The Amarillo Wranglers continued their recent string of strong hockey play getting a weekend split with a very talented Corpus Christi team on Friday and Saturday. The IceRays beat the Wranglers 3-2 in a Friday nailbiter before the Amarillo bounced back to double up Corpus Christi 6-3 on Saturday.
Amarillo now has a 17–23–1–3 overall record with 38 points sitting in eighth place in the North American Hockey League South Division.
Friday’s game
The Wranglers stampeded on the ice saddled with a three-game winning streak and looking to improve their playoff chances against a very good Corpus Christi IceRays team.
The first 17 minutes of this very physical contest didn’t see any scoring. Newly anointed associate captain gigantic defenseman Will Welborn captured a beautiful pass from Jean Sebastian Pack to hit a lightning strike just south of the blue line, giving Amarillo a 1-0 lead going into the first intermission. At the 6:38 mark of the second period, Cody Kempf snuck one past Amarillo netminder Matt Schoephoerster tying this game 1-1.
Former Amarillo Wrangler Grayson Gerhard started a rush for the IceRays at the 17:49 mark of the second period, passing the puck to line mate Carter Krenke, giving the IceRays a 2-1 lead. Troy Pelton, forward for the IceRays, scored unassisted at the 10:56 mark, giving Corpus Christi a 3-1 lead. With just 50 seconds left in this game, Wranglers newly acquired forward Kirill Evstigneev scored his fifth goal in as many games, bringing Amarillo within one point.
With time running out, coach Corey Wogtech pulled netminder Schoephoerster, but to no avail. Corpus Christi ended this like a bad cut of rotten beef 3-2 in a very exciting and intense hockey game.
Saturday’s game
First Responders night at the Budweiser Bullpen has been a long-standing tradition in the hockey community for decades. This night would be no exception as the sellout crowd was treated to fantastic hockey and an epic tribute to the first responders in our community.
With almost 5,000 fans in attendance at the Budweiser Bullpen this Saturday night, spectators were treated to a show of police, paramedics, pipe handlers, and pandemonium.
It was a good thing that there were firefighters in attendance as the Wranglers hit the ice hotter than a West Texas campfire.
Recently acquired and former Aberdeen wings forward Cole Saterdalen ignited the win-hungry crowd on the power play just before the end of the first period, giving Amarillo the 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission. Team Captain and Top Prospects participant Morley Phillips took a pass from one of the hottest players in the NAHL Saterdalen and shot a bottle rocket, scoring his 10th goal of the season. This gave Amarillo a 2-0 lead.
As the Amarillo Wranglers fans paid close attention to the scoreboard, Corpus Christi scored a cumbersome goal to make things interesting. Just before the end of the second period and on the power play, Wranglers veteran Jacob Miller out hustled the IceRays defense, taking a pass from the gigantic Wranglers defenseman Will Wellborn, scoring his fifth goal of the season and giving Amarillo a commanding 3-1 lead going into the second intermission.
Wranglers Daniel Rassega jumped on the scoring bandwagon to start the third Period as Amarillo added to their lead 4-1. The IceRays scored twice in the third period. Amarillo answered back on two empty net goals – one from Morley Phillips, and one from a very hot Cole Saterdalen. Saterdalen is a native of Eden Prairie MN and has seven points in six games as an Amarillo Wrangler. His excellent play is a major factor to the rebirth of the Amarillo Wranglers.
Newly acquired netminder Matt Schoephoerster improved his record to 3-1 as an Amarillo Wrangler, stopping 31-of-34 shots.
Playoff glance
With the Odessa Jackalopes’ loss and the Colorado Grit’s win, Amarillo remains five points out of the final playoff spot in the NAHL South Division with 15 games to play. Amarillo still has a path to the postseason but must continue their rebirth of high intensity hockey. However, they will need some help. The Wranglers have this weekend off before they hit the road to Oklahoma City for two games against the Warriors.
Editor’s Note
Please listen for a special edition of Tommy Tee‘s weekly recap of the Amarillo Wranglers hockey on the “Drive at Five” with Lance Lahnert every Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. exclusively on 102.9 FM the Panhandle Sports Star.