Gorillas head back to the playoffs for third straight year
March 14, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX â Back-to-back-to-back!
It certainly has a nice ring to it and Amarillo Gorillas' fans are loving the sound Monday following a 4-3 win over the Odessa Jackalopes in a shootout to secure their third straight trip to the Central Hockey League playoffs.
Rallying and digging deep is certainly something the Gorillas have done a lot of this season and it was front and center last night as Amarillo came back from a 3-2 second-period deficit on a goal by Scott Wray. It would turn out to be the Gorillas 34 one-goal game and 19th overtime/shootout game. Forward Derek Hahn capped the night with a goal and Shawn Degagne did the rest as the Gorillas pulled out another thrilling victory.
It has been a season of great emotion with the Gorillas starting the year 4-10-2 and 0-5 on the road. Amarillo has proceeded to win 26 games since December first, including 12 away from the Texas Panhandle.
The Gorillas are back in first place in the Southern Conference and the Southwest Division by one point over the San Angelo Saints and two over the Laredo Bucks with three games left. The Gorillas still don't know who their opponent will be in the first round of the playoffs or where the post season will start. Lubbock, Austin and Odessa are all separated by two points for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Southern Conference.
Amarillo approached another couple of great milestones by winning their 30th game of the season and 18th on home. The Gorillas could reach 19 wins at The Jungle with a win in their final home game on Sunday against the Lubbock Cotton Kings.
The Gorillas close out the travel part of their regular season schedule later this week with a trip east to face the Memphis RiverKings on Thursday night at the DeSoto Civic Center. It's just the second appearance in three years by Amarillo to Memphis. Game time is 7 p.m. and fans can tune into the game on 1440 AM The Score beginning with the Farmer's Insurance Group Warm Up Show at 6:40 p.m.
On Friday night the Gorillas move down to Bossier City, Louisiana to face the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs also at 7 p.m. Fans can hear the call of the game on the official flagship station 1440 AM The Score beginning at 6:40 with the Pre-game Show.
Both games will be available on the world wide web at www.amarillogorillas.com and www.chltv.com.
The Amarillo Gorillas play their final regular season home game this Sunday at 6 p.m. when they meet the Lubbock Cotton Kings at The Jungle in the Amarillo Civic Center. It's fan appreciation night and all players will be signing autographs after the game. The night is sponsored by Taco Villa and there will be great giveaways at the door. If the Gorillas score more than three goals in the game, fans will be given a free combination burrito coupon when they leave The Jungle.
There will be an auction that night as well of one set of the Gorillas replica jerseys.
Tickets for Sunday's game can be purchased at the Gorillas Hockey Office located at 1934 Civic Circle; Civic Center Box Office and Panhandle Ticket Outlets. Fans can charge by phone 378-3096 or 242-7825.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2005
- Mudbugs Weekly - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Oakley CHL Player & Goaltender of the Week Announced - CHL
- Gorillas head back to the playoffs for third straight year - Amarillo Gorillas
- RiverKings donation accompanies Special Olympics athletes on track to skating success - Mississippi RiverKings
- Scorpions enter final week - New Mexico Scorpions
- Saints Clinch Playoff Spot; Still In Hunt For Division Title - San Angelo Saints
- Thunder rolls to perfect week - Wichita Thunder
- Bucks Out & About - Laredo Bucks
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