Weekly Southwest Hockey Schedule for 2/13-20

Here's a look at this week's Weekly Hockey Schedule as the Tier 1 & Tier 2 State Champions have now been crowned and are now looking forward to prepare for Nationals which will be taking place in Late March & Early April for the Tier 2 Teams. Tier 1 Teams on the other hand will have to get through Rocky Mountain Regional Tournament from March 1-4 in Denver with the winners clinching a spot in Nationals which will be in Buffalo, N.Y. for the Tier 1 Teams this season.

This week will be crucial for the Stars as the schedule begins to toughen up as the team currently sits in 11th Place and are still 3 points back of 8th Place Phoenix and will have a chance to catch up as they will play the Calgary Flames on Thursday & the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday with a chance to make up some ground in the playoffs. But first, it's a very tough matchup against the Detroit Red Wings where they won a NHL Record Tying 20 Home Games in a row where they haven't lost since November 1st in a 2-1 OT Loss to the Minnesota Wild when the Wild were on they sup rising start earlier in the season, where, like the Stars have fallen back in the standings recently.

After their critical games against Phoenix, Calgary & Detroit the Stars will finish the week on Sunday Night against the Nashville Predators who are in 5th Place in the West in which the Central Division has been the Group of Death right now where Detroit is leading the Conference with 78 points, while even the Predators and Blues sit in 2nd & 3rd in the Central Division (4th & 5th Conference) with 75 & 70 points respectively in their Conference. If the Regular Season ended today, the Nashville Predators & St. Louis Blues would play each other it would most likely be a very exciting 1st Round Playoff Series.

The Aeros & Rampage both continue their mammoth road trips where both teams won't return home till March (The Aeros on 3/10 & Rampage on 3/3). Houston continues to be in a solid 4th Place, but a struggling Abbotsford Heat team has allowed the Chicago Wolves to overtake them for 5th Place as the Wolves will look to catch up on the Aeros as they would currently hold down the final home ice birth for the Conference Quarterfinals right now.

The Aeros will wrap up their Mid-Western Section of their Road Trip after beating the Grand Rapids Griffins in back-to-back games 5-1 & 5-4 back on 2/10-11 last weekend. Houston will next head to Wisconsin to play the Milwaukee Admirals where they will look revenge after losing 2-1 back on February 5th.

After a game in Wisconsin, the Aeros head to B.C. to take on the Abbotsford Heat for a pair of games on 2/17-18 as they will look to continue the Heat's Woes as they have lost 9 of their last 11 dating back to a January 15th loss in Oklahoma City near the end of their Southwestern Road Trip. Since then, the Heat have fallen from 5th to 7th Place in the Western Conference and are of danger of falling out of the Western Conference Playoff picture as the gap from 7th Place Abbotsford to 11th Place Milwaukee is just 4 points right now as they expecting to see a very desperate Heat Team.

Since winning 7 in a row back in January, the Rampage have used that as a spring board as they continue to overcome their slow start to the season as they have jumped to 6th Place out West after winning 2 of 3 last weekend against the Toronto Marlies & Rochester Americans before ending the weekend with a 7-4 loss to Grand Rapids. This weekend will see the Rampage stay closer to home with a 3 game in 3 night stretch with a Friday/Saturday Set against the last place Texas Stars, then a trip north of the Red River to play the Western Conference Leading Oklahoma City Barons Sunday Afternoon.

Texas will wrap up their short road trip after losses to Rochester & Hamilton will look to end on a positive note against the Lake Erie Monsters Wednesday Morning as the Monsters will be playing in their team's annual School Day Field Trip Game for Cleveland Area Grade School Kids. Following the road trip, the Stars will return home for a Friday/Saturday Series against the San Antonio Rampage.

Oklahoma City will be off until Friday Night as they look to continue to grow their Conference Lead over their Division Rival Houston Aeros & Mid-West Division Leading Charlotte Checkers as they have a weekend series against the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday & Saturday followed by a Sunday Afternoon Game against the San Antonio Rampage.

Elsewhere we have a pair of Turner Conference Teams in the Central Hockey League as the Evansville Icemen & Dayton Gems will be coming down South for some important games. Especially for the Ice Men who are battaling with Ft. Wayne for the Turner Conference Lead. The Ice Men will play a pair in Mcallen against the RGV Killer Bees on Tuesday & Wednesday Night, then will head up north to play Tulsa on Friday Night.

While the Gems who for the most part are way out of the Playoff Race, will also play the Oilers on Tuesday Night, then will head South to Dallas to play the Brahmas on Wednesday Night.

Elsewhere in the CHL will have another important series at NYTEX Sports Center as the Killer Bees & Brahmas will play a weekend series as the Killer Bees look to recover after losing a 9-6 game on Sunday Afternoon where at one point, the Killer Bees were able to comeback from 5-1 down in the 2nd period to get the game tied at 5-5 only for the Oilers to pull away in the 3rd period to get a huge win and an important 2 points for the 4th & Final Playoff spot in the Berry Conference.

It will be a slow weekend for the Southwest Area Junior Teams as the Texas Tornado & Dallas Snipers will be having the weekend off in the Dallas Area. Also, Amarillo, Odessa & Wichita Falls also have the weekend off this weekend. That leaves just leaves 2 Junior Series in the Southwest this weekend, 1st in the NAHL, it's the Corpus Christi Icerays hosting the last place New Mexico Mustangs for a pair on Thursday & Friday Night.

Despite the Mustangs being in Last Place, it hasn't been a slam dunk as the Ice Rays are just 4-2-0 in 6 games against New Mexico this season and they looking to rebound after losing 4-of-their-last-5 and letting the lead against Wichita Falls slip to 6 points, however, Corpus Christi does have games in hand against all 3 of their playoff challengers in New Mexico, Wichita Falls & Odessa.

The only WSHL Team hosting a series this weekend is the El Paso Rhinos where they will be playing the Texas Jr. Brahmas for the 2nd straight weekend after taking 2-of-3 against the Jr. Brahmas at NYTEX Sports Center last weekend. The Ice Jets will be heading North to Idaho for a series against one of the WSHL's Best Teams in the Idaho Jr. Steelheads.

This is after a two-and-a-half week layoff since the Ice Jets lost to the Jr. Brahmas 4-2 back on February 1st. The Extended layoff has allowed the El Paso Rhinos to build the Division Lead to 12 points in the Mid-West Division Lead thanks to the last 2 Rhinos Series against the Long Beach Bombers & Park City Moose where they were able to destroy both teams in recent weeks.

Finally, with the Road to Nationals getting in high gear, the area AAA Teams are playing their last handful of Showcase & Tournament Events of the Regular Season. Both the Dallas Stars Elites U18AAA & U16AAA Teams will play their Final Tier 1 Elite League Showcase Events of the Season this weekend as the U18AAA will head to Orland Park, Illinois to play the Great Lakes Division, including the league leading Victory Honda Team.

The U16AAA will head West to Scottsdale,Arizona to play the Rocky Mountain Division Teams as well as the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes to finish the Tier 1 Elite League Regular Season.

Both Teams will be using this to prepare for the Rocky Mountain Tier 1 Regional Tournament that will take place in Denver from 3/1-4. The Winners will quailify for the USA Hockey Tier 1 National Championships that will be in Buffalo, N.Y. from March 28 through April 1.

