Second period woes factor in 5-2 Amarillo loss

December 23, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


Amarillo, TX 12/23/08 - In a game that saw the professional debut of Casey Ftorek, the Amarillo Gorillas allowed three unanswered second-period goals as they fell to the Colorado Eagles 2-1 Tuesday night at the Amarillo Civic Center.

Amarillo got on the board first with a goal from Stuart MacRae, who poked home a Joe Guenther rebound to help his team claim first blood. Colorado defenseman Aaron Schneekloth tied up the game with 9:00 left in the first period. Just 5:15 of playing time later, Riley Nelson made it a 2-1 Colorado lead by potting a rebound chance past Gorillas starting netminder Mike Gorman.

When play resumed in the second period, standout rookie Jake Morissette was able to even the game at two by sliding the puck underneath Colorado goalkeeper Andrew Penner. However, the momentum turned moments afterward when Penner stopped MacRae on a penalty shot-Colorado would score three more times in the second, with Schneekloth tallies bookending a Ryan Tobler goal to put the Eagles up 5-2.

A second penalty shot was awarded to the Gorillas with under 15 seconds to play, giving Amarillo a chance to cut the Colorado lead to two going into the second intermission. John Snowden was robbed by Penner, though, as the Eagles maintained a three-goal advantage going into the third.

The Gorillas could not overcome Schneekloth's hat trick, as the home team mustered just four shots on net in the final frame. Backup Amarillo netminder A.J. Bucchino stopped 17 shots in the third to keep his team within shouting distance down the stretch. Colorado went 3-for-7 on the power play, while Amarillo went 0-for-5 in the losing effort.

The Gorillas held a silent auction fundraiser to benefit former Colorado Eagle Les Borsheim during the game. Over $1,100 was raised for the cause, through items such as signed pictures and pucks.

Amarillo will take the ice again Friday night when they travel to Southwest Division rival Odessa for a 7:05 PM faceoff. Coverage of the game will start at 6:50 PM on 1010 AM "The Canyon" in the Amarillo area, with free online video coverage via the CHL Network (www.nifty-tv.com/chl).

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 23, 2008


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