Scorpions look to lock up playoff berth

March 13, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


THIS WEEK:

WED Mar. 14 Corpus Christi @ SCORPIONS

7:35 p.m. Santa Ana Star Center

The Scorpions start a five-game in seven-night stretch on Wednesday night. The Rayz will make their inaugural visit to the Santa Ana Star Center to face some familiar faces. Current Scorpion players Matt Frick, Scott Reid and Chris Robertson along with Assistant Coach Randy Murphy and Head Athletic Trainer Brent Woodside were all part of the Corpus Christi organization last season. It promises to be a fun night on the ice as both teams will look to set the tone with a possible playoff match-up looming.

Season Series: Corpus Christi leads 1-0-0

All Time Series: Scorpions lead 9-6-1

FRI Mar. 16 Odessa @ SCORPIONS

7:35 p.m. Santa Ana Star Center

* NEW MEXICO NATIONAL GUARD PUCK AND HAT NIGHT"

Friday starts a stretch where the Scorpions will play four straight games versus Southwest Division opponents in five days. The Jackalopes start the week three points out of a playoff spot. The Scorpions are looking to avenge a shutout loss the last time these two teams played on February 24.

Season Series: Scorpions lead 3-2-0

All Time Series: Scorpions lead 39-26-3

SAT Mar. 17 SCORPIONS @ Amarillo

6:00 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center

Saturday night in Texas will feature a battle between long time divisional opponents who are battling for a division crown. The Scorpions have dropped their last two games inside the Amarillo Civic Center. The teams start the week with only four points separating each other and less than 10 games left in the regular season.

Season Series: Scorpions lead 3-2-1

All Time Series: Scorpions trail 57-34-6

SUN Mar. 18 SCORPIONS @ Lubbock

4:05 p.m. City Bank Coliseum

The busy weekend finishes inside the venerable City Bank Coliseum in Lubbock. The Cotton Kings sit four points out of the final playoff spot to start the week. The Scorpions have played well against Lubbock this season winning six of the first seven meetings. The lone loss came in Lubbock on March 3.

Season Series: Scorpions lead 6-1-0

All Time Series: Scorpions trail 25-21-8

LAST WEEK:

THU Mar. 8 SCORPIONS @ Lubbock

(2-1 SOW)

6:05 p.m. City Bank Coliseum

The Scorpions stopped their five-game road, losing streak with a 2-1 shootout victory in Lubbock Thursday night. Overtime and the standard five-round shootout were not enough, the victory came when Ryan McLeod scored in the sixth round to give his team the victory.

An odd scene occurred during the shootout. After Konrad Reeder scored on Lubbock goalie J.F. Perras in the shootout's first round, the Cotton Kings' net minder fell to the ice in pain. Perras was not able to continue and backup goalie Kyle Stanton was thrust into action after sitting the entire night on the bench. For the Scorpions, David Cacciola stood tall in net the entire night making 25 saves for his 17th victory of the season.

Deja vu struck the City Bank Coliseum early in the game on Thursday. Just like the previous Saturday, the Scorpions scored an early power play goal and Lubbock picked up one of their own later.

Konrad Reeder tipped in a Ryan McLeod pass giving the Scorpions the first period lead. A few minutes later Anders Strome tied the game up with a Cotton King power play goal.

FRI Mar. 9 SCORPIONS @ Amarillo

(4-1 loss)

6:00 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center

Amarillo saw their eight game losing streak come to an end with a 4-1 victory over the Scorpions Friday night. The Gorillas used three special teams goals in the win.

Amarillo came out of the gates fast. John Glavota scored his first goal of the season with a shot from the blue line. Scorpions' goalie Scott Reid got a piece of it with his glove but could not hold onto it.

The Scorpions came back five minutes later with a power play goal. Ryan McLeod moved the puck across the crease to Jamie Herrington who tied the game up with his 12th goal of the season.

Amarillo found success with their power play in the second period. The Gorillas came into the game without a power play goal in eight games, but used two extra-man goals to grab a two-goal lead after two periods. Matt Miller scored the first on a rebound from the end boards. Later, Josh Mizerek launched a slap shot to the back of the Scorpions' net for the two-goal lead after two periods of play.

