HUNTERSVILLE, NC (January 9, 2024) – The SPHL announced today that Matt O’Dea of the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs has been named the Warrior/SPHL Player of the Week for January 1-7.
O’Dea tallied three goals, added five assists, and was +3 as Roanoke went a perfect 3-0-0 in picking up wins over the Birmingham Bulls and Knoxville Ice Bears.
On Friday, the Rail Yard Dawgs found themselves in a 4-1 hole going into the third period before O’Dea helped spark a comeback with a goal and two assists as Roanoke tied the game at four before completing the comeback in overtime on a goal by Dominiks Marcinkevics.
Down 1-0 heading into the third period against Knoxville on Saturday, O’Dea assisted on a power play goal to tie the score, before scoring the eventual game-winning goal on the power play. O’Dea would add another assist late in the period to help seal a 4-2 victory over the Ice Bears.
O’Dea closed out his week with a goal and an assist as Roanoke cruised to a 5-1 victory over Knoxville on Sunday.
With his eight-point week, the Mokena, IL native added to his already impressive totals for the season. O’Dea ranks second among defensemen with 20 points and 16 assists while his four goals are third-most among blueliners. In Sunday’s win over Knoxville, O’Dea recorded his 100th career point in the SPHL and broke the Dawgs franchise record for points by a defenseman.
Other nominees for the Warrior Player of the Week were: Brian Bowen, Birmingham (2g, 2a, +1), Cole Ceci, Evansville (2-0-0, 0.50 gaa, .981 sv%, 1 SO), Ryan Kenny, Fayetteville (2-0-0, 2.00 gaa, .946 sv%), Buster Larsson, Huntsville (1g, 2a, +2), Davis Kirkendall, Knoxville (1g), David Nippard, Macon (1g), and Brent Moran, Quad City (0-2-0, 3.08 gaa, .917 sv%)
