Scorpions open tenth season with loss

October 24, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


RECORD TO DATE: 0-1-0 (0 points) 5th place in Southwest Division

THIS WEEK:

FRI Oct. 27 Arizona @ SCORPIONS 7:35 p.m. Santa Ana Star Center

History will be made in Rio Rancho on Friday night. The Scorpions will open the brand new Santa Ana Star Center. The team has been looking forward to this night for 19 months and finally the time has come. Along with a new building, the Scorpions will also start a new rivalry. The Arizona Sundogs make their inaugural trip to New Mexico. It will be the first of 14 meetings between the division rivals this season.

Season Series: First Meeting

All Time Series: First Meeting

SAT Oct. 28 SCORPIONS @ Colorado 7:05 p.m. Budweiser Events Center

After the home opener, the Scorpions will get on a bus and head north for a Saturday date with the Eagles. The Budweiser Events Center is guaranteed to be sold out and the Scorpions will have to fight hard to earn the road victory.

Season Series: First Meeting

All Time Series: Scorpions are 6-14-1

LAST WEEK:

SAT Oct. 21 SCORPIONS @ Amarillo (5-2 loss) 6:00 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center

The New Mexico Scorpions ended the hockey drought in New Mexico to the delight of many fans. Unfortunately, New Mexico came out on the short end dropping a 5-2 decision to Amarillo.

Special teams were the key for the Gorillas on the night. All five of the Amarillo goals were scored on the power play or shorthanded. Rich Hansen notched the first goal of the game late in the first period, shorthanded.

The Scorpions tied it up when Ryan McLeod notched his first professional goal 8:08 into the second period. The Scorpions continued to plug away but could not find the net again in the second period, due in large part to goalie Jamie Vandespyker's efforts.

The third period was a special teams bonanza for the Gorillas. They sealed the deal with four, third period goals, one shorthanded and three on the power play. Two early power play goals opened up a two-goal lead for Amarillo.

The Scorpions showed life and found a power play goal at 15:31. Vladimir Hartinger launched a shot from the blue line that Vandespyker saved, but Craig MacDonald was there for the rebound inching the Scorpions closer.

Just over a minute later, the Gorillas would reclaim their two-goal lead on Bill Vandermeer's shorthanded goal. Chris Lipsett would tack on an insurance goal to give the Gorillas their three-goal margin of victory.

SCORPIONS TIDBITS:

- Tue. Oct. 24-"COACH'S SHOW"-Join Head Coach Ray Edwards, Assistant Coach Randy Murphy and Broadcaster Adam Minnick from 5-6pm for the Coach's Show. The guys will be on location at the All-Star

- Fri. Oct. 27-"OPENING NIGHT FIESTA"-Get to the Santa Ana Star Center early on Friday night. Starting at 5 PM, fans can enjoy festivities outside including, rock climbing wall, live music by Rodney Bowe and Sweetlife, face painting, clowns, inflatable's for the kids and so much more.

- Fri. Oct. 27-"THUNDERSTIX"-Everyone through the doors on opening night will get a pair of Thunderstix courtesy of Santa Ana Star Casino.

- Fri. Oct. 27-"COMMEMORATIVE PUCK"-The first 1,000 fans through the gates will get a coupon they can redeem for a commemorative opening night puck, courtesy of Santa Ana Star Casino.

- Wed. Nov. 1-"RIO RANCHO CHAMBER NIGHT"-All Rio Rancho Chamber of Commerce members are invited to a special event at the Santa Ana Star Center. For only $15, chamber members can enjoy a pre-game mixer full of food and beverages AND a ticket to the night's Scorpions game against Youngstown.

- Fri. Nov. 3-"WWE NIGHT"-Fans who come to the Scorpions game will get to meet WWE Superstar Mick Foley, A.K.A. "Mankind." He will be on hand throughout the game to sign autographs and take pictures courtesy of American Toyota and Karl Malone Toyota.

- Fri. Nov. 3-"MAGNET SCHEDULE"-American Toyota and Karl Malone Toyota will provide Scorpions magnet schedules to the first 2,500 fans attending the game.

- Sat. Nov. 11-"STANLEY'S BIRTHDAY"-Come out and watch Stanley enjoy his fifth birthday with his friends. His favorite pals will be on hand to celebrate this special day in Stanley's life.

- WEEKEND BROADCAST SCHEDULE-Friday and Saturday night's games can be heard on 610 The Sports Animal. For Scorpions fans outside the listening area, you can hear all Scorpions games online by visiting www.scorpionshockey.com. The link is on the homepage.

TEAM NOTES:

Saturday night in Amarillo was the first time in 581 days the Scorpions played hockey. Friday night will be the first ever-professional hockey game in Rio Rancho. The last time the Scorpions played in New Mexico was March 8, 2005.

STANDOUTS:

RYAN McLEOD scored his first professional goal Saturday night in Amarillo.

CRAIG MACDONALD has a goal and an assist in his Scorpions debut Saturday night.

SCORPIONS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

RYAN McLEOD-McLeod got his first full season of professional hockey off to a good start. McLeod scored the Scorpions first goal of the night at 18:08 of the second period. Last year the Fernie, B.C. native appeared in 13 games for the Victoria Salmon Kings, and registered two assists.



Central Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2006


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