Also playing one of their final Showcase Events of the Season is the Dallas Ice Jets U16AAA where they head to Woodrige, Illinois which will include a game against the highly touted Shattuck St. Mary's Prep School.

Here's the Full Schedule

NHL

2/14: Dallas Stars VS. Detroit Red Wings  6:30 PM (FSN Southwest)

2/16: Calgary Flames VS. Dallas Stars  7:30 PM (FSN Southwest)

2/18: Dallas Stars VS. Phoenix Coyotes  7:00 PM (KTXA 21)

2/19: Nashville Predators VS. Dallas Stars  6:00 PM (FSN Southwest)


AHL

2/14: Houston Aeros VS. Milwaukee Admirals  7:00 PM

2/15: Texas Stars VS. Lake Erie Monsters 9:45 AM

2/17

Milwaukee Admirals VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

San Antonio Rampage VS. Texas Stars  7:30 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Abbotsford Heat  9:00 PM

2/18

Milwaukee Admirals VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

San Antonio Rampage VS. Texas Stars  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Abbotsford Heat  9:00 PM

2/19: San Antonio Rampage VS. Oklahoma City Barons  4:00 PM


Central Hockey League

2/14

Evansville Ice Men VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:00 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Wichita Thunder  7:05 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

Dayton Gems VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:05 PM

2/15

Dayton Gems VS. Texas Brahmas  7:00 PM

Evansville Ice Men VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:00 PM

2/17

Allen Americans VS. Dayton Gems  6:00 PM

RGV Killer Bees VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

Evansville Ice Men VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:35 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Rapid City Rush  8:05 PM

2/18

Allen Americans VS. Ft. Wayne Komets  6:30 PM

RGV Killer Bees VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Rapid City Rush  8:05 PM


North American Hockey League

2/16: New Mexico Mustangs VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:05 PM

2/17: New Mexico Mustangs VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:05 PM


Western States Hockey League

2/17

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Idaho Jr. Steelheads  8:00 PM

Texas Jr. Brahmas VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM

2/18

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Idaho Jr. Steelheads  8:00 PM

Texas Jr. Brahmas VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM

2/19

Texas Jr. Brahmas VS. El Paso Rhinos  5:30 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Idaho Jr. Steelheads  8:00 PM


U18AAA

2/17

Texas Tornado VS. Indiana Jr. Ice  10:00 AM

Texas Tornado VS. Carolina Jr. Hurricanes  4:00 PM

2/18

Texas Tornado VS. San Jose Jr. Sharks  8:15 AM

Cleveland Barons VS. Dallas Stars Elites  6:15 PM

2/19

Oakland Grizzlies VS. Dallas Stars Elites  12:15 PM

Texas Tornado VS. West Michigan Hounds  4:00 PM

Belle Tire VS. Dallas Stars Elites  8:15 PM

2/20

Victory Honda VS. Dallas Stars Elites  2:15 PM


U16AAA

2/17

Texas Tornado VS. San Jose Jr. Sharks  10:00 AM

Texas Tornado VS. New Jersey Jr. Titans  4:15 PM

2/18

Texas Tornado VS. Orange County  10:15 AM

Colorado Thunderbirds VS. Dallas Stars Elites  5:30 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Team Illinois  11:40 AM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Chicago Mission  6:20 PM

2/19

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Chicago Young Americans  8:10 AM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Russell Stover  11:10 AM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Shattuck St. Mary  2:00 PM

Colorado Rampage VS. Dallas Stars Elites  7:00 PM

2/20

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Rocky Mountain Roughriders  9:00 AM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Phoenix Jr. Coyotes  3:00 PM

2/6-12 Southwest Hockey Schedule

Here's a look at the Southwest Hockey Schedule for the week of February 6-12.

National Hockey League

2/7: Phoenix Coyotes VS. Dallas Stars  7:30 PM (FSN Southwest)

2/9: Dallas Stars VS. Columbus Blue Jackets  6:00 PM (FSN Southwest)

2/10: Dallas Stars VS. Buffalo Sabres  6:30 PM (FSN Southwest Plus)

2/12: LA Kings VS. Dallas Stars  (FSN Southwest)

American Hockey League

2/7

San Antonio Rampage VS. Hamilton Bulldogs  9:00 AM

Houston Aeros VS. Chicago Wolves  11:00 AM

Milwaukee Admirals VS. Texas Stars  7:30 PM



2/8: Milwaukee Admirals VS. Texas Stars  7:30 PM

2/9:  Oklahoma City Barons VS. Abbotsford Heat  8:00 PM (In Calgary, AB)

2/10

Houston Aeros VS. Grand Rapids Griffins  6:00 PM

San Antonio Rampage VS. Toronto Marlies  6:00 PM

Texas Stars VS. Rochester Americans  6:35 PM

2/11

Houston Aeros VS. Grand Rapids Griffins  6:00 PM

San Antonio Rampage VS. Rochester Americans  6:35 PM

Oklahoma City Barons VS. Abbotsord Heat  9:00 PM

2/12

Texas Stars VS. Hamilton Bulldogs  2:00 PM

San Antonio Rampage VS. Grand Rapids Griffins  4:00 PM

Central Hockey League

2/9

RGV Killer Bees VS. Laredo Bucks  11:00 AM

Wichita Thunder VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

2/10

Tulsa Oilers VS. Wichita Thunder  7:05 PM

Allen Americans VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

2/11

RGV Killer Bees VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

Evansville IceMen VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:35 PM

2/12

RGV Killer Bees VS. Tulsa Oilers  4:05 PM

North American Hockey League

2/7

Amarillo Bulls VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats  7:05 PM

2/10

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:05 PM

Amarillo Bulls VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. New Mexico Mustangs  8:30 PM

2/11

Amarillo Bulls VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:35 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. New Mexico Mustangs  8:30 PM

2/12

Odessa Jackalopes VS. New Mexico Mustangs  2:00 PM

Western States Hockey League

2/10

New Mexico Renegades VS. Dallas Snipers  7:30 PM

El Paso Rhinos VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  10:45 PM

2/11

El Paso Rhinos VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  2:15 PM

New Mexico Renegades VS. Dallas Snipers  7:30 PM

2/12

New Mexico Renegades VS. Dallas Snipers  10:00 AM

El Paso Rhinos VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  10:15 AM

Ice Jets take 2-of-3 against the San Diego Gulls

The Ice Jets had another strong series by taking 2 of the 3 games this weekend against the San Diego Gulls over the weekend at the Polar Ice House in Grapevine. One of the biggest themes of this series was that was decided with all 3 games having the winner get into a scoring burst with the winning team scoring twice in a minute or less. First on Friday Night it was Jefferson Wright & Austin Rehwinkel scoring on both ends of a 5-on-3 power play in just 17 seconds which was part of a 4 goal 1st period and lead to a 5-1 victory.

