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Scorpions Go .500 against Tough Slate of Games

December 8, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


SCORPIONS RECAP –

SCORPIONS 8, MEMPHIS 6 – Chris Richards tied a career high with six points on two goals and four assists while Mike Oliveira recorded his second hat trick in a week as the Scorpions outscored the two-time defending champion RiverKings 8-6 on Tuesday. Brian Barker had a goal and two assists for the Scorpions while Arturs Kupaks and Kevin Edgar also found the back of the net. The Scorpions scored the most goals in that game since a 10-1 win over El Paso on Nov. 22, 2002.

COLORADO 4, SCORPIONS 3 (OT) – The Eagles scored with 9.8 seconds left in overtime to claim a 4-3 win over the Scorpions on Wednesday. All three Scorpions goals came from defensemen – Shaun Peet, Jeff Alcombrack and Vladimir Hartinger. Danny Lorenz was dazzling in net with 54 saves. The Scorpions were on the penalty kill for the last 5:20 of regulation but yielded just one goal. Kevin Edgar added two assists for New Mexico.

OKLAHOMA CITY 6, SCORPIONS 1 – The Blazers claimed the first meeting of the year between the two teams on Friday, scoring twice in each period including one power play goal in each period for a 6-1 victory. Josh Tymchak scored the Scorpions lone goal, assisted by Matt Mathias and Jeff Alcombrack. Miguel Beaudry made 30 saves in goal.

OKLAHOMA CITY 5, SCORPIONS 4 (OT) – Ryan Campbell scored with 1:40 left in overtime to give the Blazers both games in the weekend series with a 5-4 win at Tingley Coliseum. Brian Barker scored a pair of goals 3:16 apart in the first period to erase an early 2-0 deficit. Chris Richards and Jeff Alcombrack also scored for the Scorpions while Arturs Kupaks added two assists.

SCORPIONS MATCH-UPS –

LUBBOCK – The Scorpions are 2-1-1 against the Cotton Kings this season after sweeping a home-and-home series on Nov. 21 and 22. The Cotton Kings are 3-2-1 since those meetings with the Scorpions, including a 5-4 win at Amarillo yesterday. Dave MacIntyre (11g-9a-20pts) and Joe Blaznek (7g-12a-19pts) lead Lubbock in scoring. The Cotton Kings are the fifth most-penalized team in the CHL at 24.4 penalty minutes per game and have allowed a league-high six shorthanded goals. Goalies Jeremy Symington (3-5-2, 3.24 GAA) and Mike Brusseau (3-3-0, 3.46 GAA) split the goaltending duties.

COLORADO – The Eagles continue to rely on their line of Greg Pankewicz, Riley Nelson and Ryan Tobler to do most of their damage. Pankewicz (16g-25a-41pts) and Tobler (16g-24a-40pts) are 1-2 in the CHL in scoring, while the trio make up the top three goal scorers as Nelson has 17 tallies on the season, one ahead of the other two. He is fifth in scoring with 35 points. Colorado has the second-best record in the league next to Laredo and is second to the Bucks in scoring at 3.78 goals per game. Goalie Ryan Bach is 13-7-1 on the season with a 2.76 GAA.

GET SHORTY – After going the first 18 games of the season without scoring a shorthanded goal, the Scorpions have turned the trick twice in the last four games. Mike Oliveira did the honors on what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the Scorpions' 8-6 win over Memphis on Tuesday. Brian Barker turned the trick on Saturday as New Mexico bounced back from a 2-0 deficit against Oklahoma City before losing 5-4 in overtime.

STINGERS – Chris Richards leads the Scorpions with ten points (1g-9a) in four games against Lubbock this season... Mike Oliveira is right behind with nine points (3g-6a) in just three games against the Cotton Kings... Brian Barker leads the Scorpions with five points (1g-4a) in four games against Colorado... Richards has 20 points (4g-16a) in nine home games this season... Jeff Alcombrack has a three-game scoring streak and has scored in two of the last three games... The Scorpions now play five games in 19 days after completing a stretch that saw them play ten games in the same length of time... Richards and Oliveira each have 21 points in their last ten games... Peter Ambroziak and Walker McDonald are expected to return to the Scorpions lineup for Friday's game against Lubbock... Walker McDonald is third in the league in shooting percentage, connecting on 30 percent of his shots so far this season... Matt Mathias picked up his first pro assist on Friday at Oklahoma City after scoring his first pro goal a week earlier at Tulsa... The Scorpions now lead the CHL with five hat tricks this season after Oliveira recorded his second of the year against Memphis last Tuesday.

SCORPIONS RESULTS – 9-10-3 record, 21 pts., 4th place, Northwest Division (5-3-1 home, 4-7-2 away)

Tuesday, Dec. 2 SCORPIONS 8, Memphis 6 – Chris Richards – 2 goals, 4 assists; Mike Oliveira – 3g-2a

Wednesday, Dec. 3 COLORADO 4, Scorpions 3 (OT) – Danny Lorenz – 54 saves; Kevin Edgar – 2 assists

Friday, Dec. 5 OKLAHOMA CITY 6, Scorpions 1 – Josh Tymchak – 1 goal; Miguel Beaudry – 30 saves

Saturday, Dec. 6 Oklahoma City 5, SCORPIONS 4 (OT) – Brian Barker – 2 goals; Arturs Kupaks – 2 assists

Home team in CAPS

SCORPS IN ACTION –

Friday, Dec. 12 Scorpions vs. Lubbock Cotton Kings (7-10-3, 17 pts., 4th place, Southwest Div.) – 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13 Scorpions at Colorado Eagles (15-7-1, 31 pts., 1st place, Northwest Div.) – 2:40 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. Both games this week are scheduled to air on 610 The Sports Animal. The games are also available on the Internet through www.sportsjuice.com.

SCORPIONS HOCKEY TALK CONTINUES – Scorpions Hockey Talk returns tomorrow, 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 – Please note that tomorrow's scheduled appearance for the UNM Children's Hospital has been cancelled. Friday's game against Lubbock is Bright Ideas Stress Puck Night for the first 1,500 fans. Next Friday's game on Dec. 19 vs. San Angelo is Creamland Team Poster Night to the first 1,500 fans. On Sunday, Dec. 21 against Amarillo, it will be a busy night with 100.3 The Peak Family Night, the second annual Teddy Bear Toss to benefit area charities and a post-game Skate with the Scorpions presented by Blades Sports Center in Rio Rancho.

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