This weekend's Junior Schedule 2/24-26

With the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament now behind the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The league is back to the regular season as the final month of the NAHL Regular season is getting into high gear as the fight for 1st Round Home Ice between the Topeka Roadrunners & Texas Tornado will be getting into high gear as both teams have tough road series' this weekend as the Tornado will travel to Amarillo to face the Bulls; while the Roadrunners head to the Northwest to play the Wenatchee Wild as they are looking to overtake the Alaska Avalanche for 2nd Place in the West Coast Division with both teams having 14 & 15 games left this season.

Texas is in a part of the schedule where they are playing the Bulls 3 out of 4 weekend series as the Bulls were able to win a pair of 1 goal games where the Bulls won 5-4 & 3-2 in OT last weekend going into the Top Prospects Tournament which allowed Topeka to get a series split against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs who are leading the West Coast Division with 13 games left in the regular season. And are looking to defend the NAHL Robertson Cup Championship this year in Frisco coming up in May.

The only break from the Bulls will be on March 2nd & 3rd when the team heads to Kansas to play the Roadrunners for the final time of the regular season and possible 1st Round Playoff Preview which could be the decider to determine home ice advantage in a possible playoff series in Early April.

After this long road trip wraps up, the Tornado will finish the regular season with 4 of their final 6 at home with home series against the New Mexico Mustangs (3/16-17) & the Corpus Christi Icerays (3/30-31) to bring an end to the regular season. The Final Road of the regular season trip after this will be back in Corpus Christi on March 23rd & 24th.

Other important series in the region this weekend includes another #4 VS. #5 Series with the Corpus Christi Icerays & Odessa Jackalopes in a home-and-home this weekend where the IceRays are looking to get out of a bit of a tail spin they have been in recently after having a bit of a let down weekend against the New Mexico Mustangs where despite getting 3 out of 4 points, it didn't look that convincing as the Mustangs were able to control huge portions of both games last weekend.

New Mexico was able to have a rare strong series, it's not only the points back but the number of teams they have to jump over both Wichita Falls & Odessa to have a shot of taking down Corpus Christi for the 4th & Final Playoff spot in the South Division.

Also working against them is how the Mustangs have the fewest games remaining of the chasing pack. While Odessa (14 GR) & Wichita Falls (12 GR) still have chances to get ahead. New Mexico only has 11 games left in the regular season

The IceRays can put themselves in a position where they could be as many as 13 points up on Odessa and looking to put a knockout punch on the chasing pack of Odessa, Wichita Falls & New Mexico to end their playoff hopes as all 3 teams are looking to find a way to stay in the chase.

The WSHL has the Mid-West Division Leading El Paso Rhinos entreating the Dallas Ice Jets this weekend. With El Paso already clinching the Mid-West Division top seed, the Ice Jets are looking to use this as an opportunity to create some distance between themselves and the Texas Jr. Brahmas who are sitting in 3rd Place, just 5 points back of the Ice Jets as the Jr. Brahmas will be playing a home-and-home against the lowly Dallas Snipers who are just going through the motions of wrapping up the season as they have been out of playoff contention for weeks now.

There is also a lot of motivation for the Ice Jets after they got swept by the Rhinos just after New Years, and it wasn't just a bad weekend for the Ice Jets but a series that turned the tide in the Mid-West Division Race where the Rhinos took the Division Lead and haven't looked back ever since. Since then, the Rhinos have won 13 of their last 15 in which most of it has taken down some weak competition like scoring 14 & 10 goals in back-to-back games against the Phoenix Knights for example.

The Ice Jets on the other hand have had some issues since New Years where they are currently on a 5 game losing streak where they got swept by the Idaho Jr. Steelheads.

With the Ice Jets & Rhinos currently #1 & #2 in the Mid-West Division, this could be a possible preview for the Mid-West Division Final & a Round Robin Game in the WSHL Throne Cup as El Paso will be hosting and having an automatic spot in this year's Championship Tournament.

This weeks Junior Schedule

North American Hockey League

2/24

Texas Tornado VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Odessa Jackalopes  7:05 PM

New Mexico Mustangs VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats  7:05 PM

2/25

Texas Tornado VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

New Mexico Mustangs VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats  7:25 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:35 PM

Western States Hockey League

2/24

New Mexico Renegades VS. Boulder Bison  8:15 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM

Dallas Snipers VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  9:00 PM

2/25

Texas Jr. Brahmas VS. Dallas Snipers  7:30 AM

New Mexico Renegades VS. Boulder Bison  8:15 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM

2/26

New Mexico Renegades VS. Boulder Bison  1:00 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. El Paso Rhinos  5:30 PM



El Paso uses Puck Possession Domination to defeat the Ice Jets 6-4

El Paso Rhinos 6 Dallas Ice Jets 4 (0-1, 3-1, 3-2)

The Rhinos used a dominant puck possession lead by Rhinos lead by Travis Cornwell & Matthew Pietrzkowski with 2 goals each, as well as Dallas Szustak with 1G & 2A which included a critical SH Goal with just under 3 minutes left that iced the game to help the Rhinos win their 2nd straight game at the Polar Ice House in Grapevine and was able to continue to eat in to the Ice Jets Lead in the Mid-West Division Lead from 5 to 3 points as they are getting over a disappointing Showcase in Las Vegas just prior to Christmas.

