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Road trip proves successful for Scorpions

December 6, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


LAST WEEK:

TUE. Nov. 28 SCORPIONS@ Rocky Mtn. (4-2 SO loss) Broomfield Event Center

The New Mexico Scorpions grabbed their first point on the road this season as they fell to the Rage 4-3 in a shootout. It was the third time in the last four games the Scorpions picked up at least a point.

The teams wasted no time scoring in the shootout. Bret DeCecco scored for the Rage while Vladimir Hartinger lit the lamp for the Scorps' in the first round. After a quiet second frame, Matic Kralj scored what proved to be the game winner in the third of five rounds.

The Scorpions took the lead in the third period when Jake Brenk recorded his first professional goal. Ryan McLeod gave New Mexico their biggest lead of the game with his eighth goal of the season at the 7:50 mark.

The Rage fought back with two goals of their own. First, Nick Warriner scored on the power play to bring his team within one. Anders Strome continued his three-point night by tying the game with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.

Both teams came out firing in the first 20-minutes combining for 22 shots. The Scorpions got on the board first as Lance Herauf netted fourth goal of the season 10:49 into the game. The opening period continued to be played at a fast pace with very few whistles.

Play became more physical in the second period. In the second minute, Rocky Mountain 's Craig Olynick elbowed the Scorpions' enforcer Kevin Harvey. As Harvey was on the ice, Andrew Smale came to his aid, dropped the gloves with Olynick, and looked impressive.

The Rage gained their first power play of the night six minutes later and eventually turned it into a two-man advantage. Scorps' net minder Walter Bartholomaeus looked strong stopping the four shots he saw, as his team was a couple of players down.

Rocky Mountain delighted their home fans 13:25 in as Strome lit the lamp. His initial shot was blocked by Ryan McLeod's leg, but the puck went right back to Strome who was able to score his ninth goal of the season.

FRI Dec. 1 SCORPIONS @ Arizona (3-2 WIN) Tim's Toyota Center

The New Mexico Scorpions pulled out their first road win of the year with a 3-2 victory Friday night in Arizona . The Southwest division rivals showed it will be a fun month ahead.

The Scorpions started early and never looked back. Craig McDonald started the exciting night with his fifth goal of the year. Chris Robertson won the offensive zone draw to McDonald who put the Scorpions up just 4:52 into the contest. Only one goal was scored in the opening period but the Scorpions and Sundogs certainly dished out their fair share of hits.

New Mexico extended the lead early in the second period when Konrad Reeder took a two-line pass from Lance Herauf. Reeder placed the rolling puck perfectly between the legs of Arizona goalie Chris King for his fourth goal of the season.

Scorpions' goalie David Cacciola shined in his New Mexico debut. He started his Scorpions career with 24:01 of shutout hockey. Dan DaSilva ended that streak when he and Brent Kelly played a two-on-one perfectly to cut into the Scorps' lead.

For the third straight road game, the Scorpions took a lead into the third period; this time they made sure it would stick. Dan Lapierriere took a costly slashing penalty at 8:05 of the final frame.

The Scorpions wasted no time converting as Valdimir Hartinger riffled the shot from the blue line to the back of the net. Hartinger's second goal of the year proved to be the game winner.

Arizona added a late third period goal when Chris Greene knocked a rebound home after the Sundogs pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. That would be the last time Cacciola let something get past his pads.

SAT Dec. 3 SCORPIONS @ Arizona (4-2 WIN) Tim's Toyota Center

The New Mexico Scorpions picked up their second straight road win with a 4-2 victory Saturday night in Arizona . The Scorpions used three power play goals and shut down the Sundogs' power play to beat their division rival.

Arizona got on the board early as Torrie Wheat pushed a rebound past New Mexico goalie David Cacciola. The Scorpions wasted no time fighting back.

Mike Prpich started his big night scoring 46-seconds later tying the game up. Play got physical in the period as the teams traded power plays. With the Scorps' up a man Rob Guinn fired the puck from the blue line and Prpich was able to deflect it just under the crossbar giving New Mexico their first lead of the game.

The rivalry continued to show in the second period as the team combine for 29-minutes of penalties and only two goals.

