Purple Cows, Here We Come!

Hello fellow Jackalope fans!  The regular season has concluded, the playoffs are literally just a few days away, and isn't it fitting that the Jacks opponent in the first round of the playoffs will be none other than... wait for it... the Texas Brahmas!  That's right, the same Texas Brahmas that the Jacks have played in the playoffs the last two seasons in a row.  Texas took round one with a knockout blow in game seven of the conference finals during the 2009 playoffs, while the Jacks took round two last postseason after coming back from being down 0-2 in the seven game series only to come back and win the next four straight to eliminate the purple cows from playoff contention.  Now it's time for the decisive round three, as this will probably be the last time that these two teams ever face each other as the Jacks have made it official that they are moving to the NAHL next season, while the Brahmas future is still up in the air (although many Brahma fans believe Texas will be moving to the SPHL).  It would be a great story if the Jacks somehow manage to finally bring home that elusive Ray Miron President's Cup, and a departing middle finger to Duane Lewis and the CHL would only be fitting as the Jacks will say good-bye to pro hockey after fourteen years, primarily (at least in my opinion) because of Mr. Lewis running the Central Hockey League straight into the ground.  But, that's a totally different story, and I want to focus on the first round of the playoffs for the Jacks in this post.

  So, lets go ahead and have some fun with this soon-to-be-played series, shall we?  First, lets start off with the bad news.  The bad news is that Texas won the regular season series against the Jacks, as the Jacks only managed to go 3-5-1 against the Brahmas in the 2010-2011 CHL regular season.  That said, the Jacks did win the last meeting between the two teams in the regular season at the ECC by a final of 7-3 just a few weeks ago.  The other bad news for the Jacks is that Texas has the home ice advantage, and everybody knows that the NYTEX Sports Centre is a very tough building to win at.  But, the Jacks have had success there, especially during last season's playoffs, so if the Jacks can in the very least split the first two games at the NYTEX to start the series, then I really like their chances to seal the deal, so to speak, at the Ector County Coliseum the following Tuesday and Thursday. 

Now lets move on to the good news, before I give a list of the key elements for an Odessa Jackalope series win against the Brahmas.  The good news is that the Jacks have been hot as of late, while the Brahmas have been stone cold.  Lets back up this claim with some numbers.  In the Jacks last ten games they had a record of 7-2-1.  Meanwhile, in the bulls last ten games they went 2-8-0.  You want to go back even a little further?  In the Jacks last fifteen games they went 10-4-1, while the Brahmas went 5-10-0 in their last fifteen.  So, based on those numbers it clearly shows that the Jacks have been playing very good hockey over the last month or so, while the Brahmas have been playing pretty poor, inconsistent hockey.  As we all know, though, the playoffs are a totally different animal, and the Jacks can't underestimate this Texas Brahmas team, especially when they have home ice advantage.  Before I get to my list, I would like to throw a couple more numbers your way to show what direction both the Jacks and Brahmas seem to be heading.  In the Jacks last five games, they have scored 19 goals while giving up 11 for a goal differential of +8.  Conversely, in the Brahmas last five games they have scored 18 goals, but they also gave up 23 for a goal differential of -5.

Now lets get to my list of key elements in order for the Jacks to win the series against Texas:

