Scorpions eliminated from playoffs


Jason Visser’s power play goal with 6:11 left in the game gave the Arizona Sundogs a 4-3 victory over New Mexico in the Central Hockey League playoffs, eliminating the Scorpions from the postseason.

Arizona, which won the best-of-seven series 4-2, now plays Laredo for the Western Conference championship.

New Mexico led twice in the game – 1-0 and 2-1 on goals by Mitch Stephens and Kevin Harvey – but trailed 3-2 entering the final period. Ray Ortiz’s shorthanded goal off a Chris Roberson pass with 11:14 left tied the game, setting up Visser’s heroics following a penalty on Harvey. It followed one of only four penalties against New Mexico; Arizona was called for only one penalty (in the second period) after a penalty-filled Game 5 that included three game-misconduct penalties against the Scorpions and the suspension of Konrad Reeder, New Mexico’s leading scorer for Game 6.

New Mexico took the early lead when Stephens scored after a turnover in the Arizona end. Sundog Steve Rymsha tied the scored 18 seconds later.

After Harvey’s second-period goal (assists going to Ross McCain and Aaron MacInnis) in the opening 1:12 of the second period, Arizona rallied to take the lead on goals by Kyle Hood and Cory Urquhart. It stayed that way until Robertson went in for a shorthanded shot on Arizona goalie Robert McVicar and Ortiz put home the rebound.

New Mexico pulled its goalie, Mike Minard, with 65 seconds left but couldn’t score the game-winner.