Gorillas Post Win and Two Losses
Published on December 2, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
The Amarillo Gorillas posted one win and two losses over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in Central Hockey League action, and failed to gain any ground on their opponents in the Northern Conference. The Gorillas currently have a .500 mark of 8-8-0 for 16 pts.
THE GOOD NEWS: Henry Kuster's game winning goal in a shootout lifted the Amarillo Gorillas to a 3-2 victory over the Lubbock Cotton Kings on Friday night at The Jungle in the Amarillo Civic Center.
It was the annual Run From Your Relatives Night as a capacity crowd witnessed an exciting and emotional game. Brian Pellerin and Darren Curry scored goals for the Gorillas in regulation time, while Henry Kuster, Ben Maidment, Dorian Anneck and Chris Robertson earned assists.
Goaltender Steve DeBus notched his sixth win of the season and looked solid, making some outstanding stops all night long. He was square to the shooter and didn't let the Cotton Kings have second chances at rebounds.
There were a total of five fights during the game, including a couple of good ones involving rookie Neil Posillico and then later Scott Wray.
THE BAD NEWS: The Amarillo Gorillas were blanked 3-0 by the Oklahoma City Blazers on Wednesday night at The Jungle in the Amarillo Civic Center. The Blazers scored one goal in each of the three periods and then their goaltender Boyd Ballard did the rest.
The Gorillas had good pressure on the Oklahoma City net but couldn't connect.
REUNION NIGHT: Several former Amarillo Gorillas were back in New Mexico on Saturday night, but it wasn't enough as the Scorpions beat the visiting Gorillas 3-2 at Tingley Coliseum.
The loss dropped Amarillo's record to 8-8-0 for 16 pts to remain in third place in the Northwest Division. Head Coach Joe Ferras, player assistants Brian Pellerin and Mark DeSantis, as well as goaltender Steve DeBus and forward Chris Robertson are all
former Scorpion players. It was only the second loss in two seasons for Joe Ferras in New Mexico (4-2 lifetime).
Mark DeSantis' power play goal in the second period helped the Gorillas pull even 1-1 midway through the second period. After New Mexico regained the lead 2-1, Ben Maidment was allowed to break through the defense and wired a goal past the Scorpions goaltender early in the third period to tie the game up at 2-2.
It appeared that this game was destined for overtime, but Peter Ambroziak was left uncovered and tipped home a shot to give the Scorpions the lead with 52 seconds remaining.
GORILLAS STATS PACK: With one win and one loss on home ice, the Gorillas are 4-6 at The Jungle. The loss in New Mexico on Saturday night was the Gorillas second on the road this season and saw their road record fall to 4-2.
The Amarillo Gorillas have the fewest power play opportunities of any team in the CHL with 73 and have been shorthanded the second-fewest (92) of any club.
With an average of 34 shots per game, the Gorillas are fourth in the CHL, but have surrendered an average of 37 shots against which is the second most of any team.
Goaltender Steve DeBus is sixth in the CHL with an impressive 2.32 Goals Against Average in 11 games this season. He has also tied the Amarillo single season record for the most shutouts in a season with two.
THE WEEK AHEAD: A home-and-home series with the Austin Ice Bats highlights this week's action in the Central Hockey League for the Amarillo Gorillas.
The Ice Bats will host the Gorillas on Friday night at the Travis County Expo Center at 7:30 p.m. The teams will then head back to Amarillo and renew acquaintances on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at The Jungle in the Amarillo Civic Center. It's Texas Lottery night and fans have a chance to win big bucks with scratch and win tickets.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2002
- IceRays Drop Consecutive Games to Wichita, Lubbock Over Thanksgiving Weekend - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Fans Flock to See Bucks & Bats - Laredo Bucks
- 'Tis the Season to be Jolly - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Buzzards' waive forward - El Paso Buzzards
- Scorpions Get Big Win over Amarillo - New Mexico Scorpions
- Newest Buzzards Help Snap Losing Streak - El Paso Buzzards
- Marcellus Named CHL Player of the Week - Tulsa Oilers
- Silver Named CHL Goaltender of the Week - Indianapolis Ice
- Marcellus, Silver Take Weekly Honors - CHL
- Pepsi Coliseum Weekend to Feature Torrid Twosome - Indianapolis Ice
- Gorillas Post Win and Two Losses - Amarillo Gorillas
- Saints Week in Review - San Angelo Saints
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