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Scorpions move near top of standings

December 27, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


THIS WEEK:

WED Dec. 27 Colorado @ SCORPIONS 7:35 p.m. Santa Ana Star Center

*GET OUT OF THE HOUSE NIGHT*

Get out of your house after the holidays and enjoy a battle against two of the league's best teams. The Colorado Eagles and Scorpions will meet Wednesday night in New Mexico in a battle of first place teams. The Scorpions have collected a point in 10 straight games, while Colorado has a point in their last eight games.

Season Series: Colorado leads 2-0-0 All Time Series: Colorado leads

FRI Dec. 29 Arizona @ SCORPIONS 7:35 p.m. Santa Ana Star Center

* STANLEY CUP AT THE GAME*

SAT Dec. 30 SCORPIONS @Arizona 7:35 p.m. Tim's Toyota Center

SUN Dec. 31 SCORPIONS @Arizona 8:05 p.m. Tim's Toyota Center

Come see the Stanley Cup, awarded to the NHL champion, at the Scorpions game versus Arizona Friday night. The league's newest and hottest rivalry continues, as the Scorpions will host Arizona before heading back to Prescott Valley for two more games.

The Scorpions and Sundogs have met five times already in December and the Scorpions have won four of the five meetings. Each team will look to defend their home ice, something that has only been done once in the season series

Season Series: Scorpions lead 4-1-1 All Time Series: Scorpions lead 4-1-1

LAST WEEK:

Fri. Dec. 22 Lubbock @ SCORPIONS (6-2 WIN) 7:35 p.m. Santa Ana Star Center

Lubbock on home ice Friday night. The win gave the Scorpions points in nine straight games.

It was teddy bear toss night at the Santa Ana Star Center and Mike Falk let the stuffed animals rain down from the stands with his tenth goal of the season 14:17 into the opening frame. The Scorpions lead grew to two when Aaron MacInnis rifled a power play goal to the back of the net.

Lubbock fought back cutting the lead down to one with a bouncing puck goal. Paul McBrien got credit for his first goal of the season as the puck ricocheted off his body and into the net.

The fans were treated to the most exciting play in hockey with 2:08 to go in the first period. Craig Macdonald was awarded a penalty shot, but could not convert. It was the first penalty shot of the year attempted by New Mexico .

The Scorpions kept the momentum as Lance Herauf wrapped a goal into the net with just 17-seconds remaining in the opening frame. Newcomer Ryan VandenBussche was credited with the assist.

The Cotton Kings used an early second period power play to cut the lead back down to one when Mike Carter lit the lamp for the second time this year. For the second time in the game, the Scorpions grabbed back momentum quickly, scoring 43-seconds later.

MacInnis found Falk in the neutral zone and started a three-on-one fast break. Falk looked to pass the puck across, but Lubbock 's Jason Beatty's leg got in the way. Fortunately, for the Scorpions the puck deflected off Beatty's leg and into the Cotton Kings' net.

New Mexico extended their lead again as Ryan McLeod won the draw to Lance Herauf. Herauf's shot was initially saved but McLeod was there to put the rebound home, giving the Scorpions a 5-2 lead heading into the second intermission.

The third period was dominated by physical play. Both teams flexed their muscles as the gloves were dropped five different times. The lone offense came off the stick of Matt Frick with under 10-seconds remaining. Jamie Herrington, in his first Scorpions game, won the draw back to Frick who beat goalie J.F. Perras for his first goal of the season.

David Cacciola continued his stellar play in net since being traded to New Mexico . The Scorpions net minder made 25 saves, earning his sixth victory in six games in a Scorpions' jersey.

SAT Dec. 23 SCORPIONS @ Arizona (4-1 WIN) 7:30 pm Tim's Toyota Center

The New Mexico Scorpions scorched the Arizona Sundogs 4-1 Saturday night. The win coupled with a Lubbock loss, moved the Scorpions into first place in the Southwest Division.

The game started out at a feverish pace with very few whistles and lots of action. Each team used its speed moving the puck all over the ice. The Scorpions got on the board first when Jamie Herrington notched his first goal as a member of New Mexico 14:15 into the contest.

After things finished with physical play in the first period, the Scorpions extended their lead in the second frame. Vladimir Hartinger scored his fourth goal of the year when Peter Kennedy dropped a pass to the veteran defenseman and Hartinger ripped the shit past goalie Kris Mayotte's glove.

Things got close in the third period when Chris Bartolone's shot hit Chris Robertson's leg and fluttered over goalie Scott Reid's head and into the net. The Scorpions wasted no time grabbing back the momentum.

Only 36-seconds later, Ryan McLeod checked his man off the puck and passed it to Lance Herauf. Herauf worked to the net and put the puck past Mayotte 's legs, giving the Scorpions their two goal lead back. Chris Robertson added a late empty net goal for the three-goal victory.

SCORPIONS PROMOTIONS:

- DECEMBER INTERNET HOLIDAY TICKET SPECIAL-Go "ALL IN" and get your Corner Seat for only $16 when ordering online during the month of December. That is a savings of $6.

- Wed. Dec. 27-"GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE NIGHT"-The Scorpions wants you to get out of the house Wednesday. Grab the family, neighbors, heck people you don't even know and get to the Scorpions game for a night of fun and exciting hockey. Ticket packages will include a ticket, hot dog and soda for only $19.

- Fri., Dec. 29-"STANLEY CUP NIGHT"-The world's most revered trophy, the Stanley Cup will be inside the Santa Ana Star Center . Come take pictures with the NHL's championship award. This once in a lifetime opportunity is something any sports fan would not want to miss.

- Fri. Jan. 5-"BEAUTY AND ELVIS NIGHT"-The Scorpions will celebrate Elvis' Birthday at the Santa Ana Star Center . Elvis will be in the building and performing live for your enjoyment. Joining Elvis will be the most beautiful women in New Mexico . Miss News , Mrs. New , Miss Rio Rancho and Miss Albuquerque will be in attendance greeting the fans.

- Sat. Jan. 6-"SALUTE TO THE MILITARY NIGHT, presented by the U.S. ARMY"-Come out and help the Scorpions salute our military. The annual event will feature videos, photos and special tributes to the soldiers who are currently serving our great country, those who have fallen in battle and those who are now retired from active duty. The Scorpions will wear special "Stars and Stripes" jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. The post-game auction will benefit families of soldiers who are currently stationed overseas through the New Mexico Scorpions Charitable Foundation.

- WEEKEND BROADCAST SCHEDULE-This week games can be heard on 610 The Sports Animal on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Sunday fans can tune into 1050 KTBL for all the live play-by-play. 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.

SCORPIONS IN THE COMMUNITY:

Keep your eyes open as the Scorpions will be around town visiting with many different people during the final week of 2006. Check out http://www.scorpionshockey.com/schedule/communitypromos/ for further information.

TEAM NOTES:

The Scorpions have collected a point in 10 straight games, a CHL season high.

This is the first time the Scorpions are in first place since Nov. 19, 2004.

New Mexico has collected 18 points on home ice, fourth most in the league.

The Scorpions average 3.5 goals per game, fifth best in the CHL.

STANDOUTS:

MIKE FALK has registered 10 assists in his last seven games.

CHRIS ROBERTSON has picked up at least a point in the last eight games.

ROBB GUINN is fourth in the CHL with 22 assists.

LANCE HERAUF leads al rookies with 28 points.

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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.

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