1/27: San Diego Gulls 1  Dallas Ice Jets 5  (1-4, 0-0, 0-1)

1/28: San Diego Gulls 2  Dallas Ice Jets 3 (OT) (1-0, 0-0, 1-2, 0-1)

1/29: San Diego Gulls 4 Dallas Ice Jets 2 (1-1, 2-1, 1-0)



Next on Saturday Night, it was a comeback victory after a slow start to where the Gulls were won 1-0 and after a bit of an uneventful 2nd period where Giovannetti scored late in the 1st period on the Power Play with just 1:15 left in the 1st period where Tyler Giovanetti was one of the big standouts for the Gulls this weekend where he scored goals number nine and ten of the regular season this weekend.

After Grant Williams got his 3rd straight multi point game (1G 5A) over that stretch of time where he assisted on Brandon Unser's game winner at the 3:37 mark of the extra frame and the Ice Jets were looking at not only get a rare series sweep, but also leap frog the El Paso Rhinos for the Mid-West Division Lead.

Sunday was San Diego day to advert the sweep and to keep the Ice Jets from getting the Mid-West Division Leading. But it got off to another great start for the Ice Jets thanks to Christian Elsborg who was able to continue a strong scoring run as he was able to get his 6th goal in the last 5 games, including a hat trick on January 22 against the Cheyenne Stampede.

That goal made it 1-0 just 1:14 into the game as they were able to play one of the better overall periods as they were able to smother the Gulls by out shooting San Diego 22-7 through the 1st period. It didn't prevent the Gulls Tyler Giovannetti from scoring his 2nd goal of the weekend with just under 5 minutes on a great feed from Kyle Clements.

This lead to a big time momentum shifter that goal as the Gulls were able to get off to a fast start which included 7 shots on goal and being able to hold the Ice Jets to just 4 shots on goal during the 2nd period.

The Gulls were able to gain the lead at 10:56 of the 2nd period where Justin Lazalde fired a shot from the high slot was deflected by Aaron Peterson just in front of the net to give them a 2-1 Gulls. Just 16 seconds later Tomas Busek got a laser beam sort of a pass from Stoyakn to give the Gulls a 3-1 lead.

After an Aaron Peterson Penalty for boarding at 14:07 to give the Ice Jets a Power Play opportunity when Austin Rehwinkel scored on a great slap shot sent from Dylan Campbell to trim the Gulls lead down to one at 3-2 with less then 5 minutes left in the 3rd period.

It wasn't enough through as the Gulls got the insurance goal from Arseny Stoyakn to put the game at 4-2 with just over 12 minutes left in the 3rd period. But not without some late chances from the Ice Jets to get back in this game and try to force OT like when Austin Rehwinkel almost took advantage of a bad clearing opportunity by Brian Walters.

It was quick strikes in all 3 games that decided this series. Despite the two wins, the Ice Jets still find themselves just 1 point behind the Mid-West Division Leading El Paso Rhinos who sweeped the Park City Moose by a combined score of 28-3 in the 3 games including a 14-1 win back on Friday Night.

Elsewhere in the DFW Area oer the weekend included the Texas Tornado getting a 6-2 win over the Fresno Monsters in their only game of the weekend. The Victory included Frederick Leisner 1st win as a Tornado Goalie since the trade that brought the Garland based Net Minder from the Aberdeen Wings. It also had Ondrej Kopta's 1st multi point game of his Junior Career for the 16 year old of the Czech Republic.

Also the Dallas Snipers continued their winless streak which now sits at 9 games and they haven't won since December 17 when they beat the Phoenix Knights at the WSHL Vegas Showcase. Also the Texas Jr. Brahmas were able to win of 2 of their 3 games against the New Mexico Renegades out in Rio Rancho, New Mexico over the weekend.

As for the current standings in both the WSHL Mid-West Division & NAHL South Division. The Mid-West Division Title will probably be the most exciting race as the Regular Season enters the final month as El Paso leads the Division by a single point. Currently the Jr. Brahmas are 18-11-1 (37 PTS) in 3rd Place, while the New Mexico Renegades are 4th with 30 Points (14-18-2). While the Snipers sit in last with a league worst 6 points (3-33-0) who is already officially eliminated in the WSHL Playoffs.

Texas is still battling with the Topeka Roadrunners for 2nd and that all important 1st Round Home Ice as the two teams are tied with 58 points with Topeka having the current tie breaker with 2 more wins in 1 fewer game (Texas is 43 GP, 26-11-6; Topeka is 42 GP, 28-12-2).

This upcoming weekend will be busy with a 3 game series against the Wichita Falls Wildcats (Thursday & Friday at Home, Saturday at Home). While Topeka is at home for a rare mid-week series on Wednesday and Thursday against the Corpus Christi Icerays.

While the WSHL Teams will be in action, especially the Jr. Brahmas with 4 games in 5 nights this week starting with a late night matchup on Wednesday against the Dallas Ice Jets at NYTEX Sports on Wednesday Night.

Later in the week the Long Beach Bombers come into town for a weekend series with this being the start of a 7 game home stand which will also include against El Paso next weekend.

Also the Dallas Snipers will play in a series that will mean very little where they will play the Park City Moose in a series that will mean next to nothing with both teams having the worst records in the WSHL This season.

Southwest Regional Hockey Schedule for 1/30-2/5

The All Star & Top Prospects Game continue for some leagues across North America this week as the American Hockey League All Star Game takes place tonight up in Atlantic City, New Jersey after the Western Conference winning the Skills Competition last night 18-10. Highlights including former Texas Tornado Goalie Ben Bishop won the Top Goaltender so far this season which leads the league with 6 shutouts was one of the top goaltenders by stopping 16 of 19 shots when in net. Also Ryan Keller of the Oklahoma City Barons was the co champion of the Accuracy Shot by hitting all 4 targets in just 5 shots along with Abbotsford Heat Forward Brian Connelly as well.

You can read about the entire AHL All Star Skills Competition here as well as the full results here.

With the NHL All Star Break now behind us, the league will resume the Regular Season tomorrow night with the Stars beginning a huge 2 game road trip to California to play the Ducks on Wednesday & the Sharks on Thursday as the Stars will look to eat into the Pacific Division Gap as they sit 8 points back of the Division Leading San Jose Sharks. Following the California Road Trip, it's back home to the Stars as they face the Minnesota Wild who currently holds down the 8th & Final Playoff Spot who like the Stars, have fallen back some what after an impressive start to the regular season.

Eddie Belfour will also be on hand for his NHL Hall of Fame Recognition after he got inducted back in November. He is the 3rd player from the Stars 1999 Stanley Cup Winning Team to be inducted into  the NHL Hall of Fame along with Joe Nieuwendyk who also got inducted along with Belfour & Brett Hull who was inducted back in 2009.

The 1st 7 games on February are critical to the team's Playoff Chances as they will be playing teams that are all very winnable and that are critical to the playoff run with 34 games left in the regular season that will take place over the final 2 months of the regular season which will wrap up on April 7.

When the AHL All Star Break wraps up after tonight's All Star Game. The American Hockey League will get back to business on Thursday Night with all 4 Regional Teams in action with San Antonio playing the Western Conference Leading Oklahoma City Barons while the Texas Stars will take on the Houston Aeros.

