Scorpions return to home ice this week

January 23, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


LAST WEEK:

FRI. Jan. 19

SCORPIONS @ Amarillo

(7-3 WIN)

6:05 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center

The Scorpions used their biggest offensive output of the year to beat division rival Amarillo 7-3 Friday night. The win moved the Scorpions to 3-1 on their current six-game road trip.

It took the Scorpions 8:32 to register their first shot on net but it was a good one. Peter Kennedy delivered a perfect pass to Craig Macdonald. Macdonald had clear ice in front of him and gave the Scorpions a 1-0 lead.

The Gorillas used an offensive push late in the period to tie the game. Amarillo 's Matt Miller grabbed a rebound goal late in the period to tie the game up.

The Scorpions took control in the second period behind two power play goals. Chris Robertson reclaimed the lead with a power play goal at the 1:29 mark.

The Gorillas wouldn't go away quietly. Bill Vandermeer ripped a power play shot past goalie David Cacciola to knot the game at two.

Halfway through the middle frame the Scorpions went back to the power play and used all but one second of it. Lance Herauf used great vision across the ice to find an open Mike Falk. Falk made it count scoring his first of three points on the night. It was Falk's 12th goal on the power play this season, most in the Central Hockey League.

Four minutes later the Scorpions extended their lead with great puck work. Lance Herauf used his great vision again, this time from behind the net to feed Robertson who scored his second goal of the night, giving the Scorpions a two-goal cushion after two periods.

The third period mirrored the second period. The Scorpions scored a goal to extend their lead, Amarillo came back with a single goal, and the Scorpions scored two more unanswered goals.

Falk picked up his second goal of the night 4:56 into the third period. Only 35-seconds later, the Gorillas came back with an Austin Sutter goal. The teams traded shifts in the middle of the period but both goalies held strong.

New Mexico added to their lead again late in the game as Mike Prpich got into the scoring mix at the 15:43 mark with his 11th goal this season. Ryan McLeod finished the scoring with a wraparound goal to give the Scorpions their highest offensive output this season.

SAT Jan. 20

SCORPIONS @ Colorado

(5-3 loss)

7:05 p.m. Budweiser Events Center

The Eagles continued their strong play at home with a 5-3 come from behind victory over the Scorpions. After only combining for one goal in the first two periods, the offenses exploded for six goals in the final frame.

The Scorpions came out early in the third period and took a two-goal lead. Mike Prpich gave the Scorps their first lead of the game with a slap shot at the 6:32 mark. Only 40-seconds later, Mike Falk pushed the lead up to two and momentarily silenced the home crowd.

The Eagles woke up in their nest and came back with four goals in 1:52. Ed McGrane started the scoring binge with a rebound goal. Riley Nelson tied the game up 50-seconds later giving the Eagles a shift in momentum.

The lead was taken back for good at the 11:34 mark when Scott Polaski worked the puck through goalie Scott Reid. Brad Williamson added the insurance goal at the 11:56 mark to cap the four-goal barrage.

The first period was quite calm compared to what happened in the final frame. After a slew of penalties, Colorado ended up with a four-on-three power play. Craig Hartsburg's shot was saved by goalie Scott Reid, but Riley Nelson was able to bang home the rebound for an early lead.

The Scorpions showed they were not fazed with being down a goal on the road. Mike Falk delivered a beautiful pass to a streaking Craig Macdonald. Just like last night, Macdonald had clear ice in front of him, used his backhand and scored his 12th goal of the season, tying the score at one.

@Arizona Sundogs

01/23/2007 7:00 PM

The rivalry returns to Prescott Valley for a rare Tuesday game. The Scorpions and Sundogs come into the game tied for third place in the division. The teams have given the fans their money's worth this year. Oddly enough, the visiting team has gotten the best of the series winning seven of the 10 contests.

Season Series: Scorpions lead 5-4-1

All Time Series: Scorpions lead 5-4-1

Amarillo Gorillas

01/25/2007 10:30 AM

After six games and 18 days on the road, the Scorpions will return to their home rink. The annual "Kids Day Game" highlights the return back to the Santa Ana Star Center . Over 5,000 students and teachers from the area will be on hand to watch the Scorpions face their long time rival the Amarillo Gorillas.

