Rookie play fuels 7-4 Amarillo victory
Published on December 27, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Amarillo, TX 12/26/08 - Jake Morissette and Jonathan Ornelas each had three points and Mike Gorman made 35 saves against his former team to lead the Amarillo Gorillas in a 7-4 victory over the Odessa Jackalopes.
The game was the first in a home-and-home series between the two rivals, with the Gorillas drawing the first goal of the game when Ornelas ripped a shot behind Odessa netminder (and former Gorilla) Dan McWhinney at the 8:13 mark of the first period. Amarillo followed up with a goal under five minutes later when a Nick Theriault shot was deflected by McWhinney to make the early lead 2-0. Jason Weitzel would score for the Gorillas before Sebastien Thinel tallied late in the first to make the score 3-1 entering the first intermission.
Amarillo began the scoring in the second period as well, when Nick Theriault ripped a slapshot past McWhinney while on the powerplay to extend the Amarillo lead to three. Jake Morissette followed up with a powerplay goal of his own to push the lead to 5-1, Amarillo.
Odessa began to battle back, beginning with a Philippe Plante power play score with 39 seconds to play in the second. After the first 17-plus minutes of the third period went scoreless, Brian Swiniarski knocked a rebound chance past Gorillas goaltender Gorman to bring the Jackalopes to within two. On the ensuing face-off, though, confusion between McWhinney and the Odessa bench resulted in another Theriault goal-scored from center ice-as Amarillo extended their lead back to three.
A late Odessa Josh Chase marker was negated by a Sam Ftorek empty net goal, as the Gorillas held on for the victory, 7-4.
Amarillo (9-17-0) got four points from Theriault and two points each from Joe Guenther and Ftorek to add to the Ornelas and Morissette three-point games. Gorman (7-9-0) got his second win in two games this season against his former team, as the season series was evened up at 2-2-0 with the Amarillo victory.
The Gorillas' next game will take place Saturday night at the Amarillo Civic Center, when they host the Jackalopes in the latter end of the home-and-home series. The face-off will start at 7:05 PM, with fans receiving a coupon to 575 Pizzeria at the gates. Tickets are available by calling (806) 242-PUCK (7825).
Enjoy all the benefits of being an Amarillo Gorillas season ticket holder, including pregame meetings with Coach Coolen and one-of-a-kind access to special events! Gorillas season tickets for 2008-09 are still available by calling (806) 242-PUCK (7825) or by visiting the Gorillas office at 901 Buchanan in Amarillo.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2008
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- Mississippi Rallies Past Tulsa in Oklahoma - Mississippi RiverKings
- Moyer, Leveille Lead Jacks to 7-3 Win - Odessa Jackalopes
- Rookie play fuels 7-4 Amarillo victory - Amarillo Gorillas
- Bugs Offense Stalls in Corpus Christi - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Thunder Stings Rio Grande Valley - Wichita Thunder
- Oilers Saturday preview - Tulsa Oilers
- Bucks And Rage Battle Tonight - Laredo Bucks
- Sundogs Blank The Rush For The First Time - Rapid City Rush
- Rookie play fuels 7-4 Amarillo victory - Amarillo Gorillas
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