Oklahoma City will look to cool off a surging Rampage Team that has now risen to 7th Place thanks to a 7 game winning streak that goes back to January 14th win against the Rockford Ice Hogs. In addition to Rockford, San Antonio has also 3 wins over Houston & a victory over the Abbotsford Heat as well who are battling with Houston for 4th & get in a position where they would have home ice advantage in the 1st Round. Overall, the gap from from the 4th Place Houston Aeros to 7th Place San Antonio Rampage is now just 4 PTS.

Other big games in the AHL This week includes a battle of the West Division Leading Oklahoma City Barons against the Mid-West Division Leading Charlotte Checkers on Friday in OKC. Charlotte will also visit the Texas Stars on Saturday, while the Lake Erie Monsters are also visiting the Southwest by playing the Rampage on Friday & the Aeros on Saturday Night as well.

Elsewhere in the Region this week will have an important battle for the 4th & Final Playoff spot in the Berry Conference between the Tulsa Oilers & RGV Killer Bees in Tulsa. RGV needs to respond after losing 2 of 3 last weekend after a OT Loss to South Texas Rival Laredo Bucks & a 4-1 loss to the Allen Americans on Sunday last weekend that allowed the Oilers to gain a slight lead where they were able to gain points in all 3 games with wins over the Texas Brahmas & Laredo Bucks as well as forcing OT in Kansas over the Wichita Thunder who are battling with Allen for the Conference Lead right now.

Among the Junior Ranks, we will see an all Dallas Area Game on Wednesday Night as the Ice Jets will play their final game before being off for two weeks as they will look to go ahead of the El Paso Rhinos for the Mid-West Division. This game is a virtual must win to help the Ice Jets Chances as the Rhinos still has two games in hand (three after Wednesday Night) as the Rhinos will have another Favorable Series against West Coast Division Cellar Dwelling Phoenix Knights after El Paso outscored Park City 28-3 in the 3 game series that wrapped up yesterday.

In the NAHL, the Texas Tornado & Wichita Falls Wildcats will play a 3 game series as the Tornado will host the series on Thursday & Friday before both teams head to Wichita Falls on Saturday Night. Also it will be a chance for the Corpus Christi Icerays to show that not only they can make the playoffs, but show they will be a dangerous foe as the Icerays travel to Kansas to play the Topeka Roadrunners on Wednesday & Thursday Night.

Finally the Dallas Stars Elites at both the U18AAA & U16AAA Levels will play their 2nd to Final Tier 1 Elite League Showcases of the season as the U18's will head to LA while the U16's will be in Denver. This weekend will also be used a tune up for the TAHA State Championship where both teams will play the Alliance Bulldogs in the Best of 3 State Tournament Series. Speaking of Alliance, the Alliance Bulldogs U18 team will play the Dallas Oilers on Sunday; while the U16's will head to Colorado to play the Pikes Peak Miners in an exhibition series up in Colorado this weekend.

National Hockey League

2/1: Dallas Stars VS. Anaheim Ducks  9:30 PM (FSN Southwest+)

2/2: Dallas Stars VS. San Jose Sharks  9:30 PM (FSN Southwest)

2/4: Minnesota Wild VS. Dallas Stars  7:00 PM (FSN Southwest+)

American Hockey League

1/30 (All Star Game) 6:00 PM in Atlantic City, New Jersey

2/2

San Antonio Rampage VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Texas Stars VS. Houston Aeros  7:05 PM

2/3

Charlotte Checkers VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Lake Erie Monsters VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

2/4

Charlotte Checkers VS. Texas Stars  7:00 PM

Lake Erie Monsters VS. Houston Aeros  7:35 PM

2/5: Milwaukee Admirals VS. Houston Aeros  12:05 PM

Central Hockey League

1/31: RGV Killer Bees VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:05 PM

2/1: Texas Brahmas VS. Laredo Bucks  7:00 PM

2/3

Tulsa Oilers VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. Laredo Bucks  7:30 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:30 PM

2/4

Tulsa Oilers VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. Laredo Bucks  7:30 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:30 PM

North American Hockey League

2/1: Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Topeka Roadrunners  7:05 PM

2/2

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Topeka Roadrunners  7:05 PM

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

2/3

New Mexico Mustangs VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

Fresno Monsters VS. Odessa Jackalopes  7:05 PM

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

2/4

New Mexico Mustangs VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

Fresno Monsters VS. Odessa Jackalopes  7:00 PM

Texas Tornado VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats  7:05 PM

Western States Hockey League

2/1: Dallas Ice Jets VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  9:30 PM

2/3

El Paso Rhinos VS. Phoenix Knights  9:00 PM

Dallas Snipers VS. Park City Moose  9:00 PM

Long Beach Bombers VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  9:00 PM

Cheyenne Stampede VS. New Mexico Renegades  9:30 PM

2/4

Long Beach Bombers VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  3:45 PM

Cheyenne Stampede VS. New Mexico Renegades  6:30 PM

El Paso Rhinos VS. Phoenix Knights  8:45 PM

Dallas Snipers VS. Park City Moose  9:00 PM

2/5

Long Beach Bombers VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  10:15 AM

Dallas Snipers VS. Park City Moose  12:45 PM

El Paso Rhinos VS. Phoenix Knights  1:30 PM

Cheyenne Stampede VS. New Mexico Renegades  3:00 PM

U18AAA

2/3

Phoenix Jr. Coyotes VS. Dallas Stars Elites 10:00 AM

Colorado Thunderbirds VS. Dallas Stars Elites  6:15 PM

2/4

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Colorado Rampage  10:30 AM

Russell Stover VS. Dallas Stars Elites  6:45 PM

2/5

Rocky Mountain Roughriders VS. Dallas Stars Elites  10:30 AM

Alliance Bulldogs VS. Dallas Oilers AA  8:00 AM

U16AAA

2/3

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Rocky Mountain Roughriders  3:30 PM

Alliance Bulldogs VS. Pikes Peak Miners  6:30 PM

2/4

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Russell Stover  12:15 PM

Alliance Bulldogs VS. Pikes Peak Miners  3:00 PM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Colorado Thunderbirds  6:30 PM

DJHA U18 AA VS. Dallas Ice Jets  7:00 PM

2/5

Alliance Bulldogs VS. Pikes Peak Miners 9:00 AM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Colorado Rampage  12:30 PM



1/23-29 Southwest Schedule

Here's a look at the Southwest Hockey Schedule from January 23th through 29th as the NHL & AHL All Star Games are on the horizon. The Stars have only 1 game this week as the league will officially go on it's All Star Break after Wednesday Night. After the NHL Goes on All Star Break. The Fantsay Draft will be on Thrusday Night January 26, while the Super Skills Competition on the 28th and the All Star Game from Ottawa, Ontario will take place Sunday Afternoon on January 29. All the NHL All Star Break Festivities will be on NBC Sports Network.

In addition to the NHL All Star Break, the American Hockey League will also be having their All Star Break on 1/29-30 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, it will be a very busy week leading into the All Star Break as all 4 Regional Teams will be playing twice in an all Regional Weekend to minimize travel prior to the event on Friday & Saturday. The Division Leading Oklahoma City Barons will look to head into the All Star Break with a big lead as they currently lead the Aeros by 5 points right now.

