NAHL Amarillo Bulls

Luke Jenkins Scores Three as Bulls Beat Wildcats 8-3

Published on December 29, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Amarillo Bulls News Release


AMARILLO, TX - The Amarillo Bulls began their second half of the North American Hockey League season on the right foot on Wednesday night.

A hattrick by Luke Jenkins and a four goal first period lifted Amarillo past the Wichita Falls Wildcats 8-3 at the Budweiser Bull Pen in the Amarillo Civic Center. That victory and the Texas Tornado win over Corpus Christi kept the Bulls lead to 10 points in the South Division.

"It's really hard to get back after Christmas, you are at home and your mind set is different," said Bulls Volunteer Assistant Coach Austin Sutter, who was filling in for Assistant Coach Rocky Russo who was on a recruiting assignment. "Some of the guys had two and other had one skate before this game. They came together mentally and brought a good performance to the table tonight."

The first period start was the difference in the hockey game as the Bulls not only scored four times but wired 19 shots on goal. Ryan Taylor started the scoring at the 2:44 mark from Zane Popilock. Michael Erickson added to the lead with a power play goal from Karl Beckman and TJ Sarcona. Tyler Deresky made it 3-0 when he scored off a pass from John Rey at 10:13.

The Bulls were not done yet as Luke Jenkins scored off a deflection from TJ Sarcona at 13:55.

However, the Wichita Falls Wildcats weathered the storm and scored two goals in less than four minutes to trim the lead to just 4-2 after 20 minutes of play.

The second period was all Amarillo and it was Joe Kozlak who ended any hopes of a Wildcat comeback when he scored from Luke Jenkins and Brooks Behling at 7:59 to make it 5-2. The Bulls outshot Wichita Falls 16-7 in the middle stanza.

The Bulls offense continued to find success in the third period scoring three times. Luke Jenkins tallied his second on the power play from TJ Sarcona at 3:46. After the Wildcats cut the deficit to 6-3, Mike Erickson added his second of the game when he tipped home a shot from John Rey and Brooks Behling at 11:35.

Jenkins completed his hattrick, scoring his 2nd power play goal from Karl Beckman at 17:10.

The Amarillo Bulls outshot the Wichita Falls Wildcats 45-20.

The game marked the return of Bulls defenseman Zane Popilock who had missed time due to injury, while Culley McCloud was still out of the line-up and is expected to be back next week.

"A guy like Zane is in great shape and ready to go and we are happy to have an extra body back on defense," said Bulls Head Coach Dennis Williams. "I've been really happy with the call-ups like Cody Rogers, Trent Johnson and AJ Strzalkowski who are 94s and 95s. They stepped in well, and give credit to our older guys who were a big brother to them and help them out on the back end."

The Amarillo Bulls return to action this Friday and Saturday with a pair of games on home ice against the New Mexico Mustangs at 7 pm. Friday's game is Run From Your Relatives sponsored by Cattle Call. On Saturday it's the return of New Years Eve Hockey. The Bulls will wear their special Kids Inc Jerseys and a live auction follows immediately after the game with proceeds to benefit that organization. All Kids Inc teams can receive a special group discount.

Tickets can be purchased at the Bulls Hockey Office located at 301 South Polk, Suite 101, in the Amarillo Building; Civic Center Box Office and all Panhandle Ticket Outlets including United Supermarkets. For further information on group rates, or Seven-Game Flex Packs please call the Bulls Office at 806-242-1122.

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North American Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2011


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