The Amarillo Wranglers split a recent two-game series against the Oklahoma Warriors this past weekend at the Budweiser Bullpen.

Amarillo was victorious in Friday night’s scoring bonanza 6-4, then the Warriors won the finale 2-1 on Saturday.

Amarillo is sitting at 16-21-2–2 with a total of 36 points, six points out of the sixth and final playoff spot of the North American Hockey League’s South Division, with 18 games left to play in the regular season.

Amarillo returns the favor with Oklahoma, making the trip down I-40 for a two-game series with the Warriors in Oklahoma City, Okla., this weekend.

Friday’s games

With a large and enthusiastic crowd that gathered at the Budweiser Bullpen this Friday night, Amarillo struck first with a scrappy and nasty goal executed by Caden Hegarty, giving Amarillo the 1-0 lead at the 14:20 mark of the first period. Two minutes later, Ukrainian Danylo Dolin found the back of the net, giving Amarillo a 2-0 lead midway through the first period. With 11 seconds left in the first period, Warriors Keaton Martin got the bounce he needed to bring the score to 2-1 going into the first break.

The second period saw complete domination from the Wranglers and specifically from the line that is affectionately known as “Hegs and the Hounds.”

This line consists of Caden Hegarty, Daniel Rassega and Ty Izadi. Hegarty was able to score 3 goals with the assist coming from his line mates from all of the goals scored for Amarillo in this second period. Hegarty notched his first hat trick of his NAHL career and put some icing on the cake with his fourth goal in the third period. With outstanding goaltending from newly acquired goalie Casimir Weckstrom, Amarillo added to their lead with a score of 5–1 going into the final intermission.

The Oklahoma Warriors made this game very interesting by scoring three goals within three and a half minutes in the third period. With momentum squarely resting on the backs of the Oklahoma Warriors, recent college-commit Amarillo Wrangler Jake Boulanger launched a tactical guided missile that hit the back of the net causing seismic waves to affect the Richter scale, giving Amarillo a 6-4 lead, with nine minutes left in the game.

Weckstrom was able to find his bearings and stood on his head for the rest of this game, especially when Warriors head coach Nate Weossner pulled his goalie with two and a half minutes left in the game. The Wranglers were able to close out this game 6-4, notching their second victory in as many weekends.

Amarillo goalie Casimir Weckstrom saved 32 of 36 shots, taking him to a record of 2–0 as an Amarillo Wrangler.

The line affectionately known as “Hegs and the Hounds” were announced as the Three Stars of the Game.

First Star Hegarty, Second Star Rassega and Third Star Izadi- a first in Amarillo Wranglers history. Caden Hegarty tied a single game goal scoring record of four held by current University of New Hampshire Division I hockey player/Latvian Kristaps Skrastins. Skrastins scored four goals in his very first game played for the Amarillo Wranglers in their debut season. He also scored a hat trick in the very next game.

Saturday’s games

Hot off their impressive victory against the Warriors the previous night, Amarillo looked to continue their winning and points streak this Saturday night at the Budweiser Bullpen. Under the watchful eye of a large and boisterous crowd, Amarillo hit the ice with a new energy and a winning streak. 

The Warriors struck within the first two minutes of the first period when forward Mac Blue scored his 6th goal of the season, giving Oklahoma the early 1-0 lead. The first period saw Coast to Coast hockey with a slathering of chippiness as the Warriors held onto the 1-0 lead going into the first intermission.

Defense was the name of the game in the second period when, at the 9:28 mark, hot stick handler Caden Hegarty fought, scratched, and clawed the puck into the net to score his fifth goal of the weekend, tying this game up. The score remained 1–1 going into the final break.

With Amarillo goalie Gavin Schahn between the pipes and playing fantastic hockey with five minutes left in the game and on the power-play, newly acquired Oklahoma Warrior Alexander Duhon scored his 3rd goal of the season for Oklahoma, giving the Warriors a 2-1 lead.

Neither team scored again in the third period. Amarillo was able to pull their goalie with 1:16 left in the game, but to no avail as a Warriors ended the winning and point streak for the Amarillo Wranglers.

As the result of his five goal weekend, Amarillo Wrangler Caden Hegarty was recognized as the Second Star of the Week in the NAHL South Division.

Top Prospects Tournament

The 19th annual NAHL Top Prospect Tournament will be held Feb. 16th and 17th at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich. This tournament consists of 17 teams of top uncommitted NAHL players. The event showcases elite talent for NCAA and NHL scouts. The tournament is heavily attended by NCAA D1 and D3 coaches along with NHL scouts to finalize recruitment for the following season.

This season’s Amarillo Wranglers representatives are forwards Caden Hegarty, Daniel Rassega and Alfons Jentler. We here at Press Pass Sports congratulate these outstanding hockey players and wish them the best of luck.

Editor’s Note

Please listen for Tommy T‘s weekly recap of Amarillo Wranglers hockey on the “Drive at Five” with Lance Lahnert every Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. exclusively on 710-AM KGNC. Scheduled to appear on this week’s program are Wranglers forward Mason Lupo and defenseman Ethan Ogle.