Lipsett's Hat Trick Not Enough, Gorillas Fall in Shootout
February 24, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Amarillo, TX 2/24/08 - The Amarillo Gorillas suffered another shootout loss on Sunday night at the Amarillo Civic Center, losing to the Youngstown Steelhounds by a final score of 5-4. The Gorillas have dropped four games in a row, going 0-2-2 since winning seven out of eight earlier in the month. With the one point gained, Amarillo now has 44 on the year, one behind the Austin Ice Bats who currently hold the fifth and final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. Amarillo still has a game in hand against Austin however, and will face off with the Bats next Friday night at the Chapparal Ice Arena.
Amarillo would get a hat-trick in the game from Chris Lipsett, and would have to fight just to get the one point in the contest, coming back to tie the game three different times in the third period. Through two periods Youngstown had a 2-1 lead, but Bill Vandermeer would score at 1:59 of the third to knot the game at 2-2.
Chris Richards would tally a breakaway goal to put the Steelhounds back on top at 4:06, but Lipsett's second of the game again tied the score at the 8:09 mark. A shorthanded goal by Petr Pohl at 11:00 of the third would again re-capture the one goal lead for Youngstown but, not to be outdone, Lipsett scored his third of the game with just :45 left in the game. The goal came with goalie Dan Bauer out of the net in favor of the extra attacker. Gorillas coach Jim Wiley called a time out with a faceoff upcoming in the Gorillas offensive zone, and drew up a play that was executed perfectly to tie the game. David Nimmo won a face-off clean in the offensive zone back to Trevor Read who was directly behind him. As Lipsett floated over to the left circle, Trevor Read saucered a pass across to him, and he blasted a one-timer over the right shoulder of Steelhounds goalie Kevin Beech.
Both teams would exchange chances in the overtime session, but timely goaltending from Beech and Bauer forced the game to a shootout. The Gorillas had a lead after two rounds with Chris Martini converting on his attempt, but back-to-back goals from Chris Richards and Jason Baird put the pressure back on Amarillo. Bauer would make a save on the fifth shooter giving Amarillo a chance to force another round, but Chris Lipsett was denied by Beech, giving the Steelhounds the 5-4 win.
Amarillo has three games next week, hosting the Arizona Sundogs on Thursday night at 7:05, before heading to Austin for a game on Friday night at 7:38, and finally on to Odessa for a Saturday night tilt set for 7:05.
FUN FOR THE WHOLE GROUP:
This season bring your group out to the Gorillas game for a night of fun and entertainment. Whether you're a business looking to have a night out for your employees, celebrating a birthday party, or just a group of people looking for an excuse to get out and have some fun we've got the group package for you. You can get your group tickets for as little as $8 per ticket! For more information call the Gorillas office at 242-PUCK.
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Central Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2008
- Lipsett's Hat Trick Not Enough, Gorillas Fall in Shootout - Amarillo Gorillas
- Hounds Beat Gorillas 5-4 In A Shootout - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Rage Regains Sole Possession of Division Lead - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Rage, Reid Retake First Place in Division - Colorado Eagles
- Bucks To Hold Press Conference Monday - Laredo Bucks
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