• The Jacks must shut down, or at least limit the scoring of the Brahmas top line which consists of Deitsch, Woollard, and Hogeboom.  Those three players have accounted for a HUGE chunk of Texas' scoring against the Jacks this season, so if the Jacks are able to shut these guys down, then I really, really like their chances.
• The Jacks must (in the very least) split the first two games at the NYTEX Sports Centre to kick off the series.  If the Jacks head home down 0-2, it will be very difficult for them to win the next three straight, especially with game five (if necessary) being played in North Richland Hills.  But, if the Jacks can split the first two games and head to the ECC for the next two games, then I really like the Jacks chances.
• The Jacks need to keep the NYTEX Sports Centre as quiet as possible.  You may be thinking: How do the Jacks do that?  The answer is very simple.  Score early and score often.  Take the fans out of the game early, and you should be just fine.  If not, I personally know how loud and crazy it can get in the "Shoebox," (as Greg Rajan likes to call their arena).  Lets just say I have never left the NYTEX Sports Centre without a throbbing headache.
• Say it with me everybody:  DEFENSE!  If the Jacks play good defensively, and limit their turnovers in their own zone, then they should be successful.  The good news here is that the Jacks have been good defensively over the last month or so, so hopefully that trend will continue into the playoffs.  If it doesn't, however, then the Jacks will undoubtedly get burnt by the Brahmas.
• The Jacks goaltending has to be solid and consistent.  With Mole and Martin (or the M&M boys as some Jackalope fans now like to call them) being our goaltending tandem in the playoffs, I really feel confident.  Mole has been great since joining the Jacks, and I feel much more confident with Martin in between the pipes for us as opposed to McKee.  That's not meant to be a knock on McKee, but the simple fact of the matter is that Martin is a veteran goaltender that has playoff, but more importantly championship experience at this level of hockey.  Not to mention Martin looked pretty solid in the Jacks last regular season game against the Mudbugs, picking up the win while allowing only two goals on twenty-eight Bossier shots on goal.
• After Dan Wildfong "physically abused" both a referee and a linesemen the other night when they lost to Rio Grande Valley, I'm expecting (this is just a guess on my part) at least a four game suspension for Wildthong.  If he misses the series against the Jacks, then you take away the "Wildfong factor" from the bulls.  Say what you will about the guy, but I don't think anybody doubts his ability to really light a fire under his team.  If he's not behind the bench against the Jacks, that should mean good things for the Jacks.  By the way, I'm not predicting this potential suspension to be a major factor in the outcome of the series... I just think it can only mean good things for the Jacks should Wildfong not be behind the bench for the Brahmas.
• And finally, I'm expecting (although it has not been confirmed if either of these guys will return for the playoffs) Dominic Leveille and Dave Van Drunen to be back for the Jacks in the postseason.  Leveille is a definite scoring threat every time he hits the ice, while DVD is arguably the best defensive defenseman in the entire CHL.  Not to mention the Jacks always seem to play better with Van Drunen in the lineup.  Also, Bourbeau and Martin have been assigned back to the Jacks by Bridgeport, so that's more good news for us as Martin should bring stability in net for us, while Bourbs brings a much needed physical element to the team.

Now that I've shared my list with you all, I will conclude this post with my prediction on the outcome of the series between the Jacks and Brahmas.  I think the Jacks split the first two games at the NYTEX Sports Centre, but then come home to the ECC to win the next two straight.  I predict the Jacks win this series in four games.  All signs seem to show the Jacks as more than capable of winning this series, but of course the game is played on the ice, and the boys have to be hungry to be successful in the playoffs.  We Jackalope fans know that they are more than capable of going all the way, but that means absolutely nothing if the boys don't believe in themselves.  Something tells me, though, that the Jacks will be just fine.  With that said, I'm going to go ahead and wrap things up here.  As much as I'd love to blog again this weekend after the two games in North Richland Hills are played, I highly doubt I will be able to as I have a test on Friday at UTPB, and I also have to take a test on the internet on Sunday, so I'll definitely be busy with school this weekend.  But, be sure to check The Enforcer early next week for any and all updates pertaining to the Jacks playoff run.


Until next time Jackalope fans all I have to say is GO JACKS GO!!! and lets feast on some purple burgers beginning Thursday night!

Miller Screws Jacks!

Hello fellow Jackalope fans.  It was a disappointing night tonight if you are an Odessa Jackalope fan, as the Jacks blew a two goal lead in yet another game, and referee Geoff Miller absolutely screwed the Jacks royally tonight at the Ector County Coliseum.  The Jacks lost the game by a final of 5-4 in OT, but Miller tried his damnedest to hand the game to the Sundogs on a silver freaking platter in regulation.  Put it this way: Five of the first six penalties called in the game (which extended into the third period) were called against the Jacks, with the 'Dogs only receiving one minor during this stretch of time.  It was as if the Jacks couldn't buy a call, while Arizona was being given call, after call, after call, after call.  It was simply unbelievable.  Then, with about five minutes left in the game, in a tie game might I add, Miller calls Alex Dunn for delay of game after Dunn is taken down by a Sundog player behind the Arizona net where Dunn fell on top of the puck obviously injured.  Alex Dunn was down on the ice for some time in obvious pain, but this absolute disgrace of a referee calls him for delay of game.  What in the hell did Miller expect Dunn to do, jump up and start tap dancing on ice?  He was freaking injured!  Then, to make matters worse, another delay of game is called seconds later as the Jacks were killing off what never should have been a penalty as David McKee was tagged for delay of game after he shot the puck out of play.  I'm not arguing the second penalty called, but the first one never should have been called, and if it wasn't, then McKee never would have shot the puck out of play to begin with.  Of course, this means Arizona went on a very long five on three power play late in a tied game, and credit must be given to the Jacks for killing off this total bullshit, but many of the guys were gassed after having to fight off the Sundogs as well as Geoff Miller.  The game ended up going into OT, and the Sundogs scored about three minutes into the extra frame off a pretty soft goal given up by David McKee.

