Gorillas Drop Second Straight to Killer Bees, 3-2
Published on January 18, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Hidalgo, TX 1/17/09 - Despite several late scoring chances, the Amarillo Gorillas were held goal-less late in a 3-2 Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees victory Saturday night.
The bulk of the scoring came in the first period, as Jesse Bennefield got on the board early for Rio Grande Valley. At 7:19 of the first period, Bennefield came into the zone on an odd-man rush, tossing a wrist shot through the five-hole of Amarillo netminder A.J. Bucchino to give the Bees an early 1-0 lead. Amarillo responded with a Stuart MacRae goal from the right face-off circle just moments later to knot the game at one.
Amarillo would strike again late in the first period, with defenseman Neil Smith poking home a rebound off an Austin Sutter shot for his first career professional goal to give the Gorillas a 2-1 lead. The advantage would be short-lived, with Rio Grande Valley tallying just 2:20 of playing time later on a Ryan Shmyr goal to send both teams to the first intermission tied at two.
Rio Grande would get their third (and eventual game-winning goal) just 5:32 into the second, with Evan Rankin knocking a loose rebound past Bucchino to give the hosts a 3-2 edge. Amarillo remained scoreless through the final two sessions, with Killer Bees goaltender Wylie Rogers stopping all 24 Gorillas shots he faced in the final two frames.
Bucchino (0-4-0) took the loss for Amarillo, stopping 36 shots in defeat. Amarillo (10-25-0) will return home next Friday to play the Texas Brahmas at the Amarillo Civic Center, with an opening face-off at 7:05 PM. For tickets, call the Gorillas front office at (806) 242-PUCK (7825).
Central Hockey League Stories from January 18, 2009
- Thunder Edged in Rocky Mountain - Wichita Thunder
- Gorillas Drop Second Straight to Killer Bees, 3-2 - Amarillo Gorillas
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