Special teams struggles continue for Amarillo in 5-3 loss

February 27, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


North Richland Hills, TX 2/27/09 - The Amarillo Gorillas surrendered three special teams goals Friday night to the Texas Brahmas (and scored none) en route to a 5-3 loss at the NYTEX Sports Centre.

The Brahmas would get on the board first, just 3:17 into the first period. Scott Sheppard took a drop pass from Jason Deitsch and wristed the puck by Amarillo goaltender A.J. Bucchino from the slot, giving the Brahmas an early 1-0 lead. Deitsch himself got on the board only moments later-with the Brahmas on a 5-on-3 power play, Deitsch took a cross-crease pass from Jordan Cameron and fed it into the net behind Bucchino. The Gorillas would muster seven shots on net in the first period, none of them evading Texas netminder David Cacciola.

With the Brahmas leading 2-0 to begin the second period, Amarillo would battle back to within one on a Stuart MacRae goal. Jamie McKinven took a shot from the right point, with MacRae tipping it past Cacciola for the Gorillas' first tally of the evening. During the first 12 minutes of the second period, Amarillo outshot the Brahmas 10-2, but could not muster more than a single goal during the span.

Texas rallied with a powerplay goal from Sheppard at 16:27 of the period, on assists from Deitsch and Cameron, to increase the Brahmas' lead back to two. Matt Burto would follow with another Texas goal just under two minutes of playing time later, as he tipped a Pete Rouleau feed past Bucchino to give Texas their largest lead of the evening, 4-1.

John Snowden would battle back before the period concluded, however. Snowden took a pass from MacRae and broke in on Cacciola. Despite losing the puck off the front of his stick, the puck's inertia carried it past the pads of the Brahmas' netminder and behind the goal line. The unlikely goal put Amarillo back within two, 4-2, heading into the third period.

The Gorillas would close to within a goal at 8:32 of the third period, when defenseman Alex Greig beat a screened Cacciola for his second goal of the season. Only moments later, the Gorillas received their fifth power play of the night on a Kevin McLeod cross-checking minor. The man-advantage would work against Amarillo, though, when Burto scored a shorthanded goal (and the Brahmas' third special teams goal of the game) at 10:17 of the third.

Despite a 5-on-3 power play in the third period, which came after a large scuffle between the two teams with 8:40 to go in the game, the Gorillas failed to get on the scoreboard once more. Cacciola held the visitors scoreless late, as Amarillo (15-34-3) dropped to 1-3-1 in 2008-09 against the Brahmas, and 0-5-0 in their last five road games.

Amarillo will play next at Odessa Saturday, paying a visit to the Jackalopes for the fifth time this season. Coverage of the game will be carried on 1010-AM "The Canyon" in the Amarillo area, and worldwide via a free video feed on the CHL Network. In addition, the Gorillas will be hosting a "Home Away From Home" party for Saturday night's game at The Dugout, on Olsen Blvd. in Amarillo. Festivities at The Dugout will begin at 6:30 PM, with the game facing off at 7:05 PM-join fellow Gorillas fans for the broadcast of the game in a fun, friendly atmosphere!

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.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2009


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