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NAHL Amarillo Bulls

Amarillo Bulls Hang on to Beat Lone Star 3-2

December 21, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Amarillo Bulls News Release


AMARILLO, TX - You couldn't have asked for a better way for the Amarillo Bulls to head into their Christmas Break.

The Bulls finished their last six games with a mark of 4-1-1 after hanging on to beat the Lone Star Brahmas 3-2 on Saturday night at the Budweiser Bull Pen in the Amarillo Civic Center. That win gave the Bulls the sweep over their Brahmas and fourth straight victory on home ice. Thanks to a little help from the Odessa Jackalopes with a win over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, the Bulls were able to move into sole possession of the sixth and final playoff spot in the South Division.

More than 2,500 fans were treated to an excellent hockey game as the Bulls worked hard and didn't get rattled after their opponent the Lone Star Brahmas rallied twice from one-goal deficits. It took a third period goal by Cody Gylling in the final eight minutes of regulation and some solid defensive play and goaltending from Anton Martinsson down the stretch to preserve the victory.

It was an exciting opening 20 minutes for the Amarillo Bulls as they came out and outworked the Lone Star Brahmas. Riley Christensen got the Bulls on the board when he tipped home a shot at 14:19 from Joseph Leonidas and it was 1-0. At that point, it rained Teddy Bears and Stuffed Animals for the Toys For Tots Program. The Bulls kept pushing and nearly scored on a five-on-three power play, but unable to put the puck into the net. The Bulls outshot the Brahmas 15-5 in the first stanza.

The second period featured more hard work by the Amarillo Bulls, but a mistake near their blue line resulted in Lone Star tying the game. Four minutes later, the Bulls persistence paid off as Trent Dillinger scored his second of the season on a breakaway from Ben Jentsch and Charlie Combs. It was a great pass by Jentsch that sent Dillinger into the clear. The Bulls outshot the Brahmas 12-4 in the stanza.

The Lone Star Brahmas rallied in the third period and pressed the Bulls right from the puck drop. A Bulls penalty was converted by the Brahmas as they were able to tie the game at the 11:34 mark. Just 53 seconds later the Bulls took the lead for good when Cody Gylling converted a nice pass from Luke Novak in front of the net. Gylling started the play with pass into the Brahmas zone. Novak scooped the puck up from the boards and put it in front of the net for Gylling who made a strong move and tucked the puck behind Jake Kupsky.

Down the stretch the Bulls played strong defense and kept Lone Star from tying game even with their goaltender pulled. Despite being outshot 14-8 in the third period, the Bulls still had the overall shot advantage 35-23. There were eight power plays in the game with the Bulls going 0 for 5 and Lone Star was 1 for 3.

The Amarillo Bulls don't return to action until New Year's Eve Wednesday, Dec. 31 when the host the Wichita Falls Wildcats at 7 pm. It's the first of four straight games between the two teams. Single game tickets including the all new $5 section are available at the Bulls Office located at 301 South Polk or by calling 242-1122.

Additionally, tickets are also available at the Civic Center Box Office and all Panhandle Ticket Outlets including United Supermarkets or online at www.panhandletickets.com.

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