While the rest of the Western Conference is in a very tight battle where the gap from 6th Place Milwaukee to last Place Rockford is just 7 points right now. San Antonio sits in the 8th & Final Playoff Spot right now, while the Texas Stars are just 3 points back in 10th Place and have won 3 in a row as the Stars are beginning to click despite numerous call ups to the Dallas Stars like Matt Fraser who was called up just yesterday. Fraser was a free agent signee after a strong 5 Year WHL Career with the Kootenay Ice & a little bit with the Red Deer Rebels early on where he scored 74 points in 66 games (36G 38A) to help play a major role in the Kootenay Ice winning the WHL Championship last year.

Both games on Friday Night will be important for both races. In Oklahoma City, the Barons & Aeros will look to sway the Division Race in their direction in Oklahoma City. While Texas & San Antonio will faceoff in at the AT&T Center to get into the Division Race. A Texas win could see the Stars & Rampage tied for the 8th & Final Playoff spot in the AHL Western Conference right now. While a San Antonio Win could get them battaling with Milwaukee & Chicago battaling for 6th right now.

As for the Milwaukee Admirals, they will be playing Peoria on Tuesday (Away), Chicago on Friday (Home) & Rockford on Saturday (Away). The Chicago Wolves will also have a trio of games with a pair of games against Abbotsford on both Tuesday & Wednesday (Both Road), then will head to Milwaukee to play Chicago on Friday (Road).

Elsewhere across the Southwest will be the Allen Americans will begin a stretch on Tuesday Night where they will be at the Allen Event Center for 9 of their next 10 Games (Their only Road game is against the Texas Brahmas). They will be looking to finish off the Arizona Sundogs where they won a pair of 1 goal games over the weekend (4-3 on Friday & 2-1 on Saturday) and look to take over the Wichita Thunder for the Southern Conference Lead which will come into the spotlight on Friday Night. The battle for the 3rd & 4th Spots in the South will also be on the line when the Texas Brahmas & Tulsa Oilers will go head-to-head from NYTEX Sports Center.

The Junior Ranks will have a very busy weekend with Corpus Christi contuning to put their lead against the Wichita Falls Wildcats after the Wildcats sweeped the Ice Rays last weekend with 4-2 & 2-1 wins. While the Fresno Monsters will make a rare trip to the South as they will take on the Tornado on Friday Night & the Amarillo Bulls on Saturday Night this weekend.

For the Western States Hockey League, it's a very busy weekend with 1st Place on the line with the El Paso Rhinos hosting the Park City Moose who is currently last in the Rocky Mountain Conference. While the Ice Jets are going to host the San Diego Gulls who are looking to seperate themselves from the rest of the pack for 2nd Place in the West Coast Division with the Fresno Monsters running away with the Division with a 21 point lead right now. Also the Texas Jr. Brahmas & New Mexico Renegades will faceoff in Rio Rancho, New Mexico while the Dallas Snipers will travel to Utah to play the Ogden Mustangs.

National Hockey League

1/24: Anaheim Ducks VS. Dallas Stars  7:30 PM (FSN Southwest)

1/26: NHL All Star Fantsay Draft

1/28: NHL Super Skills Competition

1/29: NHL All Star Game

American Hockey League

1/27

Houston Aeros VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Texas Stars VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

1/28

Texas Stars VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

1/29: AHL Skills Competition 3:00 PM

1/30: AHL All Star Game  7:00 PM

Central Hockey League

1/24: Arizona Sundogs VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

1/27

Wichita Thunder VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

Tulsa Oilers VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:30 PM

1/28

Tulsa Oilers VS. Wichita Thunder  7:05 PM

RGV Killer Bees VS. Allen Americans  7:05 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

1/29

Laredo Bucks VS. Tulsa Oilers  4:05 PM

RGV Killer Bees VS. Allen Americans  5:05 PM

North American Hockey League

1/26: Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:05 PM

1/27

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:05 PM

Amarillo Bulls VS. Odessa Jackalopes  7:05 PM

New Mexico Mustangs VS. Topeka Roadrunners  7:05 PM

Fresno Monsters VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

1/28

Fresno Monsters VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Odessa Jackalopes  7:05 PM

New Mexico Mustangs VS. Topeka Roadrunners  7:05 PM

1/29: Odessa Jackalopes VS. Amarillo Bulls  6:00 PM


Western States Hockey League

1/26: Park City Moose VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM


1/27

San Diego Gulls VS. Dallas Ice Jets  7:00 PM

Texas Jr. Brahmas VS. New Mexico Renegades  8:30 PM

Dallas Snipers VS. Ogden Mustangs  7:30 PM

Park City Moose VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM


1/28

San Diego Gulls VS. Dallas Ice Jets  6:00 PM

Texas Jr. Brahmas VS. New Mexico Renegades  8:30 PM

Dallas Snipers VS. Ogden Mustangs  7:30 PM

Park City Moose VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM


1/29

Dallas Snipers VS. Ogden Mustangs  11:00 AM

San Diego Gulls VS. Dallas Ice Jets  1:00 PM

Texas Jr. Brahmas VS. New Mexico Renegades  2:00 PM

This weeks Southwest Hockey Schedule 1/16-22

Here's a look at this weeks Southwest Schedule as different All Star Games are coming up. Beginning with the United States Hockey League (USHL) Top Prospects Game which is coming up on January 24.

The Dallas Stars have been delivered a massive blow with All Star Center Jamie Benn having an emergency appendectomy to really make it tough over the next couple of weeks without the team's top centers in Mike Riberio & Jamie Benn. As for this weeks schedule, a brief road trip to St. Louis to take on the Blues tonight, followed by a pair of home games against the Detroit Red Wings & Tampa Bay Lightning this week as the Stars will have to be extremely Pesky (Note the Nick Name Pesky Stars) over the next couple of weeks as they will have to rely on being successful in lowing scoring games coming up.

They will wrap up this weeks schedule with their 2nd to last game of the Pre All Star Game Schedule with a short road trip to the Minnesota Wild coming up on January 2. When the Dallas Stars return from the All-Star Game on February 1st against the Anaheim Ducks, the Stars will have just 34 games remaining in the season as they will look to gain ground on a very tight group from 6th Place Nashville to 12th Place Calgary is just 7 points right now.

