AMARILLO, Texas–The Oklahoma Warriors experienced two tough-luck losses against the Amarillo Wranglers on Friday and Saturday at the Amarillo Civic Center.
Both games were tied with less than a minute remaining in the third period. The Warriors lost both and accrued only one standings point in the weekend series.
On Friday, Oklahoma battled back from a 3-1 third period deficit with goals from Riley Brueck and Drew Sutton to break even. Kaden Nelson had scored a power play goal earlier in the contest. Despite the Warriors controlling the play down the stretch, the Wranglers threw a puck in from the blue line that found a redirection into the back of the net with 38 seconds remaining. Amarillo added an insurance goal a few moments later for a 5-3 regulation win.
Saturday’s game ended just as cruelly for the Warriors. Max Vig and Brueck scored in the first and second periods, respectively. With the game tied 2-2, Oklahoma hit the inside of the crossbar twice late in the second period. Furthermore, they again dominated play in the third and had two breakaway shots in sudden-death overtime. Amarillo goaltender Connor McDonough stopped them both, though, and the Wranglers went on to score the winning goal for a 3-2 final score.
With only one standings point picked up, the Warriors continue their streak of earning points every weekend, but have now lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. Their opportunity for revenge comes at them quickly, as Amarillo comes to Oklahoma City for a three-game series. Game time is 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 27th through the 29th. It is Austin Hose weekend with all three contests counting towards the first-ever Hoser Cup rivalry series. The fun includes fan giveaways, 50/50 raffles, silent auction items, a Halloween costume contest on Sunday with prizes, and more.
The Oklahoma Warriors are home next against the Amarillo Wranglers for a three-game series on Friday, October 27, Saturday, October 28, and Sunday, October 29. Puck drops at 7:15 p.m. all three nights at Blazers Ice Centre in Oklahoma City. Fans can purchase tickets at www.okwarriors.com/tickets and watch the team live on www.nahltv.com.
