Scorpions Break out with Five Wins in Six Games

Published on December 1, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


SCORPIONS ON THE RADIO – The Scorpions are teaming up again this season with SportsRadio 610 The Sports Animal to bring you all of the Scorpions action on the radio. Mike Sheehan returns for his second season as the Voice of the Scorpions. Wednesday's game is scheduled to air on 610 The Sports Animal while Tuesday, Friday and Saturday's games will air on KTBL 1050-AM. The games are also available on the Internet through www.sportsjuice.com.

SCORPIONS HOCKEY TALK CONTINUES – Scorpions Hockey Talk takes this week off due to the Scorpions' busy schedule before returning Tuesday, Dec. 9 live from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coaches Sports Grill, 1414 Central SE just east of I-25. Join Mike Sheehan and Scorpions coach Bill McDonald and special Scorpions guests every show. There will be food and drink specials as well as merchandise giveaways each week.

SCORPIONS TICKETS AND EVENTS – This Saturday's game against Oklahoma City is Military Appreciation Night. The Scorpions will be wearing special jerseys for this game, and military personnel can purchase $7 tickets at the Kirtland AFB ITT Office, or by calling Brian Kessack at the Scorpions office, (505) 881-7825, ext. 106. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game at the Jockey Club located at the Downs at Albuquerque. The game is also ABC Seamless Yo-Yo Night to the first 1,500 fans through the doors.

SCORPIONS RECAP –

SCORPIONS 4, TULSA 3 (OT) – Mike Oliveira scored with 2:06 left in overtime for his first career hat trick to give the Scorpions a 4-3 win over the Oilers. Oliveira also assisted on a goal for his second career four-point game. Ben Gorewich also scored while Chris Richards had three assists. Danny Lorenz stopped 33 of 36 shots in goal for the win.

SCORPIONS 3, TULSA 2 (SO) – Brian Barker scored in the sixth round of the shootout to give the Scorpions a 3-2 win at Tulsa for their second win over the Oilers in three nights. Matt Mathias scored his first professional goal in the second period while Mike Oliveira added a goal midway through the third. Danny Lorenz stopped 30 shots during the game and five of six Tulsa skaters during the shootout.

SCORPIONS 3, FORT WORTH 1 – After sitting in a parking lot outside Oklahoma City for 14 hours due to a bus breakdown, the Scorpions came together in Fort Worth for a 3-1 win for their third straight win and dealing the Brahmas their tenth straight loss. Again, New Mexico's line of Chris Richards, Mike Oliveira and Brian Barker did most of the damage, with Richards and Oliveira each getting a goal and two assists while Barker scored the game-winning goal for the second straight night. Danny Lorenz won his fifth straight start with 20 saves.

SCORPIONS MATCH-UPS –

MEMPHIS – The two-time defending President's Cup champions make their first-ever visit to Tingley Coliseum tomorrow night. Memphis has shown no signs of letting up under new coach Jim Wiley, racing out to first place in the Northern Conference with a 15-6-0 record. Two-time CHL MVP Don Parsons leads the league with 15 goals and is fifth overall with 29 points. Jonathan Gagnon is currently on recall to St. John's of the AHL, but isn't far behind Parsons with 24 points (12g-12a). Goalies Shawn Conschafter (6-3-0, 2.77 GAA) and J-F Racine (3-1-0, 3.01 GAA) split the goaltending duties.

COLORADO – The Eagles split a pair of games with Memphis last week, ending their 11-game unbeaten streak. The Eagles boast three of the top six scorers in the league in Greg Pankewicz (1st, 14g-23a-37pts), Ryan Tobler (4th, 12g-20a-32pts) and Riley Nelson (6th, 13g-12a-25pts). Pankewicz also leads the league with a +18 plus/minus rating. The Eagles are the CHL's second-ranked offensive team averaging 3.89 goals per game. Goalie Ryan Bach (12-5-1, 2.66 GAA) leads the league with 12 wins on the season. The Eagles are 2-1 against the Scorpions this year, winning both previous meetings in Colorado.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Scorpions face a home-and-home series with the Blazers to finish up a busy week. The Blazers have won three straight road games but are just 1-3-1 in their last five contests at home. Newcomer Doug Sheppard leads OKC in scoring with nine goals and 21 points, following by returning forward Blair Manning with 19 points (3g-16a). Goalies Sean Connors (6-3-1, 2.55 GAA) and Boyd Ballard (5-5-1, 2.61 GAA) have been alternating starts for the Blazers. Oklahoma City averages 36.8 shots per game, the most of any team in the league.

COMING OF AGE – Rookie winger Brian Barker seems to be finding his niche with this Scorpions team. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound native of Deer Lake, Newfoundland has put together a six game point-scoring streak, with eight points (3g-5a) during that time. He also recorded the first two game-winning goals of his pro career in back-to-back games at Tulsa and Fort Worth this weekend. Barker is currently third on the Scorpions with 15 points (4g-11a) in 18 games.

MORE STREAKS – The Scorpions have won three straight games overall as well as three straight road games, which ties them for the longest such streak in the league with Oklahoma City and Laredo. Danny Lorenz has won five straight starts for the Scorpions. Mike Oliveira has points in eight of his 11 games since joining the Scorpions in early November, recording more than one point in all but seven of those eight games. He also has a goal in three straight games.

STINGERS – Oklahoma City is the last Northwest Division rival that the Scorpions have yet to face this season... The teams split two games last year, with the road team winning each game... Chris Richards had his seven game point-scoring streak snapped Friday at Tulsa, but responded with three points on Saturday at Fort Worth... Defenseman Arturs Kupaks is heating up with points in seven of his last nine games... Danny Lorenz has stopped eight of ten skaters in the shootout this season... Peter Ambroziak was placed on 14-Day Injured Reserve after injuring his shoulder in Wednesday's home game against Tulsa, joining Walker McDonald (14-Day) and Clint Wensley (45-Day).

SCORPIONS RESULTS – 8-9-1 record, 17 pts., T-4th place, Northwest Division (4-3-0 home, 4-6-1 away)

Wednesday, Nov. 26 SCORPIONS 4, Tulsa 3 (OT) – Mike Oliveira – 1st career hat trick, assist; Chris Richards – 3a

Friday, Nov. 28 Scorpions 3, TULSA 2 (SO) – Brian Barker – GW goal; Matt Mathias – 1st pro goal

Saturday, Nov. 29 Scorpions 3, FORT WORTH 1 –Oliveira – 1 goal, 2 assists; Richards – 1 goal, 2 assists Home team in CAPS

SCORPS IN ACTION –

Tuesday, Dec. 2 Scorpions vs. Memphis RiverKings (15-6-0, 30 pts., 1st place, Northeast Div.) – 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 3 Scorpions at Colorado Eagles (13-5-1, 27 pts., 1st place, Northwest Div.) – 7:05 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 5 Scorpions at Oklahoma City Blazers (11-8-2, 24 pts., 2nd place, Northwest Div.) – 6:35 p.m. MST

Saturday, Dec. 6 Scorpions at Oklahoma City Blazers (11-8-2, 24 pts., 2nd place, Northwest Div.) – 7:05 p.m.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from December 1, 2003


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.

OurSports Central