National Hockey League

1/16: Dallas Stars VS. St. Louis Blues  6:30 PM (NBC Sports Network)

1/17: Detroit Red Wings VS. Dallas Stars (FSN Southwest)

1/20: Tampa Bay Lightning VS. Dallas Stars (FSN Southwest)

1/21: Dallas Stars VS. Minnesota Wild  (KTXA 21)

American Hockey League

1/16

Texas Stars VS. Rockford Ice Hogs  1:05 PM

Abbotsford Heat VS. San Antonio Rampage  4:00 PM

1/18: Texas Stars VS. Chicago Wolves  7:00 PM

1/19: Oklahoma City Barons VS. Rochester Americans 6:35 PM

1/20

Oklahoma City Barons VS. Rochester Americans  6:35 PM

Peoria Rivermen VS. Texas Stars  7:30 PM

San Antonio Rampage VS. Houston Aeros  7:35 PM

1/21

Oklahoma City Barons VS. Lake Erie Monsters  6:30 PM

Peoria Rivermen VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Texas Stars  7:00 PM

1/22

San Antonio Rampage VS. Houston Aeros  5:05 PM

Central Hockey League

1/16: Tulsa Oilers VS. Allen Americans  1:00 PM

1/17

Missouri Mavericks VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:05 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:00 PM

1/18

Texas Brahmas VS. Laredo Bucks  7:00 PM

1/20

Tulsa Oilers VS. Ft. Wayne Koments 6:30 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

RGV Killer Bees VS. Laredo Bucks  7:30 PM

Allen Americans VS. Arizona Sundogs  8:05 PM

1/21

RGV Killer Bees VS. Laredo Bucks  4:00 PM

Tulsa Oilers VS. Ft. Wayne Komets  6:30 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. Texas Brahmas  7:30 PM

Allen Americans VS. Arizona Sundogs  8:05 PM

1/22

Texas Brahmas VS. Wichita Thunder  5:05 PM

Tulsa Oilers VS. Evansville Ice Men  5:15 PM

North American Hockey League

1/20

Texas Tornado VS. Topeka Roadrunners  7:05 PM

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats  7:05 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. New Mexico Mustangs  8:30 PM

1/21

Texas Tornado VS. Topeka Roadrunners  7:05 PM

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats  7:05 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. New Mexico Mustangs  8:30 PM

1/22: Odessa Jackalopes VS. New Mexico Mustangs  2:00 PM

Western States Hockey League

1/20

New Mexico Renegades VS. Idaho Jr. Steelheads  8:00 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Cheyenne Stampede  7:35 PM

1/21

Dallas Snipers VS. Texas Brahmas  2:00 PM

New Mexico Renegades VS. Idaho Jr. Steelheads  7:00 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Cheyenne Stampede  7:35 PM

1/22

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Cheyenne Stampede  11:30 AM

New Mexico Renegades VS. Idaho Jr. Steelheads  12:00 PM

New Mexico comes back to win 3-2 in SO

On a night where the Rhinos could have officially tied the Ice Jets for the Mid-West Division Lead following the 3 game sweep, a plucky and aggressive New Mexico Team came back from a 2-0 deficit in the 3rd period to get the game tied and then win in a SO.

Despite the Rhinos SO Loss, this takes the Ice Jets within a single point of the Mid-West Division Leading Ice Jets, and they will have a prime opportunity to take the Division Lead both Tonight & Tomorrow Night with 2 more games against the Renegades this weekend. Both Games Friday & Saturday Night will be taking place at 7:30 PM MST (8:30 PM CST).

They are taking advantage of both the series sweep again the Ice Jets and the fact that the Ice Jets have this weekend off by using their 2 games in hand to great use right now.

Current WSHL Mid-West Division Standings.

1. Dallas Ice Jets  30 GP  20-6-4  44 PTS  125-79

2. El Paso Rhinos 29 GP  21-7-1  43 PTS  162-95

3. Texas Jr. Brahmas  26 GP  15-10-1  31 PTS  111-93

4. New Mexico Renegades  26 GP  13-11-2  28 PTS  93-96

5. Dallas Snipers  32 GP  3-29-0  6 PTS  95-213

New Mexico Renegades 3 El Paso Rhinos 2  (SO) (0-1, 0-1, 2-0, 0-0, 1-0)

El Paso Rhinos Press Release by Duke Keith

Here's the New Mexico Renegades Press Release

From El Paso, Texas: Thirty one seconds.

Leading 2-0 over a scrappy New Mexico Renegades Team in the third period, the El Paso Rhinos went to sleep at the switch for just 31 seconds. That's all it took for the Renegades to tie the game, then beat their hosts in a shootout, 3-2.

New Mexico's Adam Moon deflected a fluke goal in off a draw at 3:41. Out of a fracas right after the goal, El Paso team captain Mike Rivera was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct.

After going 0-8 with the man advantage through the prior two periods. Renegades forward Matt Uvodich broke into the Rhinos Zone between two defenders and lifted a low wrister just over the pad of El Paso Goalie Trent Casper for the power play goal at 4:12.

Embolden by the tie, New Mexico circled the wagon behind goaltender Eric Messer, not letting in another Rhinos goal through the rest of regulation, all of the five minute overtime, and even the shootout.

Though it won't show up in the stats, Messer also stopped all four Rhinos shooters in the SO, when Michael Pisarevsky rendered the fifth shooter unnecessary by the scoring New Mexico's second shootout goal.

Messer stopped 42 of 44 shots for his 10th win in net and New Mexico improves to 13-11-2. The Renegades 28 points put them just 3 points behind the Texas Brahmas for third place in the Mid-West Conference of the Western States Hockey League.

The loss is El Paso's (21-7-1, 43 Points) first in overtime or shootout this season, thus the Rhinos miss an opportunity to the Ice Jets (20-6-4  44 PTS) atop the Mid-West Conference for the first time this season.

They'll have another opportunity Friday & Saturday Night, as El Paso & New Mexico play twice more, at 7:30 PM MST both nights.

For tickets & Info, contact the Rhinos front office at 915-479-PUCK (7825) or go to www.elpasorhinos.com





Dallas Ice Jets El Paso Rhinos Photos

The Western States Hockey League, as well as both the El Paso Rhinos VS. Dallas Ice Jets WSHL Series over the weekend at Polar Ice House in Grapevine over the weekend.

Dallas Ice Jets VS. El Paso Rhinos Series Photos

El Paso completes sweep with 5-4 SO Victory

El Paso Rhinos 5  Dallas Ice Jets 4  (SO) (2-1, 1-2, 1-1, 0-0, 1-0)

It was a perfect 3-for-3 this weekend for the Rhinos as they came into Sunday Afternoon's Series Finale against the Ice Jets looking to come as close as one point in the race for the WSHL's Mid-West Division Lead. Even though the Ice Jets looked better in this game then on Saturday Night; It was still the Rhinos that got off to a fast start with a strong wrist shot from the right faceoff circle at just 54 seconds into the game, with assists coming from Tobias Pehrson & Matthew Tritsch got the assists off the faceoff which helped Nelson which broke a 5 game scoreless streak which goes back to the WSHL Holiday Showcase in Las Vegas when they played the Boulder Bison.

That quick goal allowed the Rhinos to control the early portions of this game with their speed and most of the Rhinos players hitting everything one and everything in sight, in addition a strong defense that kept the Ice Jets down to 6 shots for the entire 1st period. The Rhinos continued to control the 1st period by playing some strong defense on the Ice Jets 1st 2 PP Chances with a High Sticking Penalty to Gunnar Bjorklund & an Interference Penalty against Craig Hanisch that they were able to take advantage to build momentum, to eventually lead to get the Rhinos 1-0 lead. One of the best chances for the Ice Jets  in the 1st part of the game was a great breakaway that Blake Blaha was able to generate and was almost able to beat Brandon Smolarek on a Breakaway Backhand Chance just past the midway point in the 1st period.

Another folied chance came just a few minutes later when Sam Akins couldn't control what would have been a booming slap shot with traffic in front of the net .

