Gorillas Take Four of Possible Six Points over the Weekend

Published on December 17, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


Outstanding team play by the Amarillo Gorillas continued this week as they

picked up four of a possible six points in Central Hockey League action. The Gorillas dumped the El Paso Buzzards 5-4 in a shootout on Thursday night in the Sun City, but dropped a 5-3 home-ice decision to the Indianapolis Ice on Friday night. Amarillo rebounded nicely with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs on Saturday night.

The Gorillas saw their record improve to 12-9-0 for 24 points, but remain in third place in the Northern Conference's Northwest Division behind the Oklahoma City Blazers. Amarillo sits in fifth place in the Northern Conference, just three points behind the Indianapolis Ice and five points behind the Oklahoma City Blazers.

Joe Ferras' charges are unbeaten in shootouts this season with a mark of 5-0 as five different players have accounted for the game winning goals.

Goaltender Shawn Degagne posted both victories and improved his record to 5-5 with a Goals Against Average of 2.97.

AMARILLO GORILLAS 5 – EL PASO BUZZARDS 4 –SHOOTOUT

In El Paso on Thursday night, the Gorillas rallied from three one-goal deficits to beat the Buzzards 5-4 in a shootout. Rookie Derek Hahn had two goals for Amarillo, including the game winner in the shootout. Single markers came off the sticks of Dorian Anneck, Henry Kuster and Ben Maidment. Maidmen'ts goal tied the game up at 4-4 with about 10 minutes remaining in the third period. Goaltender Shawn Degagne posted his fourth victory of the season and remained unbeaten in shootouts.

INDIANAPOLIS ICE 5 – AMARILLO GORILLAS 3

The Amarillo Gorillas surrendered three goals in the first 16 minutes of the game and fell 5-3 on home ice to the Indianapolis Ice. The Gorillas put up a good fight in this one and closed the deficit to one goal on two different occasions, but

couldn't tie the score. Henry Kuster, Darren Curry and Dave Rattray were the marksmen for the Gorillas.

AMARILLO GORILLAS 3 – BOSSIER SHREVEPORT MUDBUGS 2 – SHOOTOUT

More than 4,600 fans witnessed a thrilling hockey game as the Gorillas rallied from a 2-0 third period deficit to finally beat the Mudbugs 3-2 in a shootout.

Ben Maidment's first of two goals began the Gorillas march at the 1:48 mark that sent down a bevy of stuffed animals, teddy bears and stuffed gorillas. Fans showered the ice in record numbers as part of the annual Teddy Bear toss for the Eveline Rivers Society.

Maidment's second goal of the game pulled the Gorillas even just past the midway mark. Dorian Anneck assisted on both goals, while Darren Curry had the other assist.

The shootout was exciting as it took 11 players before Brandon Carper fired one past goaltender Jonathan Forest to secure the win and send the fans home happy

WHAT'S UP: GORILLAS TO FACE TWO BILL MCDONALD TEAMS

THURSDAY, DEC. 18 – AMARILLO GORILLAS @ NEW MEXICO SCORPIONS

This game will mark the debut of Bill McDonald as the new Head coach/Director of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager of the New Mexico Scorpoins.

The former head coach of the Lubbock Cotton Kings was named to the post on Monday.

This is the third meeting of the season between the Scorpions and the Gorillas. Each team has won once on home ice and both games had lots of intensity and emotion.

In their last game, the Scorpions scored in the final minute of regulation to beat Amarillo 3-2.

The game can be heard live on 1440 Am The Score, beginning at 7:40 p.m. with the Pizza Hut Gorillas Warm Up Show

FRIDAY, DEC. 19 – LUBBOCK COTTON KINGS @ AMARILLO GORILLAS

There will be a new twist on the I-27 rivalry between Lubbock and Amarillo as Tracy Egeland takes over behind the bench of the Cotton Kings and replacing Bill McDonald. After dropping the first two meetings to Lubbock, the Gorillas have won the last two by scores of 2-0 and 3-2.

This game can also be heard live on 1440 Am The Score, beginning with the Pizza Hut Gorillas Warm Up Show at 6:40 p.m.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 17, 2002


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