The Wranglers lost in a nailbiter on Friday night 3-2, followed by a 5-1 loss on Saturday. The Wranglers still sit in fifth place with a record of 25-21-1-1 with 53 points, eight points behind the New Mexico Ice Wolves.
Friday’s Recap
The Amarillo Wranglers came into the sold-out Georges Pond in Hirsch Coliseum on a four-game winning streak, outscoring their recent opponents, 20-6. The Mudbugs took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. At the 2:30 mark of the second period, Wranglers Forward Ronan Walsh was able to tie it up with his 11th goal of the season. Going into the third period, the pressure and the excitement of the sold-out crowd was miserable. University of New Hampshire commit, and Wranglers Forward Connor McNaughton scored his ninth goal of the season to make things interesting, but to no avail. Amarillo fell in this heartbreaker 3-2.
Saturday’s Recap
The Wranglers, hungry to avenge Friday night’s disappointing loss, ran into a buzz saw. The Mudbugs were able to march into George’s Pond as they defeated the Wranglers 5-1. Bentley College commit and Wranglers Captain Chase Davis scored Amarillo’s only goal of the night.
Playoff scenarios
Amarillo currently has 53 points, eight points behind the New Mexico Ice Wolves for the fourth and final playoff position in the North American Hockey League South Division. With 11 games to play and five games against opponents that currently are in front of the Wranglers, Amarillo needs help from the Lone Star Brahmas, Oklahoma City Warriors and ironically enough the Odessa Jackalopes for Amarillo to make the playoffs. With four home games left and the last two games of the season being on the road against Odessa, these games could and should have playoff implications. The Wranglers are still in the hunt but will need some help.
Next Up
The Wranglers travel to Oklahoma City to take on the league leading Warriors, in a rare three-game series at the Blazer Ice Center on Thursday through Saturday. Please watch for Tommy Tee’s weekly Wranglers update and also catch Tommy at 5 p.m. Thursday evenings on the “Drive at Five” with a Lance Lahnert on the Panhandle Sports Star (102.9-F.M.)
