Scorpions Fall In Offensive Battle

Published on February 16, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


[ AUSTIN, Tex. ]-Saturday night's visit to Austin was quite offensive with the Scorpions falling to Austin 5-4. It was the first time the Scorpions have lost back-to-back games since early January.

Things started quickly inside the Chaparral Ice Arena with Austin jumping out to a lead. Ray Smegal scored his second goal of the year just 1:29 into the contest.

The Scorpions fought back to tie the game with a hard working goal. Mike Prpich carried the puck deep into the zone and fought off multiple body checks. He found an open Craig Macdonald who took a wrist shot, but it was saved by goaltender Miguel Beaudry. Prpich came back to the front of the net and knocked the rebound home tying the game.

Almost immediately after the puck was dropped Austin returned to the power play. Just as the power play expired, J.F. Picard threw a shot through traffic and into the Scorpions' net, giving his team a 2-1 lead.

Offense was the name of the game in the second period. The teams combined for five goals, three on the power play.

The Scorpions started the middle period scoring outburst when Josh Garbutt lit the lamp for the fourth time this season. Once again after play resumed, the Ice Bats were given another power play.

Terry Virtue made New Mexico pay with his seventh goal of the year at the 3:57 mark. The game settled down in the middle part of the period, but didn't take long to pick back up. Virtue scored his second power play goal of the night giving Austin their first two-goal lead of the game at the 13:03 mark.

New Mexico wasted no time getting back in the game. On the very next shift Prpich picked up his second goal of the night, cutting the lead to one. The Scorpions were not satisfied being down a goal and Konrad Reeder tipped in a power play goal tying the score again.

The third period was a whole lot quieter than the first two. One lone power play goal would be the difference as John Ronan scored 5:48 into the period for the game winner.

Saturday, it will be a battle for first place when the Scorpions visit rival Amarillo. The game can be heard on 610 The Sports Animal starting at 5:45 p.m.

The Scorpions will then return home for a Sunday evening game starting at 5:05 p.m. against Lubbock . Following the game fans are invited to bring their cameras and take pictures with their favorite Scorpions players.

Come see the young, tough and exciting New Mexico Scorpions at the Santa Ana Star Center. Flex plan tickets are still available for the remainder of the 2006-07 season. Fans can become a partial Scorpions season ticket holder by choosing as little as four games to attend the rest of the season by calling the Scorpions office at (505) 881-PUCK [7825] or by visiting www.scorpionshockey.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2007


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