-2. Odessa will play either the Allen Americans or the Laredo Bucks in the Conference Finals.


Game Boxscore

Odessa Jackalopes 5 Texas Brahmas 4 (OT) (2-2, 0-2, 2-0, 1-0)

1-0 ODE: Kenny Bernard (PP) (Ramsay, Karlander) 3:43 1st

1-1 TEX: Jason Deitsch (Hiebert, Jubinville) 6:22 1st

1-2 TEX: Lee Jubinville (PP) (Sellars, Kinnunen) 8:56 1st

2-2 ODE: Jeff Pierce (Circelli, Thinel) 13:40 1st

2-3 TEX: Jason Deitsch (Hiebert, Jubinville) 3:01 2nd

2-4 TEX: Jordan Cameron (Gale, Rouleau) 15:57 2nd

3-4 ODE: Kory Karlander (PP) (Dunn, Leveille) 5:04 3rd

4-4 ODE: Sebastien Thinel (Bourbeau, Pierce) 7:38 3rd

5-4 ODE: Collin Circelli (Pierce, Gruenke) 2:04 OT


Game Stats

SOG: ODE 44 TEX 24

PP: ODE 2/4 TEX 1/5

PIM: ODE 12 Minutes on 6 Penalties TEX 23 Minutes on 6 Penalties

Goalies: ODE Juha Toivonen 16 SVS on 20 Shots Joel Martin 4 SVS on 4 Shots TEX Brett Jeager 39 SVS on 44 Shots

ATT: 2200

3rd Star: Lee Jubinville (TEX)

2nd Star: Jason Deitsch (TEX)

1st Star: Collin Circelli (ODE)

Thinel and Plante make difference in a defensive showdown

From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

From Odessa, Texas: The Odessa Jackalopes moved within one game of pulling off another magic act as they now lead the best-of-seven conference semifinals series' with the Texas Brahmas three games to two. The Jacks won a defensive duel at the Ector County Coliseum 2-1.

Should the Jackalopes win one of the next two games, they would for the second consecutive season erase a 2-0 series deficit losing both games on home ice and then coming back to winning the series.

The teams skated to a scoreless game all the way until the third period when Sebastien Thinel struck for his 4th goal of the series at the 5:32 mark of the final period. Philippe Plante made it 2-0 when he scored a power play goal at the 14:14 mark of the period.

Texas would score a late goal with an extra skater as Tyler Skworchinski scored his fifth goal of the post-season but that is as close as the Brahmas could get.

Both goaltenders were sharp in the game as Joe Palmer made 35 saves for the Brahmas starting his first game of the playoffs after getting action in relief in each of the last two games.

Juha Toivonen started his third straight game and earned his third straight win making 34 saves. His all-time post-season record improves to 10-1.

Game six is scheduled for Monday Night in Texas and Game 7 would be on Wednesday in Odessa if needed.


Odessa Jackalopes Lead Series 3-2


Game Boxscore

Odessa Jackalopes 2 Texas Brahmas 1 (0-0, 0-0, 1-2)

0-1 ODE: Sebastien Thinel (Pierce, Circelli) 5:32 3rd

0-2 ODE: Philippe Plante (PP) (Thinel, Leveille) 14:14 3rd

1-2 TEX: Tyler Skworchinski (EA) (Rouleau) 19:47 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: TEX 35 ODE 37

PP: TEX 0/3 ODE 1/8

PIM: TEX 23 Minutes on 10 Penalties ODE 13 Minutes on 5 Penalties

Goalies: TEX Joe Palmer 35 SVS on 37 Shots ODE Juha Toivonen 34 SVS on 35 Shots

ATT: 3278

3rd Star: Joe Palmer (TEX)

2nd Star: Sebastien Thinel (ODE)

1st Star: Juha Toivonen (ODE)

A 3 goal 1st Period helps Odessa tie the Series against the Brahmas

From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

From North Richland Hills, Texas: The Odessa Jackalopes got 27 saves from Juha Toivonen and a pair of goals from Sebastien Thinel as they topped the Brahmas, 5-1, at the NYTEX Sports Center on Friday Night. The win evens up the Southern Conference Semifinals series at 2-2 as the road team has won every game in the series so far.

Thinel's first tally was part of a three-goal first period as the Jackalopes took the lead and early control in the game. Mike Ramsay opened the scoring at 7:09, followed by Collin Circelli at 12:53 on the power play, and then Thinel at 15:07 as he took a pass on the right side of the net, and buried his own rebound for Odessa.

The game's scoring was halted until the third period, when Odessa's Jeff Pierce scored on a rebound at 7:11 to extend the Jacks lead to four. Kevin Seibel scored the lone goal for the Brahmas as his wrist shot from the point slipped through traffic, and past Toivonen who never saw the puck.

