The Amarillo Wranglers left Corpus Christi by not only getting a two-game sweep on Thursday and Friday, but also making franchise history thanks to scoring six power play goals in seven opportunities during the pair of victories.
Amarillo used timely offense, and great defense to earn a 2-1 win over the IceRays on Thursday, followed by 5-1 blowout Friday.
Thursday night
The Wranglers went into the American Bank Center in Corpus Christie Thursday night on a mission. Because of flooding in the ice rink at the American Bank Center on Wednesday, the Wranglers had no pre-game skate. From the very start, the chippy play was intense and consistent. Latvian phenom Kristap Skrastins started off the scoring for Amarillo with a 14-inch laser on the stick side in the back of the net, defeating IceRays goalie Stefan Carney at the 11:18 mark of the first period. Skrastins again started off the scoring in the second period at the 10:14 mark with a beautiful assist from assistant captain Gleb Prohorenkovs. Goalie Max Guthjar and the Wranglers defense played stellar hockey throughout the game, as the Wranglers took a 2-0 lead into the third. The IceRays scored early in the third to make it interesting, but to no avail as Gutjhar wins his league-leading 15th game, saving 31-of-32 shots.
Friday night
The Wranglers continued the mission of winning by starting off the scoring at the 13:15 mark in the first period, when Prohorenkovs executed a pin point pass to forward Nik Campbell to start off the scoring bonanza. Gutjahr notched his league-leading 16th win of the season, stopping 42-of-43 shots.
Injured teammate
Forward Anthony Vidrick recently announced he was injured in El Paso (two weeks ago) as a result of a nasty hit he took in the boards. As a result of this hit, Vidrick sustained a compression fracture and broken vertebrae in his back.
Vidrick is a very popular player and a natural leader both on and off the ice. So far in this season, Amarillo has overcome many challenges and obstacles. This is just another example of a team lifting a teammate on their shoulders and coming out on the other side with a victory. Vidrick’s injuries are challenging to say the least, with a six to nine month recovery time. I spoke with this young man and he hopes with a lot of hard work, prayers and support, he can make it back for the playoffs. We here at Press Pass Sports wish nothing but the best for this special young man, and we will be monitoring his comeback throughout the season. Godspeed Anthony.
Next up
Amarillo (18-7-0) is in first place in the NAHL South Division with 36 points, one point ahead of the Odessa Jackalopes (17-9-0, 35 points).
The Wranglers are finally back home this weekend to face Lone Star on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon in the Budweiser Bullpen at the Amarillo Civic Center.