ODESSA, Texas – The Odessa Jackalopes rushed to the top our weekly poll early this season and have never left.  This past week, the Jacks padded their lead over the second place Allen Americans to 13 points, though the Americans retain three games in hand on Odessa.

In the Northern Conference, the dogfight between the Colorado Eagles and the Rapid City Rush is as entertaining a race as has been seen in the CHL in years. On Wednesday night, the Rush took sole possession of first place with a 6-5 win over the Sundogs of Arizona and the Eagles lost to the Missouri Mavericks, 5-4 in a shootout on Tuesday. 

The Missouri Mavericks have been on a serious hot streak of late and now sit five games over .500 and hold 48 points in the standings. They are now in a position to challenge for a playoff spot as the conference’s expansion team. 

Elsewhere, Laredo, Bossier-Shreveport, Mississippi and Texas are vying for those precious few post season invitations. 

Six teams in the circuit sit at or below the .500 mark and have not strayed from that record for weeks. The staggering number is the distance between first and last place in the Southern Conference, 39 points.  Forty-eight points separate first and last in the North, but it is hardly a valid comparison as the Wichita Thunder have had a dreadful season, whereas the Sundogs have played poorly but have competed.

With about 20 games left in the season, the CHL is coming to the conclusion of another season; another predictable season with minor changes. 

Contact jeff.reed@prohockeynews.com

Contact the photographer at les.stockton@prohockeynews.com

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