Unlike the previous game where the Ice Jets came out firing, it was the Rhinos looking to get off a fast start where it was basically a roll reversal as the Rhinos were out-shooting the Ice Jets 10-2 at one point through the 1st 10 minutes of the game. Ice Jets Goaltender Thomas Scoggin wouldn't let it get away as as he made several superb saves to keep the game scoreless; and also got some help from his defense including a moment where the Ice Jets Defense who did a good job to prevent a great wrist shot in a strong position that Michael Riveria was looking to get the game's 1st goal.

Despite the Rhinos Possession domination, it was the Ice Jets Austin Rehwinkel shot on a great screen shot on the Power Play a Holding Penalty against Gunnar Bjorklund at 9:27 of the period. Greg Sauers got the assist on a long width of the ice pass to Rehwinkel to get the shot off to make it a 1-0 Ice Jets Lead.

Despite the lead, the Rhinos continued to dominate possession as the Rhinos continued to dominate the play by hitting everything in set and have done an extremely good job of pinning the Ice Jets Players along the boards forcing them to reduce the number of good passes they could get off, not just tonight, but over the course of the weekend series.

The 1st period with the Ice Jets leading 1-0, but it was clear who was playing better and who was carrying the momentum.

El Paso was looking to use their momentum advantage to finally get back on the board, but the Ice Jets were looking to make the Rhinos pay not being able to take advantage of their dominant possession with a great breakaway that Grant Williams & Christian Elsborg with a great breakaway that almost made it 2-0. Just a couple of minutes later Jefferson Wright made it 2-0 at 4:53 that was set up by David Dzumba on a 2-on-1 where a last minute pass had Trent Casper scrambling as he gave up the goal to put up a 2-0 lead.

A scrum happened at the 10:34 mark of the 2nd period, a scrum took place in center ice where Ice Jets Forwards Alex Deviller went for roughing & Joseph Matyaszek for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. the Ice Jets were put in a role reversal from where they were on Friday Night when they were unable to score on a 2 man advantage, tonight they were able to kill off a 2 Minute Penalty Kill.

Just when they thought they had the penalty killed and were in the clear, the Rhinos defense was able to keep the puck in the Ice Jets zone where Michael Riveria went on a solo breakaway to tie the game at 2-2 at 15:08 mark. That was just 5 seconds after the 2 Man Penalty Kill expired. That Rhinos Goal was where the Possession was finally able to make their Domination pay off.

With just under 30 seconds to go in the 2nd period, Travis Cornwell scored on the PP with just 7 seconds to go on Austin Rehwinkel's penalty for a delay of game. Szustak was the brains on the goal where sent a give and go to Cornwell in the Ice Jets Zone to give the Rhinos their 1st lead of the night at 3-2 just prior to the end of the period.

Early on in the 3rd period, the Ice Jets got off to a great start to the period when Sam Akins sent a shot off the goalpost and bounced off some traffic to make the game tied at 3-3 at the 3:27 mark of the 3rd period. The Goal was given to Dan Hudson, Jefferson Wright also had an assist on the play as he was one that helped set up the play with the initial pass.

The next several minutes made it a back-and-fourth game with both teams looking to push to get the lead in the 3rd period. One of the best opportunities for either side came when Riveria got a steal to get a dangerous shot from the faceoff circle that just missed going in near the right post and kept the game tied at 3-3.

After a Matthew Pietrzkyowski goal that made it 4-3, at 11:57 of the 3rd period. Dallas Szustak scored what turned out to be a critical goal on a shorthanded breakaway to make it 5-3 with 2:58 left in the game. It turned out to be an important goal because Dan Hudson scored his 2nd goal of the period from the edge of the of the faceoff circle near the boards from a very tough angle that went off a couple of Rhinos players to make it a 5-4 game with just under 2 minutes left in the game, just seconds later after the Ice Jets Pulled Casper with 1:15 left in the game where the Ice Jets Offensive Players just barraged Casper's net where it came just short of making it a tie hockey game.

