Gorillas comeback falls short in 5-4 loss to Scorpions

Published on February 25, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


Rio Rancho, NM 2/25/09 - Despite two late third period goals, the Amarillo Gorillas could not overcome a late third period deficit en route to a 5-4 loss Wednesday night to the New Mexico Scorpions.

The scoring began early at the Santa Ana Star Center, when the Scorpions' Jordan Foote scored on a wraparound opportunity in front of Gorillas' netminder A.J. Bucchino, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead just 26 seconds into the first period. With the Gorillas on the power play mid-way through the period, the Scorpions' Torren Delforte sent Chris Robertson in on a shorthanded breakaway. Robertson's initial shot was stopped by Bucchino, but as Bucchino rose to his skates, the puck rolled off his leg and into the back of the net. The fortunate bounce for New Mexico would put the Scorpions up 2-0 after one period of play.

The middle twenty minutes began much as the first. Foote would toss a rebound behind Bucchino just 16 seconds into the period, increasing the Scorpions' lead to 3-0. Just moments later, Seth Leonard would score a shorthanded goal on a feed from defenseman Tom Maldonado, giving New Mexico their largest lead of the evening at 4-0.

Sam Ftorek would spearhead the Gorillas' comeback efforts, firing a slapshot from the right point past New Mexico goaltender Kyle McNulty to bring Amarillo back within three at the 10:52 mark of the second. Stuart MacRae inched the visitors closer with a power play goal, scoring off a Ftorek rebound at 16:51, cementing the score at 4-2 after two frames.

Though Amarillo got several scoring chances to begin the third period, McNulty turned Amarillo aside on each of their first nine shots. Adam Knight, a mid-season acquisition off waivers from the Colorado Eagles, scored an insurance goal for the Scorpions at 10:50 of the period-the rookie potted a rebound after Bucchino stopped three point-blank New Mexico shots in succession.

Only moments later, with 5:01 left in the game, Amarillo's Gordon Bell kick-started another Gorillas' comeback, tossing a shot through McNulty's legs while being checked to the ice. The sterling individual effort by the team's assistant captain pulled Amarillo back to within two. Under one minute of playing time later, MacRae scored his second of the game after roofing a backhander past McNulty with just 4:08 remaining in the period.

With the Gorillas down just 5-4, the comeback efforts continued. Solid netminding by McNulty and a late Amarillo penalty helped New Mexico to fend off the Gorillas' charge, as the Scorpions their fourth win in five games.

With the loss, Amarillo (15-33-3) falls to just 1-7-0 against New Mexico this season, and 1-4-0 against the Scorpions in Rio Rancho. Bucchino stopped 21 shots in the loss, while McNulty earned the victory by turning aside 32 Gorillas' attempts.

Amarillo will play next at Texas Friday, visiting the Brahmas for the first time in 2009. Coverage of the game will be carried on 1010-AM "The Canyon" in the Amarillo area, and worldwide via a free video feed on the CHL Network.

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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Central Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2009


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