Odessa wins Southern Conference crown

ODESSA, Texas – The Odessa Jackalopes continued their run through the Central Hockey League’s southern conference and secured the top spot this week after a game effort from the Allen Americans to catch the Jacks.     This week the CHL began announcing season honors and Ferras was named the Coach of the Year for his efforts in Rapid City as bench boss for the Rush.   Ferras’ club has challenged the Colorado Eagles, perennial leaders in the league, for the top spot in the northern conference and the final outcome will not be decided until the last weekend of the season.   Three points separate the Eagles from their seemingly usual place in the conference.     The Rush hold a 2-game lead in the win column over the Eagles.   A win by the Rush or a loss by the Eagles will secure the conference crown for the Rush.     Down south, the Jacks secured the conference crown with a push that gave them a 10-point cushion heading into the last weekend of the regular season.     The Tulsa Oilers can blame a mid-season fade for missing the playoffs this season.   The Missouri Mavericks made their case for the playoffs and edged the Oilers for the fifth and final spot in the north.   The final battle is in the south where the Rio Grande Killer Bees have made a small charge to get near the IceRays in Corpus Christi.   A 2-point lead for the Rays is slim but the Bees need to win and get some help tonight.   The Bees entertain the Wichita Thunder while the Rays are in Allen to take on the Americans.   The Bees can make push to tie the Rays tonight and then have the season come down to one final game.   Contact Jeff.Reed@prohockeynews.com