Odessa eying clean sweep of the PHN poll

ODESSA, Texas – The Odessa Jackalopes have shown little tendency to relax or have a bad stretch all season and with precious few games left in the regular season, they are unlikely to do so.   We are not ready to crown them our regular season champs, but the likelihood is there.  
 

The battles for other positions in the Central Hockey League have remained hot since last week.   The Rapid City Rush and Colorado Eagles are still at each other’s throats with only two points separating the two clubs in the Northern Conference.   Through Thursday, the Rush have a game in-hand on the Eagles.  
 
In the South, the Allen Americans were seemingly ready to challenge the Jacks for the conference crown, but now trail the Jacks by seven points.   The Jacks also hold a game in-hand on the Americans.  
 
Bossier-Shreveport punched their post-season ticket this week.   Mississippi seems ready, but the Mavericks and Oilers are battling for the final spot in the north.
 
Down South, Texas and Laredo are about to get their passes validated but the Rio Grande Killer Bees need to get themselves motivated if they want to catch the Corpus Christi IceRays.   Three points separate the Bees from the post season.
 
Only three clubs are mired below .500 this late in the season.   A great turn-around for the CHL where just a few weeks ago as many as seven clubs were struggling to reach the .500 mark.   All that and the terrific battles for playoff positioning have made for a great end to the CHL regular season.
 
Contact Jeff.Reed@prohockeynews.com