Tough-luck Gorillas drop second straight to Sundogs

February 7, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


Prescott Valley, AZ 2/6/09 - The Amarillo Gorillas gave up two third-period goals en route to a 5-3 loss to the Arizona Sundogs Friday night at the Tim's Toyota Center, losing their second straight to Arizona and their third straight overall.

Amarillo jumped out to an early lead, getting a goal from John Snowden just 58 seconds into the contest. The veteran crossed the Arizona blueline on a partial breakaway, veering past Sundogs netminder Joel Gistedt and wristing the puck into the net. The lead would stand for Amarillo until nearly 17 minutes later, when Arizona's A.J. MacLean shot the puck through the legs of Gorillas' goaltender A.J. Bucchino and into the net. MacLean's goal took both teams into the locker room tied at one following twenty minutes of play.

The 1-1 tie would remain until Chris Bartolone gave the Sundogs the lead at 12:23 of the second period, ripping the puck past a screened Bucchino with Arizona on the power play. The hosts would build their lead to 3-1 moments later, when Rob Lehtinen scored on a 2-on-1 break. Amarillo battled back, though, as Joe Guenther scored a power play goal with1:09 remaining in the second to keep the Gorillas within one heading into the third period.

The Sundogs would strike quickly in the third, getting a Peter Cartwright breakaway goal and an Andre Selander deflection tally within the first 6:03 of the final frame. Though the Gorillas managed 11 shots on Gistedt in the third, they could manage only one more goal-a Sam Ftorek powerplay marker-before the final buzzer.

Bucchino (2-7-0) took the loss for Amarillo (12-29-1), as the Gorillas fell 20 points behind the Sundogs for the fifth and final playoff spot in the CHL's South. The two teams will play each other again Saturday night, in a game that will face-off at 8:05 PM Central Time. Coverage of the game will be on 1010 AM "The Canyon" over the radio in the Amarillo area, and via a worldwide free online video feed on 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.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2009


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