The Gorillas added a third period goal to seal the deal. Bill Vandermeer raced down the ice and scored a shorthanded goal.

SAT Mar. 10 Wichita @ SCORPIONS

(2-1 WIN)

7:05 p.m. Santa Ana Star Center

A return to home ice is exactly what the Scorpions needed. Using a season high 55 shots, New Mexico beat Wichita 2-1 on Saturday night.

In the first period, the Scorpions threw 23 shots towards the net, but Thunder goalie Andrew Martin could not be beat. Starting the second period on a power play, New Mexico wasted no time taking the lead.

Just 11-seconds into the middle frame, Rob Guinn threw the puck towards the net, on the way it hit Wichita defenseman Daniel Tetrault's skate and into his own net.

The Scorpions continued to pour on the offensive pressure throughout the second period. At the 5:30 mark Chris Robertson came out of the penalty box, grabbed the puck and dropped a pass to Jamie Herrington. Herrington then found a streaking Ryan McLeod on his way to the net. McLeod finished the great play, giving him 22 goals on the year.

The Thunder made some noise in the third period. At the 7:42 mark, Kris Wiebe wrapped around the net and scored his 19th goal of the season. Fortunately for the 4,198 fans inside the Santa Ana Star Center , that would be the only time Scorpions goalie David Cacciola would be scored upon.

SCORPIONS PROMOTIONS

- Mar. 13-"SCORPIONS COACH'S SHOW"-Join Head Coach Ray Edwards and Broadcaster Adam Minnick at the All-Star Bar & Grill inside the Santa Ana Star Casino. The monthly show takes place from 6-7 p.m. Those not able to make it in person can hear it on 610 The Sports Animal. Fans are encouraged to call or email the show at radio@scorpionshockey.com.

- Mar. 14-"SMOKEHOUSE POST GAME PARTY"-Following the game, visit the Smokehouse on State Road 528 for a post-game party. All the Scorpions players will attend to enjoy food and drinks with Scorps Nation.

- Mar. 15-"SCORPIONS MEDIA DAY"-The New Mexico Scorpions will host a Media Day starting at 1 p.m. at Boston's the Gourmet Pizza located off of I-25 and Jefferson. Lunch will be provided for all members of the media who attend the event. Fans are also invited to attend to hear about special upcoming events.

- Mar. 16-"Puck and Hat Night"-The first 1,500 fans through the doors get a Scorpions puck and the first 500 adults will get a Scorpions hat, courtesy of New Mexico National Guard.

- Mar. 23-"SCI-FI NIGHT"-Calling all fans of Sci-Fi Adventures to the Santa Ana Star Center. Science Fiction will rule the night with appearances from the International UFO Museum in Roswell, the Dewback Ridge Squad Mountain Garrison 501st Legion and local Science Fiction Authors. There will also be a costume contest, so dress up as your favorite Sci-Fi character.

- Mar. 24-"RED OUT NIGHT"-The Scorpions are looking to paint the town red with a special Red Out T-Shirt. Fans can buy a Red Out T-Shirt for only $15 and get a free ticket to the game against Rocky Mountain.

- THIS WEEK'S BROADCAST SCHEDULE-Wednesday and Friday's games can be heard on 610 The Sports Animal. On Saturday and Sunday the Scorpions games will be broadcast 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/. Don't forget that CHLTV is the perfect place to watch Scorpions games online. Visit www.livesportsnetwork.com/chltv for more details.

- Fans inside the Santa Ana Star Center can now hear the games live on 89.5 FM.

SCORPIONS IN THE COMMUNITY

- Keep your eyes open, as the Scorpions will be around town visiting with many different people during March. Check out http://www.scorpionshockey.com/schedule/communitypromos/ for further information.

TEAM NOTES

- New Mexico is ranked ninth in the latest CHL Coach's Poll.

- The Scorpions magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 3 points.

- The Scorpions are looking for their first playoff birth since 2003.

STANDOUTS

- DAVID CACCIOLA is third among goalies with a 2.49 goals against average.

- RYAN McLEOD is tops among CHL rookies with 58 points.

- MIKE FALK leads all rookies with 24 goals.

- AARON MacINNIS leads all defensemen with five game winning goals.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2007


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