Gorillas take home opener 5-2
October 21, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX - The Amarillo Gorillas special teams were on display Saturday night as they opened up their 2006-07 season with a 5-2 win over the New Mexico Scorpions at the Amarillo Civic Center. The Gorillas opened the 06-07 offense with a short-handed goal by Rich Hansen late in the first period and kept the special teams dominance going as the Apes poured on 3 third period power play tallies and another short-handed marker en route to the Opening Night victory. Rich Hansen led the way with 2 goals (SHG, PPG) while Bill Vandermeer added a goal and an assist and Kevin Wilson poured in 3 assists. Things were tight through the opening 40 minutes but the Gorillas bombarded the Scorpions in the third out shooting New Mexico 12-5 in the final frame and consequently outscoring the Scorpions 4-1 in the third.
Jamie Vandespyker picked up his first win of the season as he turned aside 18 of 20 New Mexico shots. The game was really dominated by special teams as the teams combined for 22 total power plays. The Gorillas finished 3 for 10 with the man advantage while the Scorpions struggled all night long to establish their power play and in the end went only 1 for 12 with the power play while surrendering 2 short-handed goals against.
The Opening Night win is just the 2nd in Gorillas history as the Apes improved to 2-3 both on Opening Night and in Home Openers. The loss on Opening Night for New Mexico is its first in 4 years.
The Gorillas are back in action next Friday when they travel to Odessa to battle another Southwest division rival in the Jackalopes.
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Central Hockey League Stories from October 21, 2006
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