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Gorillas buck Laredo with strong third period

February 21, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


Amarillo, TX - The Amarillo Gorillas and Laredo Bucks combined for six goals in the third period, with the hosts pulling out a 6-4 victory at the Amarillo Civic Center Saturday night.

Both teams played to a defensive first two periods, with Laredo drawing first blood. Darryl Smith broke away from the defense and in on Amarillo goaltender A.J. Bucchino, dekeing to his backhand and putting the puck above Bucchino's outstretched pad to give Laredo a 1-0 lead just 4:42 into the game. Both teams would be held scoreless for the remainder of the period.

Amarillo's Joe Guenther evened the game at one with a goal past Laredo netminder Sebastien Centomo, taking a feed from Mike Handza and sliding the puck through Centomo's legs and into the back of the net. Stuart MacRae would give the Gorillas their first lead of the game at 10:28 of the period, scoring on a feed from Guenther to put Amarillo on top 2-1. Igor Agarunov answered for the Bucks, scoring off a Jason Dixon centering feed to knot the game at two. With just over thirty seconds remaining in the second period, MacRae appeared to score his second of the game for Amarillo, punching the puck past Centomo. However, the net was ruled to be dislodged behind the Laredo goalkeeper, and after the goal was disallowed, the two teams moved to the third period tied 2-2.

The final twenty minutes of the game were dramatic, as Smith scored a shorthanded goal for the visitors after Bucchino lost his footing while attempting to play the puck. Laredo led 3-2, and looked to be gliding towards their tenth road victory of the season.

After several failed powerplay attempts for Amarillo, the Gorillas got a 5-on-3 after the Bucks' Devin Featherstone was whistled for cross checking with Laredo already down a man. In the waning moments of the two-man advantage, Travis Lisabeth squeezed a puck by Centomo with a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle, tying the game at three. Just 32 seconds later, with the Gorillas still on a 5-on-4 power play, Jake Morissette chopped a rebound into the Laredo net, giving Amarillo a 4-3 lead and their first advantage of the third period with 8:01 to play in the game.

The Gorillas would hold the lead behind the goaltending of Bucchino, who stood strong during a late Laredo power play and numerous other scoring chances. After the Bucks pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker, Guenther scored an empty net goal from MacRae to pad the Amarillo lead (5-3). This goal would prove to be the deciding tally, as former Gorilla Matt Miller scored with under a minute remaining to pull Laredo back to within one. A Jon Ornelas empty net goal with just 14 seconds left on the clock would seal the victory for the Gorillas.

Amarillo improves to 6-2-0 all-time against the Bucks at the Civic Center with the win, while Bucchino earned his fifth victory of the season. The two teams will face off again Sunday at 4:05 PM in the Civic Center, with tickets available by calling (806) 242-PUCK (7825).

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.

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