Mark Simpson – Texas Tornado Booster Club: Texas Tornado rookie Louie Rowe squares off with the Jackalopes Curt Rau.

Texas has dominated the season series with Odessa winning seven of eight and outscoring the Jackalopes 44-16. The Tornado have 327 shots on goal in the eight games while limiting Odessa to just 186.

Special Teams

Special Teams have been a strong point for the Tornado and the home powerplay continues to lead the league as it has since the start of the season. The Tornado are currently setting at 24.7% converting on 19 of 77 opportunities. Texas should be able to capitalize on the man advantage facing an Odessa road penalty kill that is ranked 22^nd in the league at 78.3% surrendering 20 goals on 92 times short handed. When the Tornado find themselves in the box their home penalty kill has been consistently improving over the course of the season and now is 6^th in the league. They have allowed only 9 goals on 75 penalty kills for 88.0%. The Jackalopes road powerplay continues to struggle and is ranked 21^st at 10.6% with only 9 goals on 85 opportunities.

Goaltending Comparison Last 5 Games

Who is Hot (Last 5 Games) 

During Saturday night’s game the Texas Tornado will team up with Special Olympics of Texas. Texas players will be wearing Special Olympics of Texas themed jerseys which will be auctioned following the game with the proceeds benefiting Special Olympics of Texas. Ticket for the game can be purchased through Ticketmaster using the code “SOTX” and 50% of the ticket price will be donated to Special Olympics of Texas as well.

The Tornado have five players with a double digit +/- against the Jackalopes, Scott Conway +14, Drew Mayer +12, Jason Eddy +12, Brandon Hawkins +11 and Mitch Mueller +10.

Odessa’s Lawrence Cornellier was named the Combat Hockey South Division Second Star of the Week. Cornellier had 3G-2A as the Jackalopes lost a pair of games to Wichita Falls last weekend.

The Tornado have four players ranking among the top 15 scorers in the league. Brandon Hawkins 43 points (29G–14A), Jackson Leef 40 points (7G–33A), Justin Greenberg 39 points (17G–22A), Scott Conway 39 points (11G–28A).

Hawkins and Cornellier are tied for second in the league in powerplay goals with nine. Hawkins also leads the league in goals scored with 29 while Cornieller is tied for fifth with 20.

Leef is second in the league in assists with 33 and second in powerplay assists with 15.

Odessa is fourth in the league with 28 majors, Texas is eighth with 22.

Texas is 20-3-0 when scoring first and is 28-2-0 when leading or tied after two periods.

Hunter Leisner leads the league in Wins with 24, Minutes Played with 1934:46 and Saves with 842.

Odessa has a -100 goal differential and have been outscored 70–24 in the third period. Texas on the other hand has a +50 goal differential with the second period being their best outscoring their opponents 55–35 in the period.

Odessa averages the fewest shots on goal in the league with just 22.94 per game while allowing the most shots per game at 40.69 per game. Texas ranks 3^rd in shots on goal with 34.44 per game and 4^th in shots against at 27.56 per game.

Since their last meeting Odessa has made four roster moves. The Jackalopes have released Forwards Brody Decker and Tom Kempinski. On December 29^th they traded then Captain Tyler Minx and Ryan Doucet to Jamestown for future considerations. At the time of the trade Minx had 3G-7A from the blueline in 23 games and Doucet had 6G-14A which placed him second on the team in scoring.

Texas Tornado – Special Olympics of Texas themed jerseys

You can also help by purchasing tickets to the game on Saturday through Ticketmaster and using the code “SOTX” when you purchase. The Tornado will donate 50% of all those ticket sales to Special Olympics of Texas as well. So, come out to see some great fast paced hockey action, cheer on the defending Robertson Cup National Champion Texas Tornado and help out with a very worthy cause.

Special Olympics of Texas provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.