The Amarillo Wranglers went on the road and were able to get a split with the Colorado Grit after a pair of games on Friday and Saturday.
Amarillo is sitting at 20-28-2-3 (45 points) and are still mathematically in the playoff hunt in the North American Hockey League South Division but will need some help. The Wranglers must win at least of five of the six games remaining and have Colorado three of its last four. The Wranglers stay on the road for a three-game series against Odessa starting Thursday.
Friday’s game
French Canadian goal minder Charles Antoine Girard was between the pipes for the Amarillo Wranglers against Colorado. The energy was high as Amarillo played for their playoff lives. Both netminders were perfect in the first period, saving 18-of-18 shots, taking this nailbiter into the first intermission 0-0.
Colorado struck first with a beautiful touch and go goal from Luke Helgeson, giving Colorado a 1-0 lead. Not to be outdone, at the 11:51 mark and in the power play, Amarillo forward Marc LaFrance sniped one past the Grit goalie, tying this game up. Just towards the end of the second period, newly acquired Trevor O’Donohue scored his first goal as a Wrangler as the second period ended with a 2-1 Amarillo lead.
Amarillo’s Jake Boulanger scored unassisted, giving Amarillo a 3-1 lead. The Colorado Grit were able to score two goals quickly towards the end of the game, tying this nailbiter up 3-3 in front of ravenous and win-hungry fans, as this epic southern division battle went into overtime.
With the Colorado Grit looking to add to their playoff point lead and Amarillo doing everything possible to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, this overtime affair had the sellout crowd at the Ice Haus on the edge of their seats. At the 1:15 mark of the five-minute overtime period, Wranglers forward Alexander Aleslov took an amazing bullet shot, giving Amarillo the victory 4-3.
Amarillo was able to keep their slim playoff hopes alive as Amarillo goalie Charles Antoine Girard saved 37-of-40 shots, giving him his third victory of the season.
Saturday’s game
Colorado scored twice in the first period – one on a power play as Amarillo only answered once, when Alexander Aleslov scored his second goal of the weekend as the first period ended 2-1 in the Grit’s favor. Colorado scored in the second period, giving them a 3-1 lead at the second intermission.
With their backs against the wall, one of the hottest stick handlers for the Amarillo Wranglers, Alexander Aleslov, scored his third goal of the weekend, cutting the Grit lead to one point. Aleslov’s no quit attitude resonated with the team as the momentum shifted. At the 12:25 mark of the third period Wranglers forward Daniel Rassega scored his fourth goal of the season to tie this nailbiter up.
Neither team would score throughout the duration of the third period, taking yet another game into overtime. Just a few short seconds into the overtime, Colorado Grit Sheldon Rioux found the back of the net, closing this exciting game out 4-3, giving Colorado their 21st victory of the season, a franchise record.
Editor’s note
Please listen for 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.