Scorpions fall again to Amarillo

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The game will be aired on 1050-AM KTBL.

David Nimmo had three goals and three assists and Bill Vandermeer added two goals and three assists to take care of most of Amarillo’s scoring. The Gorillas broke a scoreless tie with three goals n a 3:13 span in the first period and New Mexico was never within three again.  

Konrad Reeder scored both New Mexico goals, his first coming 6:56 into the second period to narrow the margin to 4-1. But it took Amarillo less than two minutes to respond, with Nimmo scoring on a power play to rebuild the cushion to four goals. Reeder’s second goal brought the Scorpions within 5-2 with 8:36 left in the period, but New Mexico was blanked the rest of the way by Amarillo goalie Dan McWhinney.

McWhinney, who saved 57 of 59 shots against him in a 3-1 loss at New Mexico on Wednesday, had a much easier night on Saturday, stopping 29 of 31 shots. The Scorpions Mike Minard, meanwhile, went 35-of-42.

Austin Sutter and Nimmo added third-period goals, with Vandermeer getting assists on both.

Amarillo finished 4-for-9 on the power play, while the Scorpions were blanked in nne attempts.

The rugged game included a combined 37 penalties, including 19 for 55 minutes by the Scorpions. Amarillo was whistled 18 times for 45 minutes.

The two teams had two fights in the final period, with Aaron MacInnis and Kevin Harvey drawing penalties for interference and Vandermeer and Grant Selinger being sent to the box for Amarillo. MacInnis drew 17 minutes alone for two fighting instigator/misconduct penalties and a fighting major.

Vandermeer and Harvey resumed the battle with two seconds left in the game, with both being sent to the showers with slashing and fighting major penalties to the delight of 4,912 fans.

New Mexico has struggled against the last-place Gorillas, going 5-4-1 this season and just 1-4 in the last five meetings. The teams will play three more times, including a home-and-home series to end the year.
 
The loss was New Mexico’s fifth straight on the road.

Fans can “Skate with the Scorps” after today’s game, with free skate rentals provided courtesy of Blades Multiplex Arena. The team is continuing its  “all you can eat weekend special,” with a corner seat ticket and unlimited hot dogs, sodas, nachos and popcorn for $20,

For ticket information, go to www.ScorpionsHockey.com or call 881-PUCK. Complete statistics and standings are available at www.CentralHockeyLeague.com.