Rage Lose to New Mexico Again, 4-2
December 2, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release
Rio Rancho, N.M. - The Rocky Mountain Rage suffered just their second defeat in regulation this season and both setbacks have been delivered by the New Mexico Scorpions. Tonight at the Santa Ana Star Center, the Scorpions doubled up the Rage, 4-2, dropping Rocky Mountain to 12-2-2 on the campaign.
New Mexico dominated the first period, striking twice on the power play to take a 3-0 lead through 20 minutes. Craig Macdonald lit the lamp with the extra man at 3:31 before Andrew Smale's shot from the point found the back of the net at 15:08. Mitch Stephens capped the period with another power play marker off a rebound with just 10 seconds left in the frame.
The Rage finally awoke in the second period with some power play magic of their own. Daymen Rycroft scored his 11th of the year at 10:38 followed by another goal with the man advantage off the stick of Nathan Rosychuk at 12:22 to close the gap to 3-2 through 40 minutes.
The contest was still a one-goal game until the final minute of regulation as Rocky Mountain could not solve New Mexico goaltender Andrew Martin for a third time with the equalizer. The Scorpions' Konrad Reeder then converted a penalty shot at 19:02 after being hooked on a break-away to provide his club with an insurance goal and seal the victory.
The game turned ugly in the final 30 seconds of regulation, though. Rage goaltender Terry Dunbar slashed New Mexico's Shawn Skiehar in the face, which prompted Skiehar's teammate, Kevin Harvey, to race off the bench after the final buzzer and cross-check Dunbar back into his net. The benches, which were already in the process of emptying due to the end of the game, continued to fully clear, but a full scale brawl did not ensue. Dunbar and Harvey and perhaps more players from each team will face suspension once the CHL league office reviews video of the incident.
The Rage's team-record eight-game unbeaten streak (7-0-1) ended this evening, but the club still retains a seven-point lead over the Colorado Eagles atop the Northwest Division with 26 points.
Rocky Mountain next takes the ice on Wednesday, Dec. 5, when the club travels to face the Wichita Thunder. The team then returns home to Broomfield Event Center to battle the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs on Friday, Dec. 7, before clashing with the Thunder again on Saturday, Dec. 8. Both games begin at 7:05 p.m.
Single-game tickets for the 2007-08 season are on sale now with prices ranging from $18-$43 per seat (parking included). Fans can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster by logging-on to www.Ticketmaster.com, calling (303) 830-TIXS, or visiting any Ticketmaster retail outlet.
Season tickets, mini-packs, and group plans are also still available for the Rage's 2007-08 season by calling 303-439-RAGE. For more information, visit www.rockymountainrage.com.
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Central Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2007
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- Scorpions All The Rage On Saturday Night - New Mexico Scorpions
- Rage Lose to New Mexico Again, 4-2 - Rocky Mountain Rage
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