ODESSA, Texas – The Odessa Jackalopes remain in the cat-bird seat in our latest CHL Power Ranking Poll. But there are many suitors to the spot and the Jacks have played well enough to stay where they have been all season.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

The Rapid City Rush has built a small lead over the Eagles in the Northern Conference. The 3-point cushion has been well-earned and the Eagles find themselves in unfamiliar territory, second place.

The Americans have their eyes on the top spot in the South, but need a steady winning streak and for the Jacks to suddenly stumble. That is a tall prospect given Odessa’s steady, solid play all season.

The defending Ray Miron champs, the Texas Brahmas, have managed a tidy winning streak of their own and now own a solid playoff position. But the Laredo Bucks are close on their heels.

Elsewhere in the Southern Conference, the Rio Grande Killer Bees have fallen on hard times and find themselves outside looking in at the post season. A crucial match with Corpus Christi has left the Bees 5-points out of the last spot, held by the IceRays.

In the Northern Conference, a nice battle between the Tulsa Oilers, Bossier-Shreveport MudBugs and Mississippi RiverKings is brewing for the last two spots in the standings. One hard-working team will be disappointed.

The bottom line for the CHL is a terrific push to the post season. Where once there was nothing but boredom is now an exciting set of races for the lower end of the post season set ups.

Contact Jeff.Reed@prohockeynews.com

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