  You know, I was really impressed with McKee when he first joined the Jacks, but he has been a pretty big disappointment in his last several games, and that shot is one that just has to be stopped in overtime.  Yeah, the defense deserves a ton of the blame as well as Arizona never should have even been able to come back in the game, and turnovers led directly to a couple of Arizona's goals, which can't be blamed on McKee.  That said, your goaltender is supposed to be your last line of defense, and our goaltending has been shaky (to say the least) all season long.  Sometimes a goalie has to find a way to stand on his head, and we have rarely seen that this season, which has cost us many games. 

Moving on, with this OT loss, the Jacks in the very least earn one point and now find themselves in a three-way tie for fifth place in the Berry Conference with Mississippi and the Sundogs.  I guess the silver lining in this very dark cloud is the fact that the Jacks still have  a couple of games in hand over Arizona, but the Jacks really should have won this game in regulation and separated themselves a little bit from the Sundogs.  But, that's obviously not the case, and the Jacks find themselves just five points ahead of eighth place (which is the last playoff spot) Rio Grande Valley with two HUGE games against the Killer Bees coming up later this week.  The Jacks will take on the Killer Bees in Hidalgo on Thursday night, and then play them the very next night at the ECC.  If RGV somehow finds a way to win both of these games, the Jacks could find themselves just one measly point ahead of the Killer Bees for the last playoff spot in the Berry Conference.  So, the Jacks really need to win both of these games, separate themselves from RGV as well as (hopefully) Mississippi and Arizona, and get a bit of a grip on the fifth seed for the playoffs.  The boys need to start playing some good defense and need to start having some goaltending, or it won't matter what seed they are in the playoffs because they won't last very long with poor defense and poor goaltending.  They need to pull their heads out of their asses, stop getting lazy when they have leads, and keep their foot on the gas for a full sixty minutes.  Simple as that.  Show some freaking heart, limit your turnovers, start winning some hockey games, and head into the postseason hot and do some damage.

Wow, I feel better now that I've got that off my chest.  This season has been such a roller coaster of a ride that you never know what team you're going to watch when it comes to this Jackalopes team.  One night they look like they could beat any team in the CHL.  The very next night they look like a total joke.  If this is the last season for the Odessa Jackalopes in the CHL, then it has definitely been one to forget so far this season.  This is not the way the Jacks want to go out, so hopefully they will get their act together and surprise some people in the playoffs.  Finally, I have some disappointing news that I have to share with you all.  I stated on my last post that it was official that Collin Circelli would be back with the Jacks soon.  Well, it turns out that will not be the case.  He was supposed to come back to the Permian Basin once his season ended over in Sweden, but unfortunately for us his team has been successful in the playoffs over in Europe, and it seems as if he won't make it back in time to qualify for the playoffs for us.  This is a huge disappointment as Circelli is a top notch goal scoring center, and it would have been extremely nice to see him back in a Jackalope sweater, but it seems as if the hockey gods continue to mess with us with all of the crap that we have had to deal with throughout this entire season.

But, the Jacks have got to find a way to get the job done with what they've got.  That's all that can really be said here.  They've got to get their act together and play to their potential.  If they don't, then the Jacks will be heading for the golf courses sooner rather than later this year, which is something that none of us want to see.  To wrap things up, I will reiterate that the Jacks have a home-and-home series starting Thursday night against the Killer Bees in Hidalgo and ending on Friday in Odessa, and then they take on the very good Tulsa Oilers on Saturday night at the ECC.  So, it will be a huge and very important three games in a row for the Jacks, where in all honesty the Jacks need to try and find a way to win all three games, or at least two of the three in the very least.  Having said that I'm going to go ahead and get off of here and have nightmares about tonight's game.  Be sure to check The Enforcer in the coming days for any updates pertaining to the Odessa Jackalopes.


Until next time Jackalope fans all I have to say is GO JACKS GO!!! and lets buckle down and get down to business starting Thursday night!