Thinel capped off the game with his second of the night at 18:47, a bad-angle shot from the left-wing corner on a Brahmas turnover.

It was the second straight game that the Jackalopes ended the first period with a 3-0 lead and the second straight game that Brahmas goaltender, Joe Palmer, came in for relief for Brett Jeager.

The Win now extends the series to at least six games in order to decide a winner. Game five will be played on Saturday back in Odessa at Ector County Coliseum.


Series tied 2-2


Game Boxscore

Odessa Jackalopes 5 Texas Brahmas 1 (3-0, 0-0, 2-1)

1-0 ODE: Mike Ramsay (Lesperance, Bernard) 7:09 1st

2-0 ODE: Collin Circelli (PP) (Dunn, Bernard) 12:53 1st

3-0 ODE: Sebastien Thinel (Pierce, Circelli) 15:07 1st

4-0 ODE: Jeff Pierce (Mbaraga, Thinel) 7:11 3rd

4-1 TEX: Kevin Seibel (Chorneyko, Burto) 14:18 3rd

5-1 ODE: Sebastien Thinel (Unassisted) 18:47 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: ODE 38 TEX 28

PP: ODE 1/8 TEX 0/6

PIM: ODE 18 Minutes on 9 Penalties TEX 31 Minutes on 10 Penalties

Goalies: ODE Juha Toivonen 27 SVS on 28 Shots TEX Brett Jeager 7 SVS on 10 Shots Joe Palmer 26 SVS on 28 Shots


ATT: 2312

3rd Star: Collin Circelli (ODE)

2nd Star: Jeff Pierce (ODE)

1st Star: Juha Toivonen (ODE)

Odessa Uses Strong 1st Period to make it a 2-1 series

From the Central Hockey League Website. www.centralhockeyleague.com

Destined to show the skill and strength that led them to 101 points during the regular season, the Odessa Jackalopes came out flying on Wednesday Night handing the Texas Brahmas just their third loss on home ice in the past three playoff seasons (15-2 at NYTEX Sports Center before tonight). The final was 5-2 and the win for the Jacks got them back in the best-of-7 series now trailing two games to one and guaranteeing they'll head back home at least for a game five on Saturday Night.

Odessa scored twice in the first period when Jeff Pierce's power play goal at 4:50 setting the tone. A pair of D-Men would strike net with Garrett Gruenke and Alex Dunn each scoring goals before the end of the opening frame making the score 3-0 after 20 minutes.

The Brahmas battled back in the 2nd period with Jordan Cameron and Justin Kinnunen each scoring power play goals making the score 3-2 after two periods but that is as close as the defending champions would get.

The Jacks gained some distance and put the game away in a 47 second stretch of the final period when Pierce scored his second of the game and Mike Ramsay struck making the score 5-2.

Sebistan Thinel had 4 assists in the game and Collin Circelli helped out on three of Odessa's goals.

Odessa outshot Texas 44-31 as Juha Toivonen, seeing his first action of the post-season, made 27 saves earning the win.

Brett Jeager, unbeaten in his previous seven playoff games, was pulled after allowing his 5th Odessa Goal and he took the loss stopping 32 of 37 shots he faced.

Texas Brahmas Lead Series 2-1


Game Boxscore

Odessa Jackalopes 6 Texas Brahmas 3 (3-0, 0-2, 3-1)

1-0 ODE: Jeff Pierce (PP) (Circelli, Thinel) 4:50 1st

2-0 ODE: Garrett Gruenke (Thinel, Cricelli) 7:20 1st

3-0 ODE: Alex Dunn (Thinel, Pierce) 10:32 1st

3-1 TEX: Jordan Cameron (PP) (Deitsch, Rouleau) 3:51 2nd

3-2 TEX: Justin Kinnunen (PP) (Skworchinski, Cameron) 10:33 2nd

4-2 ODE: Jeff Pierce (Circelli, Thinel) 5:54 3rd

5-2 ODE: Mike Ramsay (Swiniarski) 6:41 3rd

5-3 TEX: Adam Chorneyko (Pierce, Gale) 14:43

6-3 ODE: Dominic Leveille (EN) (Plante, Karlander) 18:42 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: ODE 44 TEX 31

PP: ODE 1/3 TEX 2/5

PIM: ODE 10 Minutes on 5 Penalties TEX 6 Minutes on 3 Penalties

Goalies: ODE Juha Toivonen 28 SVS on 31 Shots TEX Brett Jeager 32 SVS on 37 Shots Joe Palmer 6 SVS on 6 Shots

ATT: 2178

3rd Star: Justin Kinnunen (TEX)

2nd Star: Juha Toivonen (ODE)

1st Star: Jeff Pierce (ODE)