Gorillas struggle in second, lose 8-3 to Blazers
January 31, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Amarillo, TX - The Amarillo Gorillas surrendered five unanswered goals in the second period as they lost 8-3 Saturday night to the Oklahoma City Blazers at the Amarillo Civic Center.
The Blazers got the scoring started early, with former Gorilla Bill Vandermeer scoring just 56 seconds into the first period, giving Oklahoma City a 1-0 lead. Oklahoma City's Jason Murfitt scored 1:35 later, hammering a shot off the glove of Mike Gorman and across the goal line to extend the lead. Gorman, the starting netminder for Amarillo, was injured on the play and had to be replaced by A.J. Bucchino for the remainder of the game.
Amarillo got back on the board only 34 seconds after Murfitt's goal when Jake Morissette slapped a shot past Blazer goaltender Andy Franck to bring the Gorillas within one. After the rest of the first period passed without a goal, Amarillo's Joe Guenther scored 3:25 into the second period, evening the game up at 2-2.
Oklahoma City rebounded quickly, scoring a goal through Jason Seerey to regain the lead. Moments later, Brian Passmore scored while shorthanded to build the Blazer lead to 4-2, and spark the ensuing three goals by Oklahoma City (scored by Tyler Fleck, Ted Vandermeer, and Chad Hinz, respectively) that would give the Blazers a five-goal edge heading into the third.
Austin Sutter scored mid-way through the third to draw the hosts back within four, but Brian Passmore answered with a goal of his own for Oklahoma City, securing the 8-3 final score.
Bucchino (2-5-0) took the loss for Amarillo (12-26-1), while Franck received his first regulation win since November in net for the Blazers. The Gorillas will play next Wednesday night in Prescott Valley, AZ as they take on the Arizona Sundogs. Opening face-off is scheduled for 8:05 Central Time, with coverage of the game in the Amarillo area on 1010 AM "The Canyon" and online via the CHL Network.
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.
• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...
Central Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2009
- Mudbugs Defense Shuts Down Thunder - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Slow Start Stings Scorpions Again - Colorado Eagles
- IceRays double up Bucks - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Slow Start Hurts Scorpions - New Mexico Scorpions
- Streak still alive - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Gorillas struggle in second, lose 8-3 to Blazers - Amarillo Gorillas
- Bad Bounces Cost Bucks In 6-3 Loss - Laredo Bucks
- Jacks' Streak Snapped in Overtime - Odessa Jackalopes
- Thunder Edged in Bossier - Wichita Thunder
- Bucks Sign All-Star Goalie Martin - Laredo Bucks
- Bucks Look For Three Straight Tonight - Laredo Bucks
- Jacks Get Number Six with 4-1 Win - Odessa Jackalopes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
