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Scorpions Stomp Rayz And Clinch Playoff Birth

March 14, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL) - New Mexico Scorpions News Release

[ RIO RANCHO, N.M.]-Behind a shorthanded goal and two power play goals, the Scorpions beat Corpus Christi 5-2. With the victory the Scorpions have now clinched a playoff birth.

Five current members of the Scorpions organization were members of Corpus Christi last year. In the perfect story one of those players would make a difference early; that's exactly what happened.

With the Scorpions a man down, Chris Robertson stole a pass at center ice. With the puck bouncing, the crafty forward settled the puck, raced towards the net alone and elevated the puck into the net over goalie Ron Vogel. Robertson's goal gave him 50 in his three-year pro career. The Scorpions would take the 1-0 into the locker room.

The second period saw five goals by the two teams in less than five minutes. Corpus Christi tied the game up at the 5:40 mark with a Todd Paul wrist shot.

The Scorpions reclaimed the lead just 30-second later when an unlikely hero came to the forefront. Kevin Harvey, known more for his grit than his finesse took a back door pass from Ryan McLeod and put it into the net for his third goal this season.

Using the momentum the Scorpions grabbed their first two-goal lead of the contest 90-seconds later. Jeremy Garrison tipped in an Aaron MacInnis pass to get his first goal of the season. It was also Garrison's first North American professional goal. He has spent the previous four seasons in Europe.

The Rayz cut the lead back down to one when Derrick McIver registered a power play goal at the 9:13 mark. A minute later the Scorpions went to the power play and Craig Macdonald stuffed home his 24th goal of the year pushing the Scorpions lead back to two.

The third period was like the first period with only one Scorpions goal put on the board. Konrad Reeder picked up a power play goal giving the Scorpions their three-goal margin of victory.

The Scorpions return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2002-03 season. With a playoff birth in tow, the Scorpions now have their sights set on a Southwest Division crown.

New Mexico will be home on Friday night when the Odessa Jackalopes come to town. The first 1,500 people inside the Santa Ana Star Center will get a free puck courtesy of the New Mexico National Guard. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m.

The Scorpions are holding their first "Red Out Night" on Saturday, March 24. Buy your Red Out T-shirt for only $15 and get a free ticket to see the Scorpions take on the Rocky Mountain Rage at 7:05 p.m. Be a part of the most exciting professional sports team in New Mexico and show fans throughout state you bleed red. Visit www.scorpionshockey.com for more details or call (505) 881-PUCK [7825].

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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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