Gorillas Humble the Blazers, 9-2
Published on January 8, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
The Amarillo Gorillas pulled to within four points of the fourth and final playoff spot in the Northern Conference after they trounced the Oklahoma City Blazers 9-2 on Tuesday night at The Jungle in the Amarillo Civic Center.
It was a game billed as a showdown of two of the top Northwest Division club and it turned into a one sided affair early as the Gorillas connected on four power play goals and several players enjoyed huge nights. The Gorillas dominated the play inside the offensive end and played well defensively inside their own end by not allowing Oklahoma City to get good scoring opportunities.
The Gorillas improved their record to 20-11-0 for 40 points and now trail first place Tulsa Oilers by just seven points, but with five games in hand. Amarillo still has four games in hand on the Blazers.
Brandon Carper's goal at the 3:54 mark of the first period set the tone of what was to come as he drove a hard slap shot through the legs of goaltender Boyd Ballard from just inside the blue line. Carper would later add another goal and add a couple of assists.
Henry Kuster fired his 19th and 20th goals of the season for Amarillo, while rookie Derek Hahn continued his hot play with two more goals. Other marksmen for the Gorillas were John Dean, Dorian Anneck and Scott Wray.
Gorillas defenseman Mark DeSantis had three assists, while Dave Rattray had two.
Goaltender Steve Debus had an outstanding game between the pipes making 55 stops and he didn't let the Blazers players get second or third rebound opportunities.
The Amarillo Gorillas return to action this weekend with two more games against Southern Conference opponents. On Friday night the Gorillas host the New Mexico Scorpions at 7 p.m. and then the San Angelo Saints are in town on Saturday also at 7 p.m.
Central Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2003
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- Holland Named to the All-Star Team - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Hartinger All Star, Nelson Traded, Two Signed - Wichita Thunder
- Wildfong Selected to All-Star Team - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- CHL Completes All-Star Rosters - CHL
- Two Gorillas Headed to All-Star Game - Amarillo Gorillas
- Kupaks named to CHL All-Star Game - New Mexico Scorpions
- Silver and John Named All-Stars - Indianapolis Ice
- Grenville Joins Schneider and Periard on CHL All-Star Team - Laredo Bucks
- Buzzards land goaltender Ronayne in trade - El Paso Buzzards
- Two More Oilers Tabbed as All-Stars - Tulsa Oilers
- Scharf named to CHL All-Star team - El Paso Buzzards
- Gorillas Humble the Blazers, 9-2 - Amarillo Gorillas
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