The Amarillo Wranglers played host to North American Hockey League South Division leaders New Mexico Ice Wolves this past weekend at the Budweiser Bullpen.
With the best overall record in the NAHL, the Ice Wolves came into Amarillo looking to smash any playoff possibilities that the Amarillo might have. The Wrangler were able to battle and split the series with the Ice Wolves, winning Friday night’s game 5-4, before falling in Saturday contest 4-2.
The Wranglers are currently still in the playoff picture at 21-22-1-1 overall (45 points), sitting seven points out of the final playoff spot in the South division.
Friday night’s game started off in a familiar way when the Ice Wolves drew first blood at the 3:34 mark of the first period on a power-play goal. Amarillo’s Gleb Prohorenkovs powered the puck into the net to tie it up at the end of the first period with his 15th goal of the season. The Wranglers went into the second period tied as the sticks woke up for the Wranglers. Logan Cleary started off the scoring bonanza in the second period with a beautiful shot at the 1:10 mark. In what can only be described as the most emotional goal of this season, Ukrainian and recently acquired Danylo (Danny) Korzhyletskyi scored his first NAHL goal. Tommy Chunchukov got off a wicked shot from a beautiful pass from Bryce Battaglia. Later in the third period, newly acquired forward and Alpharetta Georgia native Chase Davis scored his first goal as an Amarillo Wrangler, giving the team a 5-1 lead going into the third period.
New Mexico rallied back in the third scoring three unanswered goals to make it interesting, however, the Wranglers were able to close it out. Wranglers goalie Carter Clafton notched his second victory of the season, stopping 37-of-41 shots.
Saturday night’s Wranglers highlights came from one player, Tommy Chunchukov, as he scored two beautiful goals, but to no avail as the Wranglers took the loss 4-2.
Amarillo travel to El Paso to take on the Rhinos this weekend.