The Sundogs retied the game as Wheat beat Scorpions' goalie David Cacciola up high 6:34 into the middle frame. As players continued to be ushered to the penalty box, the Scorpions would be the team to take advantage on the special teams.

Aaron MacInnis, who has had perfect timing for his goals this year, picked another perfect time for heroics. With a four-on-three power play under way he ripped a shot from the blue that squeezed through Chris King's pads. It was MacInnis' third goal of the year, and third game winning goal of the season.

Mike Falk added to the lead with a power play goal in the third period. Of his eight goals this season, six have come with the Scorpions a man up.

Cacciola continued to be a great pickup for New Mexico making 39 saves for his second win in as many games. New Mexico's penalty kill stepped up big as they stopped all eight Arizona power plays. The Scorpions finished the week collecting five out of a possible six points in three road games.

Oklahoma City Blazers 12/08/2006 7:35 PM

*TENTH ANNIVERSARY NIGHT-RANDY MURPHY CELEBRATION*

The Scorpions will celebrate "Ten Years of Scorpions Hockey." Banners will be raised to celebrate the last ten years of a great New Mexican tradition. Culminating the evening will be the induction of Assistant Coach/Director of Community Relations Randy Murphy into the Scorpions Hall of Fame.

Season Series: First Meeting All Time Series: Scorpions lead 7-4-1

vs. Rocky Mountain Rage 12/09/2006 7:05 PM

*NICKELODEON NIGHT-COURTESY OF COMCAST CABLE*

The Rage will make their first ever trip to New Mexico Saturday night. Kids of all ages will enjoy the night at SpongeBob SquarePants will be at the Santa Ana Star Center . Comcast Cable is proud to bring "Nickelodeon Night" to the Scorpions game and let everyone become a child for the night.

Season Series: Scorpions trail 0-0-1

All Time Series: Scorpions trail 0-0-1

SCORPIONS PROMOTIONS:

- DECEMBER INTERNET HOLIDAY TICKET SPECIAL-Go "ALL IN" and get your Corner Seat for only $16 when ordering online during the month of December. That is a savings of $6. CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

- PLEASE NOTE THE DEC. 8 GAME VERSUS OKLAHOMA CITY BEGINS AT 7:35 PM. SOME PRINTED MATERIAL HAD A LATER START TIME.

- Fri. Dec. 8-"TENTH ANNIVERSARY NIGHT"-The Scorpions organization will celebrate their ten years on the ice. Culminating the night is the induction of former player and current Assistant Coach/Director of Community Relations Randy Murphy into the Scorpions Hall of Fame. Special banners will be unveiled during a ceremony as well as appearances by former Scorpion favorites Peter Ambroziak, Luciano Caravaggio, Derek Crawford, Darcy Pengelly, Travis Van Tighem and Clint Wensley. The Scorpions will also wear retro jerseys from the 1999-2000 season. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off following the game. In addition, the "legends' jerseys" will also be available during the auction.

- Sat. Dec. 9-"NICKELODEON NIGHT"-Kids of all ages will be excited as their favorite Nickelodeon characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants will be at game. It will be a night of fun and special group pricing is available starting with groups as small as ten.

- Tue. Dec. 12-"TIP A SCORP' NIGHT"- On this night the Scorpions will set aside their hockey uniforms for a different type of outfit. Players will serve as waiters and hosts from 6-9 p.m. All "tips" the Scorpions receive while serving patrons will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico. In addition, Boston 's The Gourmet Pizza will donate 10% of all proceeds during these three hours.

- WEEKEND BROADCAST SCHEDULE-This weekend's games can be heard on 1050 KTBL. For Scorpions fans outside the listening area, you can hear all Scorpions games online by visiting http://www.scorpionshockey.com/schedule/broadcast/.

TEAM NOTES:

The Scorpions will start a season long five game home stand on Dec. 8. New Mexico 's penalty kill has only allowed one goal in the last 16 opponents' chances.

The Scorpions have picked up at least a point in four straight games.

STANDOUTS:

All three of AARON MACINNIS goals have been game winners.

LANCE HERAUF leads all CHL rookies with 15 assists.

ROB GUINN leads all defenseman with 16 assists.

DAVID CACCIOLA became the first Scorpions goalie to win back-to-back games.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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