Scorpions look to close gap in division race

By Eric Maddy
The SCORE

The New Mexico Scorpions can't regain first place in the Southwest Division of the Central Hockey League with a victory tonight against Arizona.

But any hopes the Scorpions have of getting there before the end of the season probably requires a win over the visiting Sundogs in the 7:15 p.m. contest at the Santa Ana Star Center.

After taking two of three games at Arizona last week, New Mexico had 61 points, just two points behind the Sundogs and division co-leader Odessa. But while the Scorpions rested at home, Arizona pulled out a hard-fought 6-5 win at last place Amarillo on Thursday to regain sole possession of the lead.

The good news for New Mexico is that Odessa failed to capitalize on its chance to gain points earlier this week, losing at home to Rio Grande Valley 4-2 on Tuesday. The Jackalopes play at home against defending league champion Colorado tonight, and the Rage will be looking to move into a first-place tie in their division with Rocky Mountain with a win at Odessa.

With 3½ weeks left in the season, all three Southwest Division contenders have 12 games left. The bad news for the Scorpions is that seven of those games are on the road, while Arizona plays six road games and Odessa only five.

Tonight marks the start of a three-game home stand with games Saturday against Colorado and Tuesday against Odessa. After that, New Mexico has only two home dates left, against Arizona on March 18 and Amarillo to close the season on March 22.

While all three contenders are solidly in the playoffs at the moment, getting as high up in the standings is important when it comes to post-season seeding, especially for New Mexico. At fourth in the conference standings behind Laredo with 75 points and its two division opponents, New Mexico would be at a home-ice disadvantage in each playoff series. The Scorpions have a losing record (10-13-2) on the road this year compared to Laredo (16-10-2), Arizona (13-9-4) and Odessa (11-11-5).

New Mexico has a comfortable 16-point lead over Austin for fourth place, with Amarillo 17 points behind.

NET NOTES: Scorpions captain Vladimir Hartinger was named the CHL Player of the Week for his performance in Arizona, where he scored five goals and had five assists, including his first career hat trick on Wednesday night in a 6-4 victory. The Czech Republic native, who now resides in Albuquerque, currently leads all league defenseman with 50 points on 17 goals and 33 assists. His 134 career points in five seasons with the Scorpions is the most by a New Mexico defenseman.

Tonight’s game is “College Night,” where the Scorpions will wear special University of New Mexico Lobo jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. On Saturday night the first 1,500 fans through the gates will get a “rally towel” courtesy of Embry Riddle. The doors open at 6 p.m. both nights.

Both games are part of the continuing “All You Can Eat Weekend Special” where fans can get a corner seat and all the hot dogs, sodas, nachos and popcorn they want for $20. For ticket information, call 881-PUCK or visit www.scorpionshockey.com.

Complete league statistics and standings are available at www.CentralHockeyLeague.com

The Southwest Division Race

Here is the remaining schedule for the three contending teams in the Southwest Division race:

1. Arizona, 65 points (12 games, 6 at home) 2/29 at New Mexico; 3/3 at Colorado; 3/4 at Rocky Mountain; 3/6 at Odessa; 3/8 at Amarillo; 3/11 New Mexico’ 3/14 Amarillo; 3/15 Amarillo; 3/18 at New Mexico; 3/19 Rocky Mountain; 3/21 Odessa; 3/22 Odessa

2. Odessa, 63 points (12 games, 7 at home) 2/29 Colorado; 3/1 Amarillo; 3/4 at New Mexico; 3/6 Arizona; 3/7 at New Mexico; 3/8 at Corpus Christi; 3/11 at Texas; 3/19 Rio Grande Valley; 3/14 Corpus Christi; 3/18 Amarillo; 3/21 at Arizona; 3/22 at Arizona.

3. New Mexico, 61 points (12 games, 5 at home) 2/29 Arizona; 3/1 Colorado; 3/4 Odessa; 3/6 at Amarillo; 3/7 at Odessa; 3/11 at Arizona; 3/14 at Colorado; 3/15 at Rocky Mountain; 3/16 at Wichita; 3/18 Arizona; 3/21 at Amarillo; 3/22 Amarillo.