Despite Rally, Gorillas Lose in Shootout

Published on October 20, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


Amarillo, TX - The Amarillo Gorillas were able to come away with one point out of a possible four on their opening weekend, falling in a shootout to the Rocky Mountain Rage on Saturday night. Things looked as though they could be even worse as the Gorillas trailed by two goals with three minutes to play in the contest, when newcomer David Nimmo came to the rescue, forcing the game into overtime and securing at least one point for the Gorillas efforts.

Despite playing a very strong first period, the Gorillas found themselves on the losing end of a 2-0 score after twenty minutes. Daymen Rycroft started the scoring for the Rage, scoring at 17:04 and Simon Watson increased the lead scoring with only :15 seconds to go in the period. Amarillo outshot the Rage 14-9 in the period, but found out first hand how much offensive firepower the Rage has, as Rocky Mountain was able to capitalize on the opportunities they were given.

In the second period, the Gorillas showed the same resiliency they displayed on Friday night against Tulsa, battling back with a shorthanded goal from Chris Martini at 9:17 to cut the lead in half. However, Rocky Mountain wasted little time in recapturing their two goal lead with a goal from Brent Cullaton at the 10:57 mark. Once again the Gorillas out-shot the Rage 15-11 in the period but found themselves again down by two through forty minutes.

In the third period, Gorillas rookie David Nimmo would steal the show, scoring two goals in the final two and a half minutes of the game to send the contest into an extra session. His first goal came after defenseman Joe Pace took a shot that hit Rage Goalie Terry Dunbar up high, who thought he had the puck in his gear. The puck bounced down to the ice and Nimmo was able to sweep it from his knees into an open net and bring the Gorillas within one. Then with only 2.8 seconds left on the clock, the Gorillas had one mad scramble left in them when a shot from the point found its way through traffic and the black jerseys swarmed the front of the net. Eventually the puck bounced to the stick of a waiting Nimmo who buried his chance, sending the game into overtime. Nimmo has started his professional career by scoring three goals in his first two games.

In the overtime session, both teams had 4 on 3 power play opportunities, but neither could convert. The game would be decided in a shootout. After five shooters failed to capitalize for both teams, Nathan Rosychuk of the Rage was able to get one past McWhinney on a perfectly placed wrist shot that went right under the crossbar. Terry Dunbar, who recorded 44 saves in the contest, came up with the game winning save on Jason Chafe's shootout attempt, and the Rage moved to 2-0-0 on the season. Amarillo is now 0-1-1 on the year, and will look to get their first win against Laredo on Tuesday the 23rd. They will host the defending Southern Conference champs for an 11:00 AM start.

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2007


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