Austin Abuses Amarillo

Published on January 21, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


AMARILLO, TX - The Gorillas fired a season-high 48 shots on net but struggled to put only one through as the Austin Ice Bats defeated Amarillo 4-1 on Friday night at The Jungle. As 2,907 fans looked on, Derek Hahn scored the lone Amarillo goal, his 27th and 68th point, enabling the All-Star to extend his points-streak to nine games. Austin's goaltender Miguel Beaudry was framed the Nationwide Insurance Star of the Night, stopping 47 of 48 shots.

The first period went anything but Amarillo's way. About two-and-a-half minutes into the period, the Ice Bats found themselves on the game's first power play off a Dave Rattray minor for holding the stick. While in its offensive set-up, Austin's captain, Jeff Neufeld passed at the top of the zone to Jonathan Jolette. The defenseman wound up for a shot that was redirected past Degagne and in by Jason Kenyon, his third goal of the season. The goal came on the power play at 3:31 and gave Austin the early lead 1-0.

Eleven minutes and two Amarillo penalties later, the Ice Bats caught a break. As the Gorillas were attempting to clear out of the zone, the puck was deflected off an Ice Bat skate. Forward Gerald Tallaire picked up the loose puck and dished to center Aaron Davis who found an opening between Degagne's legs for the second Austin goal of the night. The goal, Davis' eighth, came at 11:17 of the first period and increased the Austin lead to 2-0. But the Gorillas weren't out of the woods yet.

While on a two-man advantage in the period's final minute, passes from John McNabb and Darryl McArthur found the stick of the waiting Julius Halfkenny. The defenseman shot past Degagne, which deflected off the top cross-bar and went into the net. The score, just the second of the season for Halfkenny, came with only two seconds remaining in the frame and gave the Ice Bats a 3-0 lead after only 20 minutes.

The second period did not begin any better for the Gorillas and Degagne. While again on the power play off a Gerard Miller interference call, Austin was able to capitalize. With the Ice Bats offensively set-up, the puck found the net by the blade of McArthur. It was the third time on the night that Austin was able to capitalize on a Gorillas penalty. Assists went to center Julian Smith and McNabb, his second of the game. The McArthur goal, his second goal and second point of the night, came at 4:05 of the period, extending the Ice Bats lead to 4-0. The second frame ended with the Gorillas out-shooting Austin 12-9 and 27-24 for the game despite the four-goal deficit.

Only 2:34 into the third period, the Gorillas were finally able to get on the board. In their offensive zone, passes from All-Star Scott Wray and the newest Gorilla, Gerard Miller found the CHL's point-leader in Hahn. The assistant captain was able to beat the Ice Bats goaltender Beaudry, who was marvelous all night long. The goal was Hahn's 27th but still had Amarillo trailing 4-1. No additional goals were scored, despite four man-advantages for Amarillo, as Austin beat the Gorillas with the final score of 4-1.

Gorillas' goaltender Shawn Degagne stopped 25 of 29 shots faced while Beaudry let only one slip by as he faced 48 shots. Degagne's record dropped to 13-8-2, snapping a team and personal five-game unbeaten streak. Beaudry, meanwhile, improved to 8-9-2 for the surging Ice Bats, who are 5-1-1 in January.

Penalty minutes were low with Amarillo being assessed for 16 while Odessa was given 14. The penalty kill for the Gorillas was sub-par, preventing a goal in only five of eight chances. Amarillo had been 37-of-their-last-38 on the kill entering the game. The Ice Bats had seven kill opportunities and gave up no goals.

With the loss, the Gorillas fall to a 16-14-3 record with 35 points, still good for second in the Southwest Division and nine points behind Odessa, who battled from behind to beat Youngstown in a shootout. The Lubbock Cotton Kings were idle. With the win, the Ice Bats improve to 15-18-3 for 33 points. The Gorillas have two games in hand against the Jackalopes and three on the Cotton Kings, Amarillo's opponent for its next two games.

Amarillo Gorillas Hockey Presented by NewsChannel 10 will be broadcast on 1440 AM The Score Saturday night from the Cal Farley Coliseum as Amarillo hosts Lubbock. Gorillas Pre-Game is set to begin at 6:45 pm. The game will also be available at www.amarillogorillas.com and on CHLTV (www.chltv.com).

Great seats are still available to all upcoming home games! Tickets for Gorillas games can be purchased at the Gorillas Hockey Office, located at 1934 Civic Circle off of I-40 and Georgia, the Civic Center Box Office and all Panhandle Ticket Outlets. These include Randy's Music Mart, the West Texas Event Center in Canyon and United Supermarkets. Tickets can also be charged by phone at (806) 378-3096 or (806) 242-PUCK (7825).

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2006


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