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Gorillas battle back to beat Jackalopes, 6-5

February 28, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


Odessa, TX - The Amarillo Gorillas scored three second-period goals in 45 second and got a four-point effort from Austin Sutter to win 6-5 against the Odessa Jackalopes at the Ector County Coliseum Saturday night.

Odessa looked at though they had the inside track to victory in the first period, as they scored three goals on just ten shots through the first twenty minutes. Kenny Bernard started the scoring, netting a goal on a shorthanded breakaway at 8:36 of the first period. Moments later, Sebastiel Thinel scored the second Jackalope goal, sliding the puck past an outstretched Amarillo netminder A.J. Bucchino while on the power play. With only 1:54 remaining in the period, Thinel scored his second of the game on a Russ Moyer feed, putting the hosts up 3-0 to close out the first period.

Former Odessa netminder Mike Gorman made his return in net for the Gorillas at the beginning of the second period, entering in relief of Bucchino. The change in goal appeared to spark Amarillo, as they went on a scoring tear during the first half of the frame. At 5:08 of the second period, Warren Galloway scored his first career CHL goal on a feed from Mike Handza, bringing the Gorillas to within two. Just 25 seconds later, Sutter scored his first of the evening on a Mark Carragher feed, beating Odessa goaltender Juha Toivonen to make the score 3-2. Only 20 seconds after Sutter's goal, John Snowden deflected an Alex Greig shot by Toivenen to tie the game at three-within the span of 45 seconds, the Gorillas had mustered three goals and had significant momentum.

The momentum ended when Collin Circelli scored from Thinel, giving the Jackalopes a 4-3 lead with 4:56 remaining in the period. Carragher would battle right back, scoring on a Snowden feed to knot the game at four to conclude the second frame.

Sam Ftorek would score early in the third period with the Gorillas on a man-advantage, giving Amarillo their first lead of the evening at 5-4. Austin Sutter would add an insurance marker at 8:27 of the third, slapping a shot by the blocker of Toivonen to extend the Gorillas lead. Odessa made a goaltender switch, replacing Toivonen with Alexandre Vincent. The swap seemed to energize the Jackalopes, with Thinel scoring his third of the game with only 9:42 remaining in the game. Despite two late power plays, though, Odessa couldn't get another puck by Gorman as the Gorillas held on for a 6-5 victory.

Gorman (9-14-1) stopped 17 shots, earning the victory for the Gorillas (16-34-3). Amarillo will play the next contest Tuesday at Rapid City, in a game starting at 8:05 PM Central Time.

The AMARILLO GORILLAS are celebrating their seventh season in "The Jungle" by offering special ticket prices to groups and parties! Call the Gorillas ticketing office at (806) 242-PUCK (7825) for more information, or drop by the Gorillas' new office at 901 S. Buchanan in downtown Amarillo.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2009


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