Rage stings back
December 21, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release
Broomfield, Colo. - The Rocky Mountain Rage has played the Scorpions twice and the Scorpions have handed the Rage their only two regulation losses of the season. In the first two games, New Mexico outscored the Rage 14-2. Tonight, the Rage answered back defeating the Scorpions 4-2 at the Broomfield Event Center, led by two goals from Rage center Simon Watson.
The Rage improved to 18-2-2 (38 points) for first place in the Northwest Division and the highest winning percentage in the Central Hockey League (.864). The Scorpions fell to 12-10-3 (27 points) for third place in the Southwest Division.
The last battle between the two teams ended in a post-game melee that resulted in two league suspensions per team. The young rivalry continued into tonight's game. The Scorpions drew the first goal at 6:26 of the first period when Erik Johnson slipped the puck in net from the corner boards on the stick side of Rage goaltender Scott Reid. Johnson's goal reignited the fire between the two teams. Fans saw the first fight of the night at 7:56 between New Mexico's Dave Simoes and Rocky Mountain's Jeff Hansen. New Mexico's Craig MacDonald and Rocky Mountain's leading scorer Scott Wray also dueled it out six minutes later behind the play. Wray was assessed a game misconduct.
With five minutes left in the period, Rage captain Brent Cullaton skated end-to-end on a short-handed breakaway opportunity, but Scorpions goaltender Andrew Martin was able to stop the one-man effort as the Rage killed off a New Mexico 5-on-3 advantage.
New Mexico center Chris Robertson earned a shorthanded breakaway chance of his own with 44 seconds left on the clock in the first period, but could not get the puck past Reid. The teams combined for 42 penalty minutes to close out the first period, 30 of which went to the Rage.
In the second period, Cullaton sent a pass across the crease to Simon Watson who scored on the powerplay at 10:38 tying the game.
Rocky Mountain took their first lead of the season against New Mexico with a second powerplay goal by Watson at 17:09. Trevor Weisgerber and Tyler Butler earned assists on the play. It marked Butler's second assist of the night.
Both teams picked up the pace in the third period and stayed out of the penalty box for the first half until a tripping call on Jami Yoder was assessed. New Mexico's Konrad Reeder capitalized on the man advantage at 9:54.
The Rage answered back under one minute later with a goal by Butler to regain the lead. Rage center Daymen Rycroft added an empty net goal from Butler at 18:56 to cap off scoring.
The Rage returns to action tomorrow (Dec. 22) when they host the Wichita Thunder at the Broomfield Event Center. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. Fans not in attendance can also listen in on The New ESPN Radio 1600 or tune in to CHL Network at www.RockyMountainRage.com.
Single-game tickets for all home Rage games are on sale now and range in price from $18-$43 per seat (parking included), and may be purchased through Ticketmaster. Season tickets, mini-packs, and group plans are also available for the 2007-08 season by calling 303-439-RAGE. For more information, visit www.RockyMountainRage.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 21, 2007
- Rage stings back - Rocky Mountain Rage
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- River Kings defeat Brahmas 6-3 - Mississippi RiverKings
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