Gorillas lose second straight to Rapid City, 6-3
March 4, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Rapid City, SD 3/4/09 - For the second night in a row, an offensive onslaught carried the Rapid City Rush to victory over the Amarillo Gorillas, 6-3, Wednesday night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Arena.
As with Tuesday night's game, Rapid City bullied out to an early first period lead. Just 1:40 into the game, Matt Zultek one-timed the puck past the glove hand of Amarillo netminder Mike Gorman to give the Rush a 1-0 lead. Center Stuart MacRae would tie the game with 8:25 left in the first period, roofing a rebound opportunity at the top of Rapid City goaltender Miguel Beaudry's crease to knot the contest at one. The tie would be short-lived, as former Gorilla and current Rush player Rich Hansen scored on a Gio Flamminio rebound in front, giving Rapid City a 2-1 advantage heading into the second period.
The hosts had no trouble putting points on the board in the middle frame-Luke Fritshaw began the second period scoring for the Rush with a powerplay goal, slapping the puck past a screened Gorman to give his team a two-goal lead. Jake Morissette would answer for Amarillo, getting a powerplay goal of his own with 5:41 left in the period after collecting a rebound at the side of the net and tucking it behind Beaudry. Only 1:40 of playing time later, Zultek would get his second goal of the evening by slamming a Blaine Jarvis centering pass behind Gorman to put Rapid City back on top by two. The lead would extend to three by the end of the second period, as Mitch Stephens fired a shot behind Gorman-once again screened-to give the Rush their second powerplay goal of the evening with just eight seconds remaining before intermission.
Both teams would exchange goals in the third period, with Amarillo drawing the score to 5-3 on a Mike Handza goal. Handza took a shot from the left point that deflected off the equipment of Rush defenseman Mark DeSantis and past Beaudry for the third Gorillas tally of the game. Not long after, at 9:48 of the final period, Rapid City's Derek LeBlanc put the game out of reach with the Rush's third powerplay goal of the evening, helping to cement the score at 6-3.
Gorman (9-15-1) stopped 40 shots in the Amarillo (16-36-3) loss, while Beaudry saved 38 of 41 shots faced in net for Rapid City. The Rush ended the game 3-for-5 on the powerplay, while the Gorillas went 1-for-5 with the man advantage.
Amarillo will play their next game back at the Amarillo Civic Center on Friday, as they host the Oklahoma City Blazers. Opening face-off for the game is 7:05 PM, as the Gorillas take on the Blazers for the fourth time in 2008-09. Tickets for the game are buy one, get one free-for more information or to reserve seats, fans can call (806) 242-PUCK (7825).
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 4, 2009
- Gorillas lose second straight to Rapid City, 6-3 - Amarillo Gorillas
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- RiverKings Stay #1 On Yellowbook CHL Coaches Poll - CHL
- Jacks Team Up with Ronald McDonald House - Odessa Jackalopes
- Ferras, Rush handle Gorillas in 6-0 Amarillo loss - Amarillo Gorillas
- St. Pierre shines in Oilers win - Tulsa Oilers
- Beaudry And Rush Crush The Gorillas 6-0 - Rapid City Rush
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