Despite the chances, the SOG were much lower and much more even. Late in the 1st period exploded with activity with the Rhinos Dallas Szustak converting a low wrist shot to make it, 2-0 Rhinos at 16:37, with a great pass from Trey Hughes near the faceoff dot. This was a great example of making the best of their scoring chances that the Rhinos have done a great job of all weekend which was one of the biggest differences to make the Rhinos win all 3 games in this series. Tobias Pehrson also got his 2nd assist of the 1st period who's had one of his better performances of the weekend.

Just a minute later, Blaha & Craig Hanisch dropped the gloves immediately to get a short fight in where both players went to the Box for fighting. It seemed to inspire the Ice Jets who just 24 seconds later, Jefferson Wright scored his 15th of the season on a spin-o-rama shot with 2:05 left in the 1st period to cut the El Paso lead in half. The Rhinos went into the break at 2-1, but the Ice Jets were looking more inspired and into the game following the goal.

That momentum wouldn't last long though as the Rhinos scored at 3:10 as Nicholas Shadow's  went through Scoggin's legs to restore the 2 goal lead on a great orginial shot by Kyle Stephens that the Rhinos were able to crash the net as Basham took the puck and slipped the pass to Shadow to put in the upper corner of the net. Just a minute later, Grant Williams scored his 3rd goal in his debut weekend after coming from the Austin Bruins in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), thanks to Hudson set him up on the 2-on-1 that had Rhinos Goalie Brandon Smolarek scrambling and basically with no chance to stop and to cut it back to a one game at 3-2 early on in the 2nd period.

After that, it was a collection of penalties that mucked up the game with that included a pair of scrums and matching minors when Johnny Henson & Trey Hughes at 5:02, then just a minute later, another scrum had the players bunched up along the boards in the neutral zone which had Tommy Mines & Joesph Matyaszek for the Ice Jets penalized for Roughing, while Rhinos Forward Tyler Basham was penalized for Unsportsmanlike Conduct as well.

Despite the Rhinos PP, the Ice Jets did a good job of being able to prevent the Rhinos PP from getting set up and build their lead. After another Ice Jets Penalty by James Barnett for a Delay of Game penalty, the team took advantage of a great turnover forced by Tommy Mines he was able to pass it to Dan Hudson where he was able to score on a backhanded goal at 16:08 to tie the game for the 1st time at 3-3.

With the SOG tied at 21 & and a 3-3 hockey game, it was felt that it was anyone's hockey game going into the 3rd period.

However, the Rhinos scored in the Opening Minute of the 3rd period with David Nelson scoring his 2nd goal of the game just 46 seconds into the 3rd period when Nelson got a great snap shot off to make it, 4-3, where the Rhinos were once again able to wrestle momentum again in the early parts of the 3rd period.

After a mostly uneventful 3rd period with only 1 penalty and some hits for both teams kept it 4-3. One of the more eventful moments came when Thomas Scoggin was rammed by the Rhinos offense where it looked like the Ice Jets Goalie could have been hurt, but he stayed in the game and helped keep the Rhinos in the game late in the 3rd & into OT where the Ice Jets stayed in the game. With 6:10 left in the 3rd period, a Johnny Henson breakaway set up by Sam Akins tied the game at 4-4 which helped get the game to OT.

In the OT, Ice Jets Goalie Thomas Scoggin helped keep the Ice Jets in this game as the Rhinos were able to out shoot the Ice Jets 7-2 in the extra period to force a SO with the Rhinos completing the OT out shooting the Jets 38-30 during the 65 minutes.

Despite getting to the SO, none of the Ice Jets Shooters were able to get it past Smolarek. While Rhinos shooters Dallas Szustak & Eric Miller helped the Rhinos win the SO 2-0 to earn a 5-4 SO Win for the Rhinos.

Ice Jets Goalie Michael Baldwin stopped just 4 of 6 shots in the 1st period before getting pulled at 16:37 mark of the 1st period. Michael Baldwin was able to make 29-of-31 shots in the SOL. While Smolarek stopped 26 of 30 shots to earn his 3rd win of the weekend.

The Ice Jets will have some time to think about this rough weekend as the Jets have next week off; nd will hit the ice again from January 20-22 in Wyoming to play the Cheyenne Stampede. Their next home series will be from January 27-29 when they host the San Diego Seagulls.

While the Rhinos will host the New Mexico Renegades at the Sierra Providence Events Center in El Paso from January 12-14. For the Rhinos to take over the Ice Jets for the Mid-West Division Lead, they need to get at least 3 out of a possible 6 points; which would have to go 1-1-1 or better next weekend.

Elsewhere across the WSHL on Sunday, the Valencia Flyers used a scoring barrage to beat the Ogden Mustangs, 12-3. This was a game where everybody was getting involved in the offense with 15 players scoring at least a point. Including a 4 Goal Game from Josiah Habighorst.

Also despite having a better performance in Southern California, the Long Beach Bombers were able to still beat the Dallas Snipers 5-4 to earn a 3 game sweep. For the Snipers, they will face the Texas Jr. Brahmas on January 21 at NYTEX Sports Center.

Southwest Regional Hockey Schedule for 1/9-15

Here's a look at this week's Southwest Regional Hockey Schedule coming up this week. As always, if you have questions or comments about what's going on this week at the Professional, Junior & AAA Hockey Levels. If you have any questions or comments regarding any of the games this week, use the hash tag #SWHockey & use the Twitter name @tanman9.

The Stars are on the road in Southern California this week with games in Anaheim & Los Angeles coming up on Tuesday & Thursday as the team looks to eat into San Jose's Pacific Division Lead which is just 3 points, but at the same time be able to gain a lead on both the LA Kings who is currently tied for 2nd in the Division. And just 2 points ahead of the Phoenix Coyotes right now with 45 right now, so this would be a good time to gain some ground on both fronts.

As for the San Jose Sharks are also on the road against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, Winnipeg Jets on Thursday Night & the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday Evening as well. Fortunately for the Sharks it's against teams that are closer to the bottom of the league as Columbus is dead last in the Western Conference & a Winnipeg Jets team who has been red hot right now which them currently in 9th place just 1 point back of Pittsburgh for the 8th & Final Playoff Spot in the Eastern Conference right now.

They will wrap up the week on Saturday Afternoon against the Colorado Avalanche. The team will also officially reach the half way point of the Regular Season and the run to the NHL All Star Break which will go from January 26-30 this year, with the Skills Competition on Saturday the 28 & the All Star Game it self will be on January 29 this season from the from the Scotiabank Center in Ottawa, Ontario.

The American Hockey League Teams will have on of their busier weeks of the season so far today as the Aeros will go on the Northern Part of their 4 Game Road trip after beating the San Antonio Rampage 4-3 yesterday with the help of a 2nd period surge with the help of Aeros Power Play Goals from Kris Foucault & Jon Disalvatore to help beat San Antonio and are back tied with the Abbotsford Heat for 2nd in the West Division & are just 3 points back of the Western Conference Leading Oklahoma City Barons.

Speaking of the Western Conference Leading OKC Barons, they have a 3 game in 3 night home stretch this weekend; which will include a pair of games against the Abbotsford Heat on Saturday Night & Sunday Afternoon with the West Division Lead likely on the line. It will depend however on how the Heat will do against the San Antonio Rampage on Tuesday Night & the Texas Stars on Wednesday Night to determine how much 'Heat' will be on the Barons to help protect the lead. It should be a pair of fiesty games for the Division Lead.

