Power play goals lift Sundogs over Gorillas in OT
February 14, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Amarillo, TX 2/14/09 - The Arizona Sundogs scored three times on six power plays, including a Dwayne Hay tally in overtime, to defeat the Amarillo Gorillas 4-3 at the Amarillo Civic Center Saturday night.
The host Gorillas drew first blood, as Alex Greig fluttered a wrist shot into the net behind a screened Joel Gistedt (in goal for the Sundogs). Greig's first goal of the season, on an assist from Sam Ftorek, put Amarillo on top 1-0 9:49 into the period. Mark Kolanos would answer for the Sundogs at 18:08 of the first, jamming a rebound by Gorillas' starting netminder A.J. Bucchino to tie the game at one.
The score would remain 1-1 until the 8:40 mark of the second period, when Stuart MacRae wristed the puck by Gistedt on a feed from Mike Handza to put Amarillo on top by one. Karl Sellan answered with a power play goal for Arizona, after the feisty forward poked a rebound past Bucchino to once again draw his squad even. The tie would last for just under two minutes, though, as Joe Guenther deflected a Sam Ftorek shot past Gistedt with Amarillo on the power play. The second period would end with the Gorillas leading 3-2, as they mustered 20 shots in the middle frame.
Arizona would respond by tossing 23 shots on Bucchino in the third period, scoring on a Matt Craig rebound opportunity to tie the game at 12:20. Despite late power plays for both teams, neither squad could manage to take the lead by the conclusion of the third period.
Both teams would exchange early chances in overtime, before Amarillo's James Jernberg was whistled for an interference penalty midway through the extra frame. Just 13 seconds into the power play opportunity, Hay scored his first of the season on a feed from Hood, ending the game and giving Arizona their 22nd win of the season.
Bucchino (4-7-2) stopped 48 shots in the loss, as Amarillo (14-29-2) gave up a season-high 52 shots on net to the Sundogs. Meanwhile, Gistedt (8-12-0) captured the win for Arizona (22-25-3), sending the Gorillas to their first-ever loss while at home on Valentine's Day. Still, Amarillo kept their streak of collecting points alive, grabbing a point in the CHL standings for their fourth consecutive game.
The Gorillas will play again Tuesday, as they travel to New Mexico to play in the Scorpions' annual day game, rescheduled from December. Opening face-off is scheduled for 11:30 AM Central Time, with coverage in the Amarillo area on 1010 Am "The Canyon" and worldwide via the CHL Network's free, live video stream.
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 14, 2009
- Killer Bees suffer loss to IceRays - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Jacks Fall Short in Marathon Finish - Odessa Jackalopes
- Dozen rounds give Brahmas 4-3 win in SO - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Colorado Comeback Comes Up Short - Colorado Eagles
- RiverKings Sweep Eagles in Colorado - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Not Very Sweet To New Mexico - New Mexico Scorpions
- Bucks Dump Scorps On Valentine's Day 4-2 - Laredo Bucks
- Bees squeak past IceRays - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Power play goals lift Sundogs over Gorillas in OT - Amarillo Gorillas
- Killer Bees win over Corpus Christi - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Thunder Downed by Oilers - Wichita Thunder
- Bucks And Scorpions Battle Again Tonight - Laredo Bucks
- Blazers Top Rush In First Visit To Rapid City - Rapid City Rush
- Jacks Fall 3-2 After Unlikely Goal - Odessa Jackalopes
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