NAHL Amarillo Bulls

Bulls Beat IceRays 6-3

January 4, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Amarillo Bulls News Release


AMARILLO, TX - The first place Amarillo Bulls managed to put more breathing room between themselves and the rest of their pursuers in the South Division on Friday night. The Bulls fired three second-period goals to snap a 1-1 tie and went on to double the Corpus Christi IceRays 6-3 at the Budweiser Bull Pen in the Amarillo Civic Center.

Ben Jentsch, Brendan McGuire, Brendan Vetter, Brady Ferguson, Elijiah Barriga and Mitchell McPherson scored for the Bulls in the victory. Vetter, McPherson and Brett Szajner each had two assists, while defenseman Patrick Pollock was plus four. Goaltender Collin Delia posted the win in goal stopping, 29 of 32 shots he faced including 15 alone in the third period.

The visiting IceRays opened the scoring on a shorthanded goal which was the sixth allowed by the Bulls this season. But 12 seconds later, the Bulls tied it when Ben Jentsch scored on the power play, his second of the season, from Brett Szajner. Near the end of the stanza, the Bulls took the lead when Brendan McGuire tallied off a rebound in front of the net. It was McGuire's third of the season from Brett Szajner and Ryan Stevens. The Bulls outshot the IceRays 16-10.

It was a wild second period with four goals scored, including three by Amarillo. Brendan Vetter started the outburst with a blast from the point from Tim Moore and Mitchell McPherson at 3:30. Five minutes later, Corpus Christi tied the game when a shot from the face-off circle eluded goaltender Collin Delia. After that the Bulls regained control and scored two goals. Brady Ferguson scored from Carter Penzien and Brendan Vetter.

Captain Mike Davis was tripped up on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot, but he failed to score. It didn't take the Bulls long to get a key goal when Elijah Barriga scored at the side of te net from Patrick Polluck and Cody Gylling. The Bulls outshot the IceRays 17-7.

Corpus Christi came out firing in the third period, but the Bulls and goaltender Collin Delia made some big saves to preserve the lead. After the IceRays pulled to within two six minutes into the third period, the Bulls put the game out of reach with a key empty net marker from Kyle Gattelaro.

There was one key moment in the third period as the Bulls had to kill off a five minute penalty.

Despite being outshot 15-5 in the third period, the Bulls maintained the edge at the end of the game 38-32. The Corpus Christi IceRays were 0 for 7 on the power play, while the Bulls were 1 for 4.

The Amarillo Bulls and the Corpus Christi IceRays close out the two game series tomorrow (Saturday) night at 7 pm at the Budweiser Bull Pen in the Amarillo Civic Center. It's the second straight game that the Bulls will wear specialty jerseys courtesy of Blu Energy and a live auction takes place after the game with proceeds to benefit Amarillo Youth Hockey.

Tickets are available at the Bulls Office located at 301 South Polk, Civic Center Box Office and all Panhandle Ticket Outlets including United Supermarkets. For further information on Group Rates, Seven Game Flex Packs or Corporate Marketing Partnerships please call the Bulls Office at 242-1122 or visit 301 South Polk in the Amarillo Building.

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North American Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2014


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