Scorpions sit above .500 at midway point

Published on January 15, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


LAST WEEK:

WED Jan. 10

SCORPIONS @ Wichita

(3-1 loss)

6:05 p.m. Kansas Coliseum

The Scorpions dropped a hard fought battle to Wichita 3-1 on Wednesday night. The Thunder scored two third period goals to break the tie and pick up their tenth home win of the season.

After each team scored goals late in the first two periods, it was Wichita scoring early in the third period. After a Scorpions power play expired, Steve Dix came out of the box and delivered a perfect pass to Joe Blaznek. Blaznek broke away and put the puck to the back of the net for the game winner.

Minimal whistles and a referee letting the players play set up a quick first period. The teams combined for 18 shots and hard-hitting action for the fans inside the Kansas Coliseum.

The Thunder struck first when Kris Wiebe scored a power play goal with 3.7 seconds remaining in the opening frame. Jason Duda, who picked up CHL career assist 741, set up the play perfectly behind the net.

The low penalty minutes, late goal theme showed up again in the second period. The Scorpions were called for the lone penalty but stoned the Wichita power play.

The Scorpions offense rose to the occasion in the final minute. Aaron MacInnis patiently worked the puck through the neutral zone and found Mike Falk at the blue line. Falk carried the puck into the zone and dropped the pass to Chris Robertson. With 16.7 seconds on the clock, Robertson celebrated his 23rd birthday with the game-tying goal.

Duda added an empty net goal giving the Thunder the two-goal win. Both goalies played well in net with Thunder net minder Sebastien Laplante stopping 36 shots for the victory and David Cacciola pushing away 26 shots for the Scorpions.

FRI Jan. 12

SCORPIONS @ Rocky Mountain

(6-3 WIN) 7:05 p.m.

Broomfield Event Center

The Scorpions fell behind early but battled back for a 6-3 road win. The victory gave the Scorpions their first road win outside the state of Arizona.

The Rage took advantage of power play opportunities in the first period. Five minutes into the game, they had a two-man advantage and wasted no time converting.

Chip Dunleavy deflected a Matic Kralj wrist shot from the blue line and into the net giving his team the early lead. Less than two minutes later, Rocky Mountain converted on the back end of the power play when Dunleavy redirected a John DiPace shot into the net for his second goal of the game.

The Scorpions quieted the crowd with great puck movement on their man advantage. Vladimir Hartinger moved the puck to Ryan McLeod who found Jamie Herrington quickly on the other side. Herrington had no trouble scoring as Rage goalie David Guerrera never recovered in time to make the save.

New Mexico came out in the second period and took control of the game. Herrington added his second goal just 1:19 into the second period. Mike Prpich later won a draw in the offensive zone right to Craig Macdonald who scored and gave the Scorpions their first lead of the game.

The Rage would fight back half way through the game with Kralj's fifth goal of the season. The Scorpions wasted no time in grabbing the lead back, this time for good.

Aaron MacInnis lit the lamp with his patented slap shot from inside the blue line. The goal ended up being the game winner, giving MacInnis four game-winning goals this season.

The third period was all New Mexico as they sealed the deal. Lance Herauf scored early and Chris Robertson finished the scoring late giving the Scorpions a much needed road victory.

FRI Jan. 13

SCORPIONS @ Rocky Mountain

(3-1 WIN) 7:05 pm

Broomfield Event Center

The Scorpions grabbed their second straight road win with a 3-1 victory against the Rage. The win moved the Scorpions one game over .500 at the halfway point of the season.

Things looked eerily similar to last night when the Rage scored early on the power play. Trevor Weisgerber picked up his 11th goal of the season at 6:17 of the first period.

Unlike last night, the Scorpions did not let the deficit grow. Aaron MacInnis, who scored the game winning goal Friday night, tied the game up late in the first period. MacInnis was given space at the blue line and made the most of it by firing the puck into the net tying the game.

The Scorpions and Rage battled hard throughout the second period. With the Rage playing four skaters short due to injury, the Scorpions attempted to wear out the home team.

Vladimir Hartinger known for his hard shot carried the puck into the zone and gave a perfect backhand pass to Mike Falk in the high slot. Falk took his time and slid the puck along the ice and past Rage goalie Trevor Cunning giving the Scorpions their first lead of the game.

Things remained the same until nine seconds remained in the game. Chris Robertson won a draw forward and Craig Macdonald raced to the puck and put it in the empty net to ice the Scorpions victory.

THIS WEEK:

WED Jan. 17

2007 DODGE CHL ALL-STAR GAME

6:05 p.m. CenturyTel Center

The stars of the CHL will be on hand for the annual All-Star Game. Veteran captain Rob Guinn and rookie sensation Lance Herauf will represent the Scorpions. The Scorpions will join the rest of their Southern Conference brethren as they attempt to defeat the top players from the Northern Conference. LISTEN HERE!

FRI Jan. 19

SCORPIONS @ Amarillo

6:00 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center

The Scorpions will start the second half of their season long six-game road trip Friday in Amarillo . The Scorpions return to West Texas for the first time since opening night in October. Only two points in the Southwest Division standings separate the two teams. Fans always look forward to this rivalry as the teams have met 92 times, longest standing rivalry in Scorpions history.

Season Series: Tied 1-1-0

All Time Series:

Scorpions lead 55-32-5

SAT Jan. 20

SCORPIONS @ Colorado

7:05 p.m. Budweiser Events Center

New Mexico will head to Colorado with the hope of ending a seven game losing streak against the Eagles. The Scorpions last win against the Eagles came on March 4, 2005 in Tingley Coliseum.

Season Series:

Colorado leads 4-0-0

All Time Series:

Scorpions trail 6-17-1

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.

- Tue. Jan. 16-"COACH'S SHOW"-Join Head Coach Ray Edwards, Assistant Coach Randy Murphy and Broadcaster Adam Minnick at the All Star Bar and Grill inside the Santa Ana Star Casino from 6-7 p.m. They will talk about the month that was and what lies ahead for your Scorpions. The show will also be broadcast live on 610 The Sports Animal. Fans are invited to ask question in person, on the phone or over email.

- 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-Friday and Saturday tune into 610 The Sports Animal for all the live Scorpions game action. 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.

- "COACH'S SHOW"-Join Head Coach Ray Edwards, Assistant Coach Randy Murphy and Broadcaster Adam Minnick at the All Star Bar and Grill inside the Santa Ana Star Casino on Tuesday, January 16 from 6-7 p.m. They will talk about the month that was and what lies ahead for your Scorpions. The show will also be broadcast live on 610 The Sports Animal. Fans are invited to ask question in person, on the phone or over email.

- "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 six of their last eight road games.

Lance Herauf and Rob Guinn will represent the Scorpions at the 2007 Dodge CHL All-Star Game on January 17, hosted by the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

The Scorpions are half way through their season long six-game 18-day road trip.

New Mexico has played exactly half of their 64 regular season games.

STANDOUTS

MIKE FALK is second in the league with 11 power play goals.

ROB GUINN is fifth in the league with 27 assists.

LANCE HERAUF and RYAN MCLEOD are second among CHL rookies with 32 points.

AARON MACINNIS is tops among defense with a 13.6% shooting percentage.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 15, 2007


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