AMARILLO, TX – It’s time to drop the puck on the 21st consecutive year of  Hockey In the Texas Panhandle.

The Amarillo Bulls hit the ice for their seventh season in the North American Hockey League beginning tomorrow (Friday) night at 7 pm against the defending South Division Champion Wichita Falls Wildcats at Kay Yeager Coliseum.

The two teams met a total of 12 times last season with the Bulls collecting just three points but 10 of the 12 games decided by three goals or less. The Bulls and the Wildcats have a combined 12 returning players to their roster. Wichita Falls has a new Head Coach with Tony Curtale returning to the NAHL, taking over from John LaFontaine who moved on the USHL.

The Bulls roster features a variety of new young talent with several players collecting hardware last year from USA Hockey National Championships. Two new goaltenders will make their debut with Nikita Babintsev and Kyle Madore taking over from Anton Martinson and Brian Baker who both are off to the collegiate level.

Fans can tune into the action live on CBS Sports Radio 1440, and online at www.amarillobulls.com as well as on PPV with Fast Hockey beginning with the Wayland Baptist University Warm Up Show at 6:40 pm. Denis J. Puska returns for his record 11th season behind the mic in the Texas Panhandle as voice of the Bulls. He will have the hard hitting action at 7 pm.

The following night it’s the 21st consecutive opening game of a hockey game in the Texas Panhandle as the Bulls will host the Odessa Jackalopes at 7 pm at the Budweiser Bull Pen in the Amarillo Civic Center. This will be a night not to be missed by the fans as the players will be introduced one by one during the pre-game ceremony.

Ticket special offers families and friends opportunities for tickets and food. The Family Fun Pack Presented By Sonic consists of four tickets, four hotdogs and four sodas for $44 or the Bring-A-Bud Pack that has two tickets, two sodas and two hotdogs for $22.

Tickets are available at the Bulls Office that will be open Friday from 9 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm or by calling 806-242-1122. Fans can also order tickets at the Civic Center Box Office and all Panhandle Ticket Locations including United Supermarkets or online at www.panhandletickets.com.

Fans not making it to the game can tune into the action live on CBS Sports Radio 1440, online at www.amarillobulls.com and on PPV with Fast Hockey beginning with the Wayland Baptist University Warm Up Show at a special start time of 6:45 pm. The puck drop follows at 7 pm.