Gorillas crushed by Bucks in 'Silver Dollar' game, 6-1

Published on March 13, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


Amarillo, TX 3/13/09 - The Amarillo Gorillas struggled from the opening face-off Friday night, losing to the Laredo Bucks 6-1 as one lucky Gorillas fan rode off the ice the owner of a 2003 Harley-Davidson Road King.

The scoring began early for Laredo, as the Bucks got the first goal of the evening just 1:29 into the game. Alex Goupil rifled a sharp-angle shot past Amarillo goaltender A.J. Bucchino, putting the visitors on top 1-0. Erick Lizon followed up that goal with a tally of his own on a backhanded pass from Jason Dixon to put the Bucks up 2-0 at the 6:32 mark of the first period. Bucks netminder Sebastien Centomo shut down the Gorillas on all ten shots in the first twenty minutes, as Laredo skated to a 2-0 first intermission lead.

Amarillo would struggle mightily during the first 11 minutes of the second period, surrendering three goals to Laredo during that span. First, Alex Goupil scored on a wrist shot following a defensive zone turnover by Amarillo to make the score 3-0. Dixon would get a goal of his own at 8:46 of the second-just over three minutes later-after tipping an Agarunov shot past Bucchino, pushing the lead to four. Laredo would cap their run of five straight goals with another Agarunov tally, as the Bucks forward took a centering feed from Steve Weidlich and punched it by Bucchino. The shorthanded goal for Laredo made the score 5-0, and would chase Bucchino from the game.

Stuart MacRae would respond for the Gorillas with a shorthanded goal of his own only moments later, breaking down the right wing and ripping a shot off the post and into the net behind Centomo, breaking the would-be shutout attempt. Former Gorilla Matt Miller would set up Brent Cullaton for a Laredo goal at 18:09 of the second, though, to maintain the five-goal lead for the visitors.

Perhaps the most excitement all evening for Gorillas' fans came during the second intermission, when the final drawing for a 2003 100th Anniversary Edition Harley-Davidson Road King (valued at over $40,000) was held. A lucky Gorillas fan was the lone person left standing of the original 25 finalists and, trembling, was awarded the motorcycle by Gorillas' Owner Randy Sanders.

Both Laredo's Centomo and Amarillo's Mike Gorman (who entered in relief of Bucchino) stopped all shots faced in the third period to cement the final score at 6-1. Amarillo's best opportunities came in the third period, when the Gorillas found themselves on a number of power plays, including two 5-on-3 advantages. Still, for the second consecutive game, the Amarillo power play attack came up dry en route to the loss.

Amarillo (17-39-3) will head to Colorado next, taking on the Eagles in a game starting at 8:05 PM Central Time. coverage of the game can be found on 1010-AM "The Canyon" in the Amarillo area and worldwide via a free online video feed through NiFTy TV's CHL Network (www.nifty-tv.com/chl).

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 March 13, 2009


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