Morissette's four goals help Gorillas down Sundogs
February 7, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Prescott Valley, AZ - After being vanquished twice this week by their divisional rival, the Amarillo Gorillas earned a 6-3 victory against the Arizona Sundogs Saturday night at the Tim's Toyota Center.
For the second consecutive evening, Amarillo emerged to an early 1-0 lead. Jon Ornelas tipped a Sam Ftorek shot past Arizona netminder Joel Gistedt with the Gorillas on the power play, giving the Gorillas the first lead just 2:36 into the game. Arizona would answer quickly with a power play goal of their own, as Matt Craig poked a rebound by Amarillo goaltender A.J. Bucchino to tie the game at one 4:52 into the first period.
Jake Morissette would give Amarillo a 2-1 lead 11:37 into the initial period, scoring his first of the evening while on the power play, nudging a rebound past Gistedt. Arizona would counter, scoring two man-advantage goals within a minute of each other-Chris Bartolone and Mark Kolanos (respectively) converted, lifting Arizona to a 3-2 lead by the first intermission.
Morissette tied the game at 7:06 of the second period, scoring on an Ornelas 2-on-1 feed to tie the game, 3-3. It was the first even strength tally for either side, and tilted momentum in Amarillo's favor. Exactly one minute of playing time later, John Snowden scored to give the Gorillas a 4-3 lead. Bucchino's 12-save second period would hold the lead intact through 40 minutes of play.
Both squads were held scoreless though the first three-quarters of the final frame, with Gistedt and Bucchino stymieing the two offenses. Finally, at 15:10 of the period, Morissette pounded home a rebound off a Gordon Bell shot to give the Gorillas the insurance marker they desired, putting his team up 5-3. For Morissette, the goal finished off his first career hat trick, but not his night on the scoresheet-he would tickle the twine on a shorthanded, empty-net goal with just 4.2 seconds left to seal the Amarillo victory.
Bucchino (3-7-0) got the victory for the Gorillas (13-29-1), stopping 37 shots and holding Arizona without a goal through the final two periods. Morissette (4G, 0A) and Bell (0G, 4A) each finished with career nights for the visitors, as Ornelas ended the night with a goal and two helpers.
The Gorillas will play next Wednesday in a road matchup against the Rapid City Rush. Opening face-off for the game is scheduled for 8:05 PM Central Time, with game coverage on 1010 AM "The Canyon" in the Amarillo area and worldwide via the CHL Network.
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 7, 2009
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- Bucks Host Oilers At LEC Tonight - Laredo Bucks
- Tough-luck Gorillas drop second straight to Sundogs - Amarillo Gorillas
- RiverKings Shoot Down Jackalopes 4-1 - Mississippi RiverKings
- Scorpions Rush To Victory - New Mexico Scorpions
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