Gorillas surrender five unanswered goals, lose 6-3 to Odessa

Published on February 20, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


Odessa, TX 2/20/09 - Despite a three-goal third period, the Amarillo Gorillas dropped their third straight game to the Odessa Jackalopes, 6-3, at the Ector County Coliseum Friday night.

The teams wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, with the Gorillas emerging to an early 1-0 lead just 1:47 into the first period. Jake Morissette took a shot from the right faceoff circle that deflected off the stick of Josh Chase and behind Odessa netminder Juha Toivonen, collecting his 19th goal of the season. Gorillas defenseman Shaun Stackhouse assisted on the goal, giving the player his first CHL point.

Just over one minute later, Joe Guenther took a feed from John Snowden and ripped a wrist shot by Toivonen, giving the Gorillas a 2-0 lead with 17:06 left in the first period. Odessa was quick to rebound, getting a tally from Domenic Leveille to pull back within a goal at 5:31 of the period. Gordon Bell would answer for the Gorillas in kind, knocking a shot into the net on his forehand with Amarillo on a man advantage. Jackalope enforcer Mario Joly would finish off the scoring in the initial period, putting a wrist shot through the legs of Amarillo goaltender A.J. Bucchino to set the score at 3-2, Gorillas.

After the high-scoring first period, the teams would go over twenty minutes of playing time without a goal. Colin Circelli broke the scoreless draught at 17:12 of the second period, tipping a shot by Bucchino off a feed from Sebastian Thinel to tie the game at three. There would be no further goal scoring in the second, as both teams moved to the final period knotted up.

Jeff Pierce would get the eventual go-ahead goal with 15:50 left in the third, scoring from Circelli to put the Jackalopes on top 4-3. So the score would remain, as the Gorillas fought unsuccessfully to tie the game late. Mike Ramsay would add an empty net goal with 1:14 remaining in the third period, and Thinel scored on a 2-on-0 break with just three seconds remaining to extend the final advantage.

Amarillo (14-31-3) dropped to 2-2-0 at the Ector County Coliseum this season, while Bucchino (4-9-2) absorbed the loss, despite making 36 saves and 20 saves in the first period alone. Amarillo will be back in action Saturday night, as they host the Laredo Bucks at 7:05 PM. Saturday night is "NASCAR Night" in the Jungle, as the Gorillas will wear special racing-themed jerseys to be auctioned off after the game. For tickets, 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 February 20, 2009


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