Scorpions gain ground with perfect weekend

January 26, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


SCORPIONS EVENTS – The Scorpions will be holding a blood drive at the team's offices, 6300 San Mateo NE, this Wednesday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. to benefit United Blood Services, the recipient of this year's Charity Game between the New Mexico Ice Holes hockey team and the Albuquerque Media Jackals, which will be held between periods of Saturday's game against Laredo. Lobo Football Night comes to Tingley on Friday, Jan. 30 when the Scorps host Amarillo at 7:05 p.m. The Scorpions will wear cherry and silver Lobo jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game, and the Lobos football team will be honored between periods. The Scorpions will honor the team's all-time leading scorer with Peter Ambroziak Bobblehead Night on Saturday, Jan. 31 vs. Laredo to the first 1,500 fans.

ALL-STAR GAME RECAP – The Scorpions would like to thank everybody for helping to make the 2004 Dodge CHL All-Star Game a huge success. The game drew an All-Star record crowd of 10,152, with the Northern Conference Dodge Rams beating the Southern Conference Dodge Vipers 12-9. Indianapolis forward Jason Baird was the game's MVP. Scorpions forwards Mike Oliveira and Chris Richards each posted three points. Guest speaker Phil Esposito was warmly received at the Dodge CHL All-Star Banquet.

SCORPIONS RECAP –

SCORPIONS 4, TULSA 2 – The Scorpions scored three goals in the first period and held on for a 4-2 decision over Tulsa on Friday. Vladimir Hartinger led the Scorpions with three assists while Walker McDonald added two helpers. Clint Wensley, Mike Oliveira and Brian Barker scored for the Scorpions while Pat Stachniak also found the back of the net in his first game since being acquired from Odessa earlier in the day. Miguel Beaudry made 40 saves in goal.

SCORPIONS 6, LUBBOCK 4 – The Scorpions scored three times in the first eight minutes of the game and also led 5-0 in the second period before holding on for a 6-4 victory at Lubbock on Saturday. The line of Chris Richards, Mike Oliveira and Peter Ambroziak combined for 11 points last night. Ambroziak led the way with two goals and two assists, Oliveira posted a goal and three helpers while Richards scored and added two assists. Brian Barker and Erik Adams also scored for the Scorpions while Miguel Beaudry made 36 saves.

SCORPIONS 3, BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT 2 – Peter Ambroziak scored with 43.4 seconds remaining in the third period to give the Scorpions a 3-2 win over the Mudbugs. Clint Wensley had tied the game with 6:09 remaining as Bossier-Shreveport led 2-1 going into the third period. Ambroziak and Mike Oliveira each had a goal and an assist for the Scorpions, while Chris Richards had two assists. Danny Lorenz made 28 saves as the Mudbugs lost when leading after two periods for just the second time all season.

SCORPIONS MATCH-UPS –

AMARILLO – The Gorillas have 12 regulation losses this season, and a quarter of them have come at the hands of the Scorpions since New Mexico has won three straight in the season series after dropping the first two games. Amarillo has won three in a row and currently enjoys a five-point lead over San Angelo in the Southwest Division. Derek Hahn has edged into the league' s top 20 in scoring with 46 points (20g-26a). Henry Kuster and Scott Wray are next with 36 points each. Amarillo is fourth in the league allowing 2.38 goals per game. Shawn Degagne is fourth in the league with a 2.25 GAA and second with 21 wins (21-9-2).

LAREDO – The Bucks face the Scorpions for the only time this season on Saturday at Tingley Coliseum. Laredo took two of three games from the Scorpions last season. The CHL's top offensive team by a wide margin averaging 4.24 goals per game, the Bucks are led by the league's top scorer in All-Star Jeff Bes (25g-57a-82pts) and second-leading scorer in Brent Cullaton (25g-47a-72pts), who returned to San Antonio of the AHL following his appearance at the All-Star Game. Chris Grenville is eighth with 53 points (26g-27a). Defensively, the Bucks are also number one allowing just 2.1 goals per outing. Goalies David Guerrera (19-3-1, 1.90 GAA) and Marco Emond (15-2-2, 2.04 GAA) are 1-2 in the CHL.

TOP TRIO COMES THROUGH – The Scorpions' top line of Chris Richards, Mike Oliveira and Peter Ambroziak came through for the Scorpions this weekend. The threesome combined for 18 points in the three games. Oliveira led the way with seven points (3g-4a), followed by Ambroziak with six points (3g-3a) and Richards (2g-3a) with five.

OLIVEIRA NAMED CHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK – See accompanying release

STINGERS – Yesterday's game started a stretch in which the Scorpions will play four straight games against division leaders (Bossier-Shreveport, Northeast; Amarillo, Southwest; Laredo, Southeast; and at Colorado, Northwest)...The Scorpions are 4-1 since beginning a period that will see them play nine of 11 games at home... New Mexico has scored 21 goals in the last five games... With an assist yesterday, Brian Barker has regained the rookie scoring lead in the CHL with 35 points (16g-19a).

SCORPIONS RESULTS –
22-17-3 record, 47 pts., T-2nd place, Northwest Division (14-6-1 home, 8-11-2 away)
Friday, Jan. 23 SCORPIONS 4, Tulsa 2 – Vladimir Hartinger – 3 assists; Miguel Beaudry – 40 saves
Saturday, Jan. 24 Scorpions 6, LUBBOCK 4 – Peter Ambroziak – 2 goals, 2 assists; Mike Oliveira – 1g-3a
Sunday, Jan. 25 SCORPIONS 3, Bossier-Shreveport 2 – Ambroziak GW goal, 1 assist; Danny Lorenz – 28 saves
Home team in CAPS

SCORPS IN ACTION –
Friday, Jan. 30 Scorpions vs. Amarillo Gorillas (28-12-2, 58 pts., 1st place, Southwest Div.) – 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31 Scorpions vs. Laredo Bucks (34-5-3, 71 pts., 1st place, Southeast Div.) – 7:05 p.m.

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. Friday's game is scheduled to air on 610 The Sports Animal while Saturday's game will air on 1050 KTBL-AM. The games are also available on the Internet through www.sportsjuice.com.

SCORPIONS HOCKEY TALK CONTINUES – Scorpions Hockey Talk returns TONIGHT live from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coaches Sports Grill, 1414 Central SE, and on Sports Radio 610 The Sports Animal. Join Mike Sheehan and Scorpions coach Bill McDonald and special Scorpions guests every show.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2004


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