Big Weekend Coming Up

Hello fellow Jackalope fans!  It's a gorgeous day here in the Permian Basin, and the Jacks snapped a two game skid by defeating the Allen Americans by a 5-2 final last night at the ECC.  With the win, the Jacks record improves to 25-26-6 (56 Pts.) on the season, and they have jumped the Mississippi Riverkings for fifth place in the Berry Conference standings.  Hopefully last night's win against the team with the best record in the CHL will give the guys an extra boost of confidence when they host the Bloomington Prairie Thunder for the first time ever at the ECC for a pair of games this weekend.  Bloomington is one of the top teams in the Turner Conference, so the Jacks have to bring their "A" game and really limit their stupid turnovers in their own zone.  The good news is that the Jacks have, despite losing a couple in a row recently, been playing pretty good hockey, especially at home, so maybe they will sweep the Prairie Thunder right out of the Permian Basin.  The Jacks definitely need to keep on winning and earning points as both Mississippi and Arizona trail them just by one point for the fifth seed in the Berry, with the Jacks and 'Kings having played the same amount of games, and with the Jacks having two games in hand on the Sundogs.  The boys really need to separate themselves from those two teams as well as Rio Grande Valley, and need to try their best (which will be an extremely difficult task to accomplish) to catch the Mudbugs for the fourth seed in the conference.  If the Jacks can somehow miraculously catch Bossier Shreveport, then that would guarantee the Jacks home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.  Like I said, though, this will be a tall task for the boys, so they need to worry only about themselves and win as many of their remaining games as possible.  It would be nice to see the Jacks heading into the postseason red hot, and who knows, maybe they will be the dark horse to win the Presidents Cup.  We Jackalope fans know they are more than capable of doing this, the guys just have to believe it themselves and play up to their potential.

That said, it has been confirmed that Collin Circelli will be returning to the Jacks soon.  As soon as his team in Sweden finishes up in their playoffs, he should be on his way to the Permian Basin.  Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later, as a player from Europe has to play so many games in order to be eligible for the CHL playoff roster.  From what I've heard, he'll definitely be back in time to qualify, but it would be nice to see him back as soon as possible in order for him to adjust to some of his new teammates as well as help the Jacks finish the regular season on a high note.  Simply put, Collin is a big time goal scorer and has been sorely missed this season.  It will be great to see number sixteen back at the Jack Shack, and I don't think I'm the only one that feels that way.  Now lets move on to Juha Toivonen.  About a week ago General Manager Joe Clark was on the Jacks Power Hour radio show, and he confirmed that it would be extremely difficult and highly unlikely to get Juha back to the Jacks in time for him to qualify for the playoff roster.  He said that they were definitely interested in bringing him back, and he was definitely interested in coming back, but apparently it takes a while to settle immigration issues over in Finland, so it's almost guaranteed that we won't see Juha back in a Jackalopes sweater.  Clark did say their is a very small chance that it could happen, but not to count on it, so who knows?  Crazier things have happened, so I'm still holding on to that little beam of hope that Juha will somehow make his way to the Permian Basin for the playoffs.

Finally, I would like to mention the Jacks impending move to the NAHL next season.  Rumors have been circulating for months now about a possible move, and these rumors have been confirmed as the Jackalopes ownership group has confirmed that the team will be playing junior hockey next season.  While the move is not official yet, as the owners have to deal with the CHL in order to leave the league, it unfortunately looks like pro hockey has officially died in the Permian Basin after fourteen years.  The simple truth of this apparent move is that the Jacks have been bleeding money since the Nyborgs and Gasser took over five years ago, and it seems as if they just can't handle their losses any more.  According to the Odessa American, they have lost over three million dollars since purchasing the team (an average of $600,000 a year), so I fully understand why they are jumping ship as costs are much more manageable in the NAHL.  Of course, this is sad news as we will have to watch players that have been in Odessa for years move on to new cities, leagues, and even countries to continue their careers elsewhere.  I would like to say thank you to those guys, as well as every single player that has wore a Jackalopes sweater, for all of the great memories that you have created for us Jackalope fans to remember for the rest of our lives.  It won't be the same without you guys, and you all will be sorely missed, but I wish you all the best wherever you decide to go from here.

Now, I have personally heard several season ticket holders (some of my family members included) that have flat out stated that they will not renew their tickets if the Jacks move down to the NAHL.  While I'll support the Jackalopes as long as we have a hockey team, apparently many people feel differently, and I truly do hope that our attendance doesn't suffer even further with this move.  We may have small crowds much of the time, but we do have a solid and passionate core of die hards, so I'm really hoping we don't lose our core with this move.  If these fans won't come back to support the team next season, why would the casual fan?  I say junior hockey is better than no hockey (and I really applaud our owners for at least keeping the Jackalopes in some form alive) but some folks just don't feel the same way I do.  Having said that, I will have a separate post once the move is made official, to share even more of my thoughts and opinions about the move to the NAHL.  Now that I've shared the latest Jackalope news with everybody, I'm going to go ahead and wrap things up here.  Hopefully I'll blog again Sunday or sometime next week, depending on how busy I get with school, so be sure to check The Enforcer frequently for any updates pertaining to your Odessa Jackalopes.


 Until next time Jackalope fans all I have to say is GO JACKS GO!!! and lets send the Prairie Thunder back home with a couple of losses this weekend!