Scorpions dominate Amarillo on kids day
The New Mexico Scorpions scored early and often on Tuesday, and in more ways than won.
The Scorpions scored four goals in the first period, included a shorthanded goal and two on power plays, and went on to dominate the Amarillo Gorillas 7-2 before a record morning crowd of 6,283, mostly screaming school children from Rio Rancho, Albuquerque and Moriarty.
The youngsters has plenty scream about, as the Scorpions added three goals in the second period to open up a 7-1 advantage after 40 minutes. With the Rio Rancho students sent home after two periods, the third period was much quieter, with Amarillo taking advantage of a 5-on-3 power play to score just 1:09 into the final stanza.
Even though Amarillo outshot the Scorpions 32-31, the quality didn’t match the quantity. Seven different Scorpions scored in the game and eight different players had assists in the rout.
New Mexico got off to a bad start, as Tyler Fuller was whistled for hooking just 1:34 into the game. But that didn’t slow down the Scorpions, as Aaron MacInnis intercepted an Amarillo pass and pushed it out to Ross McCain, who fed Chris Robertson for a shorthanded goal. McCain added a goal less than five minutes later, and Seth Leonard and Craig Macdonald converted Amarillo power plays into goals in the second half of the period.
Mike MacDonald and Jordan Foote scored in the first 2:32 of the second period to stretch the margin to 6-0 before Amarillo’s Gordon Foote broke the shutout with 1250 remaining the in the period. Torren Delforte’s goal with 5:41 left made the margin six goals again entering the final period.
Wednesday’s victory capped a 4-2 homestand for New Mexico, which is fighting to get back into playoff contention. The Scorpions play three games and three days at Rio Grande Valley, Corpus Christi and Odessa before returning home on Feb. 25 for a rematch with Amarillo on “Dollar Soda Night.”
Ticket information is available at www.ScorpionsHockey.com or by calling 881-PUCK. Ticket specials are being offered by the Scorpions, recently selected as the Rio Rancho Rotary Club’s “Business of the Year,” for groups as small as 10 people.
available for as little as 10 people
Complete statistics and standings are available at wwwCentralHockeyLeague.com.