Albuquerque, NM – The Amarillo Wranglers defeated the New Mexico Ice Wolves on Friday night by the score of 3-2. This was the first meeting between the two clubs this season.
Connor McDonough made his 14th start of the season for the Wranglers, coming into the game he had a record of 8-4-1, with a 2.38 GAA and a .907 save percentage. Jackson Fuller started in goal for New Mexico, having a record of 4-2-2, a 2.44 GAA, and a .926 save percentage. This was the first game of a two-game set at Outpost Ice Arenas, and the first of four meetings between Amarillo and New Mexico this season.
The Wranglers had a few power play chances in the opening moments of the game and were generating scoring chances, but were unable to capitalize on the man advantage. With 2:44 remaining in the first period in a 4 on 4 situation, Connor McNaughton buried his seventh goal of the year to give the Wranglers a 1-0 lead. Drew Jeffers picked up the lone assist on the goal in which he found McNaughton blazing into the slot from the right side for the goal. After 20 minutes of play, the Wranglers took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission, leading the shot count 6-4.
New Mexico wasted no time tying the game up in the second period, as just 42 seconds in the period Rasmus Leijonhielm scored to tie the game up at 1-1. Leijonhielm’s goal was unassisted. The second period saw both teams skate 4 on 4 again and each had another power play chance, but ultimately the rest of the period was scoreless. Tied 1-1 at the second intermission, the shot count was 15-13 in favor of New Mexico.
Amarillo burst out of the gate to start the third period when Jack Ivey scored his eleventh goal of the year from Jack McDonald and Ben Ivey to give the Wranglers a 2-1 lead just 20 seconds into the final frame. The Wranglers added to their lead just 4:08 afterward when Alex Papaspyropoulos connected with Roman Zap on a bang-bang play to make the score 3-1. A late comeback attempt by New Mexico saw Ryan Seelinger score on the power play with the goalie pulled to cut the Wranglers lead in half – but Amarillo was able to hang on to the 3-2 victory.
Connor McDonough made some timely saves to pick up his ninth win of the year. Amarillo improved to 11-6-0-1 and now has 23 points on the year. Seven different Wranglers skaters picked up a point tonight. Connor McNaughton now has a goal in each of his last three games and has 3 goals and 2 assists in his last four games.
Amarillo will look to sweep the road trip tomorrow when they take on the Ice Wolves at 7:30 CST. You can catch all the action on NATV or listen in on the Wranglers YouTube channel.