Odessa Jackalopes Defeat El Paso Rhinos 4-2
The Jackalopes secured a victory at Ector County Coliseum to open their series against the Rhinos.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Hockey
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The Odessa Jackalopes moved to a 10-3-0-0 record after defeating the El Paso Rhinos 4-2. The game remained deadlocked at 2-2 until the final period.
Why it matters
This win keeps the Jackalopes strong in the standings as they continue their three-game series against the El Paso Rhinos. The victory highlights Odessa's ability to pull ahead in close contests.
The Jackalopes hold a 10-3-0-0 record following the 4-2 win against the 4-8-4-0 Rhinos. The game was tied 2-2 entering the third period before Odessa pulled away.
The players
Odessa Jackalopes
The Odessa Jackalopes are a professional ice hockey team based in Odessa that competes in the North American Hockey League.
El Paso Rhinos
The El Paso Rhinos are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the South Division of the North American Hockey League.
The details
Kaid Pawlanta and Hunter Toms each found the back of the net in the third period to break the tie and secure the win for Odessa. The match took place at the Ector County Coliseum as part of a three-game series between the teams.
Timeline
The game took place on October 29, 2026.
The next game between the two teams is scheduled for October 30, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This win reinforces the Jackalopes' competitive standing within the North American Hockey League South Division rankings. The result puts pressure on the Rhinos to recover as the teams continue their three-game series.
The victory improves the Jackalopes to a 10-3-0-0 record, keeping them ahead of the 4-8-4-0 Rhinos in the division. Fans can look for lineup consistency from Odessa during the next game on Wednesday.
The takeaway
Close games often hinge on performance in the final period of play. Teams that successfully break late-game ties maintain superior positioning in league standings throughout the season.
What happens next
The teams will meet again on October 30, 2026, followed by the final game of the series on Friday at 7:15 p.m.
Further reading
For more coverage on local matchups, visit Hockey.
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