Season Series: Scorpions lead 2-1-0

All Time Series: Scorpions lead 56-32-5

Rocky Mountain Rage

01/26/2007 7:35 PM

The Rage makes their second trip to New Mexico this season. The Scorpions caught Rocky Mountain last time they played at a good time. The Rage was shorthanded due to injury and the Scorpions took advantage with back-to-back wins in Broomfield .

Season Series: Scorpions lead 3-0-1

All Time Series: Scorpions lead 3-0-1

@Odessa Jackalopes

01/27/2007 6:00 PM

For only the second time this season rivals will meet. It will be the Scorpions first trip to Odessa since March 18, 2005. The only time these two teams met this season was November 22 at the Santa Ana Star Center where the Scorpions beat the Jackalopes 3-2 in overtime.

Season Series: Scorpions lead 1-0-0

All Time Series: Scorpions lead 37-24-3

SCORPIONS PROMOTIONS

- RANDY MURPHY 10TH ANNIVERSARY JERSEY-Get your hands an autographed Randy Murphy retro Scorpions jersey. The online auction runs until January 25 at 5 p.m. CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BID.

- Thur. Jan. 25-"SCHOOL DAY GAME"-The annual "School Day Game" is upon us here in New Mexico . Students from around the region will be treated to an exciting Scorpions hockey game against Amarillo . Workbooks will be delivered to the local schools attending the game as not only will the students enjoy a day with hockey but also learn about math, geography and much more. Any local business or individual that would like to purchase tickets to donate to local schoolchildren should contact the Scorpions office for more details.

- Fri. Jan. 26-"POTATO HEAD GIVEAWAY, courtesy of BANK OF ALBUQUERQUE"-Have you ever wanted to have a New Mexico Scorpions Mr. Potato Head? If the answer is yes, get your tickets and get to the Santa Ana Star Center early for the game versus Rocky Mountain . The Bank of Albuquerque has made it possible for 1,500 fans inside the Santa Ana Star Center to get their one of a kind, New Mexico Scorpions/Bank of Albuquerque Mr. Potato Head.

- Fri. Feb. 9-"UNM NIGHT"-The Scorpions will welcome all Lobo fans to the Santa Ana Star Center . Athletes and coaches from various Lobo teams will be on hand as special guests of the Scorpions. The Scorpions will wear special UNM jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game.

- WEEKEND BROADCAST SCHEDULE-Tuesday's and Friday's games can be heard on 610 The Sports Animal while Thursday morning and Saturday night will be live on 1050 KTBL. Adam Minnick will have the Scorpions Pre-game show starting 15-minutes before face-off. 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 January. Check out http://www.scorpionshockey.com/schedule/communitypromos/ for further information.

- The Scorpions raised over $20,000 in their "Military Appreciation Night" jersey auction. All net proceeds from the event will be given to families with soldiers currently stationed overseas.

- "Go For Blood" Drive on January 26 from 12-4 p.m. at American Toyota (I-25 & Alameda). Each donor will receive a buy-one-get-one-free ticket to a future Scorpions game. There will also be a drawing for a team-autographed hockey stick.

- Meet The Scorpions at Chick-Fil-A on Tuesday, January 30 beginning at 5:15 p.m. Players and Stanley will visit the Chick-Fil-A near Coors Bypass and Ellison to eat dinner and sign autographs with fans coming to Chick-Fil-A for dinner.

TEAM NOTES

- New Mexico has won eight of their last 10 road games.

- The Scorpions are 10-5-1 versus the Southwest Division.

- With 45 goals scored in the third period, the Scorpions lead the CHL

STANDOUTS

- MIKE FALK and CHRIS ROBERTSON have collected a point in seven straight games.

- MIKE FALK leads the league with 12 power play goals.

- CRAIG MACDONALD is third in the league with a shooting percentage of 22.6%.

- LANCE HERAUF leads all rookies with 26 assists.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2007


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