However, the Ice Jets couldn't get another dangerous opportunity going for the final minute of the game. Then El Paso's Matthew Pietrzykowski stole the puck from the Ice Jets to send the an empty netter down the ice to clinch a 6-4 win for the Rhinos, his 2nd goal of the 3rd period. That win again eats into the Ice Jets lead from 5 to 3 points with back-to-back wins this weekend.

Both goalies had some strong showings with Ice Jets Goalie Thomas Scoggin stopped 40 of 45 shots in the loss to send his record to 8-2-1. While Rhinos Goalie Trent Casper won his 2nd game of the weekend stopped 32 of 36 shots in the win to improve his record to 9-5-0 this season.

The Final game of the series this weekend takes place at 1:00 PM tomorrow afternoon at Polar Ice House in Grapevine.

Southwest Regional Hockey Schedule for 1/2-8

Here's this week's Southwest Hockey Schedule for this week with the region's Professional, Junior & AAA Hockey Schedule. For the Dallas Stars, it's another great clash tomorrow night on National Television on NBC Sports Network against the hated Detroit Red Wings. Also later in the week it's a trip to Nashville to take on the Predators on Thursday Night and then on Saturday it's another big time rival coming to town with the Edmonton Oilers as well, so it should be a really fun week for the Stars.

Elsewhere around the region, it's a big series as the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) as the Mid-West Division Leaders Dallas Ice Jets taking on the El Paso Rhinos on Friday Night, Saturday Night & Sunday Afternoon at Polar Ice House in Grapevine. Despite the 7 Point Lead that the Ice Jets Posses right now, the Rhinos are being looked at as the Ice Jets biggest opponent this year in the Division. If the Ice Jets take control, they can really look to putting a separation between them and the rest of the Division, if the El Paso Rhinos take the series, they can really make it a close battle in the Mid-West Division.

Also the Wichita Falls Wildcats & New Mexico Mustangs maybe on the bottom of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) South Division but a critical battle as they look to close the ground on the Corpus Christi Icerays who currently hold down the 4th & Final Spot in the South Division right now.

Also, i'm introducing a new feature on Twitter Page where if you have a question or comment about any of the games and/or issues making headlines. Use the Hashtag called #SWHockey which is short for Southwest Hockey and I will look to get back to you to answer your questions and/or comments.


All Start Times are Central Time.

This weeks Schedule

National Hockey League

1/3

Detroit Red Wings VS. Dallas Stars  7:00 PM (NBC Sports Network)

1/5

Dallas Stars VS. Nashville Predators  7:00 PM (FSNSW)

1/7

Dallas Stars VS. Edmonton Oilers  1:00 PM (FSNSW)

American Hockey League

1/3

San Antonio Rampage VS. Charlotte Checkers  6:00 PM

1/4

San Antonio Rampage VS. Charlotte Checkers  6:00 PM

Oklahoma City Barons VS. Lake Erie Monsters  6:00 PM

1/6

Oklahoma City Barons VS. Toronto Marlies  6:00 PM

Texas Stars VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

Rockford Ice Hogs VS. Houston Aeros  7:35 PM

1/7

Rockford Ice Hogs VS. Texas Stars  7:00 PM

1/8

Oklahoma City Barons VS. Hamilton Bulldogs  2:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. San Antonio Rampage  3:30 PM

Rockford Ice Hogs VS. Texas Stars  5:00 PM

Central Hockey League

1/3

RGV Killer Bees VS. Arizona Sundogs  8:05 PM

1/6

Tulsa Oilers VS. Missouri Mavericks  7:05 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

RGV Killer Bees VS. Rapid City Rush  8:05 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. Arizona Sundogs  8:05 PM

1/7

Tulsa Oilers VS. Wichita Thunder  7:05 PM

Allen Americans VS. Laredo Bucks  7:30 PM

RGV Killer Bees VS. Rapid City Rush  8:05 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. Arizona Sundogs  8:05 PM

1/8

Allen Americans VS. Laredo Bucks  4:00 PM

North American Hockey League

1/5

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

1/6

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. New Mexico Mustangs  8:30 PM

1/7

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. New Mexico Mustangs  8:30 PM

Western States Hockey League

1/6

El Paso Rhinos VS. Dallas Ice Jets  7:00 PM

Dallas Snipers VS. Long Beach Bombers  8:45 PM

1/7

El Paso Rhinos VS. Dallas Ice Jets  6:00 PM

Dallas Snipers VS. Long Beach Bombers  9:45 PM

1/8

El Paso Rhinos VS. Dallas Ice Jets  1:00 PM

Dallas Snipers VS. Long Beach Bombers  3:00 PM