Back in November, the Barons & Heat split a weekend series with a pair of 4-1 games between the two teams. The Barons lead Abbotsford by 3 Points going into this week. In addition to the two games against Abbotsford, they will play the Rockford Ice Hogs who are currently dead last in the Western Conference

As for the American Hockey League All Star Game, it will be taking place on January 29 & 30 at the Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City, N.J. You can see the info on this year's event here and info on this year's roster here.

Saturday Night will be extremely busy for the AHL Teams as all 4 teams are in action against separate opponents. Texas is in Wisconsin to play the Milwaukee Admirals, Abbotsford will host the Oklahoma City Barons, the Houston Aeros are in Illinois to play the Peoria Rivermen and the Rampage hosting the Rockford Ice Hogs.

Elsewhere around the region on Thursday & Friday Night will have a critical battle for the 4th & Final Playoff spot in the South Division as the Odessa Jackalopes & Corpus Christi Icerays will play each other at the American Bank Center. The Icerays are currently leading for the 4th Spot by 4 points, so the Jackalopes will need to win both games in regulation to get to a tie for 4th.

The League will also have the Topeka Roadrunners & Amarillo Bulls each other as the Roadrunners are looking to overtake the Tornado for 2nd Place who have lost their lost 3; and allowed the Roadrunners to get within 2 points of 2nd Place and what would be 1st Round Home Ice in the NAHL Robertson Cup Playoffs.

In the Western States Hockey League, after a 3 game sweep of the Dallas Ice Jets in Grapevine over the weekend. The Rhinos have a chance to take the Mid-West Division Lead as the Rhinos will host the New Mexico Renegades this weekend. El Paso needs to get at least 3 of a possible 6 points to take the Division Lead which would at least be a win, an OT Loss & Regulation Loss or better this weekend.

Finally, it's a very busy weekend for U16AAA & U18AAA Teams with the MLK Weekend coming up.

At the U18 Level, The Dallas Stars Elites will head to Denver to play the Rocky Mountain Teams in their Tier 1 Elite League Showcase. The Ice Jets & Alliance Bulldogs will head to the High Performance Hockey League Showcase in Chicago. Finally the Texas Tornado U18 & U16 Teams will be in Troy, Michigan (just outside of Detroit) for one of the final NAPHL Regular Season.

The U16 Level will have the Stars Elites heading to Hingham, Mass (Just outside Boston). The Ice Jets will also be at the HPHL Showcase to play Shattuck St. Mary's as well as a trio of Detroit Powerhouses in Compuware, Honeybaked & Little Caesars during the MLK Weekend as well.

The TAHA State Tournament gets underway a month from tomorrow. So some teams who are going to looking to qualify for the Tier 2 State Tournament in Mid February will be looking to get in position to qualifiy for the Tournament next month.

Here's the Video & Audio Links where you can watch & Listen to games on line.

All Start Times on here are CST.

Here's this week's schedule

National Hockey League

1/10:  Dallas Stars VS. Anaheim Ducks  9:00 PM (FSNSW+)

1/12: Dallas Stars VS. Los Angeles Kings  9:30 PM (FSNSW)

1/14: Colorado Avalanche VS. Dallas Stars  2:00 PM  (FSNSW & NHLN US)

American Hockey League

1/10: Abbotsford Heat VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

1/11

Houston Aeros VS. Grand Rapids Griffins  6:00 PM

Abbotsford Heat VS. Texas Stars  7:30 PM

1/13

Texas Stars VS. Grand Rapids Griffins  6:00 PM

Rockford Ice Hogs VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Peoria Rivermen  7:00 PM

1/14

Texas Stars VS. Milwaukee Admirals  7:00 PM

Abbotsford Heat VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Peoria Rivermen  7:00 PM

Rockford Ice Hogs VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

1/15: Abbotsford Heat VS. Oklahoma City Barons  4:00 PM

Central Hockey League

1/13

Allen Americans VS. Missouri Mavericks  7:05 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:30 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Arizona Sundogs  8:05 PM

1/14

Texas Brahmas VS. RGV Killer Bees  7:30 PM

Allen Americans VS. Tulsa Oilers  7:35 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Arizona Sundogs  8:05 PM

1/15: RGV Killer Bees VS. Texas Brahmas  5:00 PM

North American Hockey League

1/12: Odessa Jackalopes VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:05 PM

1/13

Topeka Roadrunners VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:05 PM

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

1/14

Topeka Roadrunners VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

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

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Texas Tornado  7:30 PM

1/15

Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. New Mexico Mustangs  2:00 PM

Texas Tornado VS. Corpus Christi Icearys  3:05 PM

Western States Hockey League

1/13: New Mexico Renegades VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM

1/14: New Mexico Renegades VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM

1/15: New Mexico Renegades VS. El Paso Rhinos  5:30 PM

U18AAA

1/13

Texas Tornado VS. Omaha AAA Lancers  12:00 PM

1/14

Wenatchee Wild VS. Texas Tornado  8:00 AM

Dallas Alliance Bulldogs VS. Culver Academy  1:40 PM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Rocky Mountain Roughriders  2:00 PM

Texas Tornado VS. San Jose Jr. Sharks  4:15 PM

Dallas Alliance Bulldogs VS. Chicago Young Americans  8:40 PM

1/15

West Michigan Hounds VS. Texas Tornado  8:15 AM

Dallas Alliance Bulldogs VS. Honeybaked  10:40 AM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Russell Stover  12:15 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Team Illinois  12:40 PM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Colorado Thunderbirds  6:30 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Chicago Mission  7:20 PM

1/16

Dallas Ice Jets VS. Honeybaked

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Colorado Rampage 12:30 PM

U16AAA

1/13

Orange County VS. Texas Tornado  2:15 PM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Ohio Blue Jackets  11:00 AM

1/14

Texas Tornado VS. Indiana Jr. Ice  10:00 AM

Pittsburgh Hornets VS. Dallas Stars Elites  5:20 PM

Shattuck St. Mary VS. Dallas Ice Jets  7:50 PM

1/15

Compuware VS. Dallas Ice Jets  11:40 AM

Phoenix Firebirds VS. Texas Tornado  12:00 PM

Honeybaked VS. Dallas Ice Jets  6:20 PM

TPH Thunder VS. Dallas Stars Elites  9:20 PM

1/16

Texas Tornado VS. Pikes Peak Miners  6:00 AM

Buffalo Jr. Sabres VS. Dallas Stars Elites  7:00 AM

Little Caesars VS. Dallas Ice Jets  8:40 AM


TAHA Tier 2 State Tournament Qualifiers

U18

1/11

GM1 :DJHA-Kowall VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  7:45 PM

GM1: Dallas Stars Selects VS. Alliance Bulldogs  8:00 PM


U16

1/14

GM1: Houston Hitmen VS. Texas Aces  1:30 PM

GM2: Texas Aces VS. Houston Hitmen  7:30 PM

1/15

GM3: Houston Hitmen VS. Texas Aces  8:50 AM


U14

1/12

GM2: Allen Jr. Americans VS. Dallas Ice Jets  7:30 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.