Amarillo faces opening weekend challenge in New Mexico
October 17, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Amarillo, TX 10/17/08 - Last weekend, the Amarillo Gorillas took both ends of an exhibition home-and-home series against the New Mexico Scorpions.
The Gorillas will face the Scorpions twice this weekend as well. This time, however, the games mean more-they are the first two CHL regular season games for both teams.
Amarillo will play at Rio Rancho, NM Friday night in the first of the back-to-back games against the Scorps. Swedish netminder Sebastian Jonsson is slated to get the start in goal, while the game will also feature the Amarillo debut of Sam Ftorek, Paul Caponigri, Mark Black, Stuart MacRae, and Ryan Waldner, all of whom did not see preseason action with the team.
"We were able to play with New Mexico, compete, and battle with them last weekend," said Gorillas Head Coach Tom Coolen, who will also make his Gorillas regular season debut Friday night. "We need to fine-tune some things defensively, but I'm satisfied with what I've seen from the team thus far."
Saturday will be the Gorillas' regular season home opener, with Amarillo set to host the Scorpions at 7:10 PM Central Time. One of the major stories surrounding this weekend could be the situation in net for the Gorillas-Simon Nielsen will start Saturday night's game, looking to battle Jonsson for the starting backstop position.
"Both goaltenders have been solid in preseason action," Coolen remarked. "They should continue to get better as we move forward."
Both games will be broadcast for free via the Internet, as the CHL Network will carry every Central Hockey League matchup in the 2008-09 season. Fans can go to the Central Hockey League website to find out more information. In addition, both games will be broadcast on radio this weekend-1010 AM "The Canyon" will have coverage starting at 8:00 PM Central Time Friday and 6:55 PM on Saturday.
Tickets are still available to the Gorillas' home opener Saturday. For more information, fans are encouraged to call the Gorillas ticketing office at (806) 242-PUCK (7825).
Enjoy all the benefits of being an Amarillo Gorillas season ticket holder, including pregame meetings with Coach Coolen and one-of-a-kind access to special events! Gorillas season tickets for 2008-09 are available by calling (806) 242-PUCK (7825) or by visiting the Gorillas office at 901 Buchanan in Amarillo.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 17, 2008
- Eagles Win Opener in Shootout With Rush - Colorado Eagles
- Scorpions Win Opening Night - New Mexico Scorpions
- Bucks, Smith Full of Rage In 7-1 Romp - Laredo Bucks
- Mudbugs Roll Over Brahmas, 5-1 on Opening Night - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- CHL Introduces Hat Tricks for Kids Program - CHL
- Opening night woes, Brahmas lose 5-1 - Fort Worth Brahmas
- RiverKings Win Season Opener Against Wichita - Mississippi RiverKings
- Oilers To Broadcast All Games - Tulsa Oilers
- Amarillo faces opening weekend challenge in New Mexico - Amarillo Gorillas
- Bugs and Brahmas Drop the Puck Tonight - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Stage Set For Bucks Season Opener At LEC - Laredo Bucks
- Shots from the Point - CHL
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