Odessa, Tx- The Wranglers took over the top spot in the division following an 8-to-2 victory over the Jackalopes Friday night.
The visiting Wranglers would break the ice early when Logan Cleary deflected a Michael Spinner point shot on the powerplay at the 3:24 mark of the opening period. The game would be delayed twice in the period for glass repairs and the Jackalopes would use the delay to jump on Amarillo and generate scoring chances. The Jackalopes would tie the game with a shorthanded goal by Trevor Taulien at the 12:54 mark of the period.
Odessa would grab their first lead early in the second period when Ryan Kusler beat Max Gutjahr just 1:52 into the period. The lead would be shortlived when Kristaps Skrastins scored his 12th goal of the season on a shorthanded breakaway to tie the game at 2-to-2. Just moments later Amarillo would reclaim their lead with a 3-on-0 chance and goal from Oliver Bezick at the 8:58 mark of the second period.
The goal scoring would continue for Amarillo when Jakob Peterson would net his first goal of the season with a seeing-eye shot from the point to open up a two-goal advantage. With under five minutes remaining, Ben Oakland would find the back of the net for his first goal of the season giving Amarillo a 5-to-2 lead. On a two-man advantage, Tommy Chunchukov would beat Will Procter to give the Wranglers a 6-to-2 lead going into the second intermission.
Cleary would score his second of the game on a rebound goal on the powerplay for the Wranglers’ seventh goal of the night and another powerplay tally just 2:25 into the third. The Wranglers would get one more goal this time from Mason Hendrickson at the 7:12 mark. Hendrickson would collect his first goal and point as a Wrangler to give Amarillo an 8-to-2 advantage on the scoreboard.
Gutjahr would shut the door and earn his 10th win of the season and win his seventh consecutive game. The Wranglers claim the top spot in the south division with a 12-and-4 record. Amarillo will look for another sweep on the road Saturday night at 7:15.