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Scorpions Sting Bees On Military Night

December 15, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


[RIO RANCHO, N.M.]-The Scorpions came out with a franchise record seven goals in the first period and never looked back en route to a 10-3 victory over Rio Grande Valley on Military Appreciation Night. Konrad Reeder led the way with a franchise record six assists and Craig Macdonald picked up his first career hat trick.

An early power play goal by Macdonald got the Scorpions off and running at the 3:21 mark. Andrew Smale put the Scorps up 2-0 only 80 seconds later with a nifty move in front of the net. Exactly one minute after the Smale goal, Vladimir Hartinger made it a 3-0 lead for the home team only 5:40 into the game. The three goals on only seven shots forced the Killer Bees to pull starting goaltender Jeff Van Nynatten in favor of David Lemanowicz.

Things slowed down at first but then the Scorps rudely welcomed the new goaltender in net. At the 12:29 mark, Macdonald found himself alone in front of the net and lifted a back hand up and over the Rio Grande Valley net minder. After watching his teammate get his second goal, Smale grabbed his second goal of the game at the 13:31 mark of the opening frame.

Back to the power play went the Scorpions and the puck found the net again. Michael Kolarz launched a shot from the blue line that lit the lamp at the 16:42 mark. New Mexico finished their seven-goal first period when Macdonald finished his hat trick with 29 seconds left in the opening stanza.

The Killer Bees came out on the power play in the second period and got on the board. Dennis Maxwell scored at the 2:47 mark giving his team some life. Travis Banga gave Rio Grande Valley their second power play goal at the 5:03 mark. The Bees crept closer when Josh Bonar lit the lamp at the 18:15 mark of the middle period. Fortunately for Scorpions fans it would be the last time the Bees would score.

After being shut out in the second period, the Scorpions offense returned with three goals in the third period. Hartinger scored his second goal of the night, this time on a two-man advantage. Just 37 seconds later, Dominic Osman tipped in an Andrew Smale shot giving the Scorpions their ninth goal of the night. New Mexico finished the barrage of goals when Tim Vitek delivered a perfect pass to Ross McCain who tipped it up and over Lemanowicz and into the net at 17:45 of the third period.

In addition to the individual accolades on the evening the Scorpions set some team high marks as well. It was the first time since 1999-2000 the Scorpions scored at least 10 goals twice in a season. The Scorpions five power play goals also set a single game franchise record. The oddest part of the night may be the fact that all of game's 13 goals were scored on the East end of the Santa Ana Star Center.

The Scorpions finish their home stand with the annual School Day Field Trip game Tuesday morning. The puck drops against Corpus Christi at 10:30 a.m. The game can be heard on 1050 KTBL or seen for free on the CHL Network.

Call the Scorpions' office at (505) 881-PUCK (7825) or visit http://www.scorpionshockey.com to find out how you can be a part of Real Hockey, Rio Entertainment. You don't want to miss your chance to watch the Scorpions drive toward the Ray Miron President's Cup.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2007


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