Gorillas maintain lead in Southwest thanks to big win over Laredo

Published on February 9, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


AMARILLO, TX -- The Amarillo Gorillas fired five second-period goals and held on to upset the No. 1 team in the Central Hockey League the Laredo Bucks 6-4 in front of better than 4,300 fans at the Bank One Jungle on Saturday night.

The Gorillas still maintain a one-point lead over the San Angelo Saints in the Southwest Division as the Saints beat the Wichita Thunder 5-2 on Sunday afternoon.

In Saturday's exciting game, the Bucks jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead in the first six minutes of the game thanks to a pair of power play goals on a five- minute advantage.

However, the Gorillas went to work in the middle stanza as Derek Hahn scored just 30 seconds into the period to make it 2-1. Then the Gorillas would proceed to tie it 2-2 when Henry Kuster found the back of the net.

Amarillo didn't quit and then took the lead 3-2 on a great shot from Mark DeSantis. It would be his first of back-to-back goals as DeSantis would score just 17 seconds later to make it 4-2. The Gorillas rounded out the scoring when Dave Rattray wired home a slap shot for a 5-2 lead after 40 minutes. It would be the most goals Laredo would allow in a single period all season long.

The Laredo Bucks proved why they are the best team in Double 'A' hockey and tried to make a valiant comeback in the third period with a pair of markers to make it 5-4. But Sam Hill halted the Bucks comeback when he fired the puck into the empty net in the final two minutes.

Chris Grenville had three goals and one assist for Laredo in the loss.

WICHITA 5 – AMARILLO 4 – OVERTIME

Another outstanding second period by the Amarillo Gorillas was marred by a goal in overtime as the Thunder dumped the G-men 5-4 at the Bank One Jungle on Friday night.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first 22 minutes of the game the Gorillas went to work and netted three straight goals to take a 3-2 advantage after 40 minutes. Goals came off the sticks of Shawn Roed, Derek Hahn and Tyler Butler.

The Thunder tied the game 3-3 early in the third period, but the Gorillas regained the upper hand when Scott Wray tallied to make it 4-3. But a power play goal by Wichita pulled the visitors even and sent the game to an extra session.

Trevor Allman netted his third goal of the game to win it for the Thunder and keep their Northern Conference playoff hopes in good shape.

The Gorillas return back to action this weekend when they face another powerhouse in the CHL, the Colorado Eagles in back-to-back games at the sold- out Budweiser Event Center. The first game is Saturday night at 8 p.m. Central time and the second half of the twin bill is Sunday evening at 7 p.m. Central time.

Fans can tune into both games on the official flagship station of Gorillas hockey Hot. 99.7, beginning with Gorillas Game Night at 7:40 pm on Saturday and 6:40 pm on Sunday. The face off will be at the top of the hour on both nights. The game is also available on www.amarillogorillas.com. There is no television or CHLTV available for those games.

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2004


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