AMARILLO, Texas – The buses put a lot wear on the tires this past weekend for the Amarillo Bulls and the New Mexico Mustangs.
The two teams played 3 games in less than 72 hours, with the Bulls taking 4 of 6 points from the Mustangs… both games won on Rio Rancho ice –– 7-2 Bulls on Friday and 3-1 Bulls in a sparsely attended Sunday game.
Amarillo’s home opener before a crowd of 2,511 Amarillo Bulls fans – while not having the results the Bulls wanted – showcased some excellent hockey.
The Bulls doubled the Mustangs’ shots-on-goal 49-25, but New Mexico 
netminder, Randy Graham rode the bus home with the win after Adam Chaple’s powerplay goal 15:34 of the third period. It would be the only score of the period.
The Bulls seem to have taken some advice from legend Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” At the end of the series, the defending Southern Division Champs had pummeled New Mexico 127 to 62 shots-on-goal, and hold first place in the Southern Division with a 5-1-1 record.
The week’s play also garnered Amarillo’s John Gustafsson Combat Hockey’s First Star of the Week honors. Gustafsson, 19, from Ljungby, Sweden, recorded 7 points in the three-game series (4g, 3a).
Coach Dennis Williams said of Gustafsson, “John had a great weekend and he has a tremendous skill set. He is still trying to transition from playing in Sweden, and I think he has done a great job so far.”
Gustafsson not only leads the Bulls in scoring, but is tied for fourth place in the NAHL with 12 points.
Amarillo netminder, Gregg Gruehl, (Mayfield Heights, OH) is currently third in goalie standings with a 4-1 record, 1.53 GAA and .910 save percentage.
The Amarillo Bulls return to action Friday and Saturday with a trip to South Texas to take on the Corpus Christi IceRays (3-4-0). Game time is set for 7 pm on both nights at American Bank Center.
Contact Rushe.Hudson@prohockeynews.com
