Odessa is the class of the CHL thus far

ODESSA, Texas – This is not coincidence that the Jackalopes of Odessa sit atop out power poll this week.   The club sports 23 points already this season and is clear of the Colorado Eagles by 8 points.   In fact, the Jaclalopes rank number one in goals per game and goal differential thus far and have played exceptionally well and deserve the placement in our poll this week.  

Another week and another surprise for the Tulsa Oilers.   At this point the Oilers should not be a surprise.   The team is leading the conference and playing well in a tough environment with strong competition up and down the roster.   At 8-3-0 the Oilers have slim lead, but lead nonetheless over perennial power Colorado.   This time last year the Oilers were thinking of the current season and trying to forget the season were playing.
 
The Thunder in Wichita were in a similar position last season and find themselves at the bottom of this week’s poll.   At 2-9-1 and 5 points on the season the Thunder are looking up at a brutal conference and may well be looking to next year already.
 
Once again the CHL is in a position of having a significant number of teams effectively be eliminated from the post season race before the winter holidays have even arrived.   Expansion Missouri is having a difficult early season run and find themselves just ahead of Wichita in the Northern Conference.  
 
Meanwhile in the Southern Conference, the Amarillo Gorillas have cooled off and returned to earth but still hold a decent position in a suddenly weak conference.   The Laredo Bucks will pressure the Jacks but the Allen Americans are the real surprise of the conference in third place.   Allen is 6-2-1 on the road and has played only two games on home ice.       Eight of the 15 clubs in the circuit are at or below 0.500; not a good record when some teams are already looking like locks for the post season.   Where’s the balance in this league?
 
Contact jeff.reed@prohockeynews.com
 
Contact les.stockton@prohockeynews.com