Minor League Hockey

There is hockey outside the NHL. There are smaller leagues where guys are living the dream.
There is the Central Hockey League, that covers an area from Youngstown Ohio to Corpus Christi Texas. From Broomfield Colorado to Prescott Valley Arizona. Most of Texas has a team or had a team in the CHL.
Yes , Bunkie New Mexico has a hockey team. Rio Rancho New Mexico is home of the New Mexico
Scorpions.
The Scorpions started in Albuquerque 11 years ago. They played in Tingley Coliseum an old metal building that had rodeos & monster trucks shows . But that didn't stop an average of 4,000 plus people from coming for every game.
The players come from Canada , The Czech Republic , Slovakia , Boston, Michigan and anywhere else. They love playing hockey. They are living their dream. They aren't working on the farms or in the factories. They work hard to hone their skills , spend long hours in buses on road trips and entertain the fans home & away.

We have players on our team who have family who have played in the NHL. There are a few rare players from our league
who have made it to the Show. At least for a few game. They had that spark & their love of the game still burns bright.

Check out the smaller league hockey teams in your area and enjoy hockey live & at a price that won't bankrupt your budget like an NHL game would. You can meet the players at team functions &
get to know & appreciate how hard they work & how much they share your love of hockey.

Spread the work & lets get some more poeple loving the game.

Carey Price : The Goaltender of future. 4

I think Carey has played very well for a young rookie. I hope that with this year of experience he will get better
and better. It's nice to see a young guy come into the NHL from Juniors & play so well.

His last 5 outs haven't been his best. I hope he gets back in a groove or he will be back in the AHL.


Carey Price has 19 games played 9 wins 7 losses
His last 5 games he has 2 wins 2 losses 1 pull
He has averaged 30 shots against.

W L GAA Sv % GA SHA
Jan 5, 2008 Washington 0 0 5.00 0.828 5 29
Dec 23, 2007 Dallas 0 1 4.0 0.810 4 21
Dec 18, 2007 Florida 0 1 3.10 0.900 3 30
Dec 15, 2007 Toronto 1 0 1.02 0.966 1 29
Dec 13, 2007 Philadelphia 1 0 1.02 0.968 1 31

Jason Tapp 58 saves

December 13, 2007
Jason Tapp had a hell of a game stopping 58 of 60 shots on goal.
They were playing the Arizona Sundogs. A team that has been hard to beat.
At this writing 23-16-6-1

I wish I could have been there to see this game. It must have been like watching "The Big Unit" throw
a no hitter. Gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.

Congrats Tapper on a great game.
Best of luck to you on your season.

Scorpions v/ Bees 12/15/07

It's rare to see 7 goals scored in a game. But The Scorpions scored 7 in the first period. They scored 3 goals in 5 minutes on a talented Goalie from the Killer Bees named Jeff Van Nynatten. The Goalie change at 5:40 of the first period didn't help much.
David Lemanowicz took over and got 7 goals scored on him total. Lemanowicz held the Scorpions scoreless in the 2nd period.

Andrew Martin stopped 21 of 24 shots on goal. He played an excellent game & had help from his defense corp.
Martin is the number eight Goalie in the League with a GAA of 2.59 and a save percentage of .918.
He has been playing very well in his first year in the CHL.

Here is the link to the game sheet.http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=534434

Craig MacDonald scored his first hat trick in the CHL.
Konrad Reeder had 6 assists in this game.
Andy Smale had 2 goals & an assist.
Vladimar Hartinger , team Captain, had 2 goals & an assist.

The Scorpions played well & deserve the win. They should feel good beating the number 2 team in the South East division
of the Central Hockey League. The Killer Bees have some talented player & the took the loss hard.

Scorps 2 game road trip to Odessa

I was in Odessa for 2 games.
I guess they are still having trouble with the ice. That makes it harder to skate on.
The Boys split the Jack's home stand.

Game one , we won. In OT shoot out.
It was a very good game. The excitement of watching the Tenders pit
them against the shooters is so exciting. Minard & Gorman were very good.
Each team worked at getting shots Odessa had more in the 1st , NM more in the 2nd.

The Scorps first goal was by Dominic Osman : asst by Erik Johnson & Ray Ortiz
The next goal by Vladimir Hartinger : asst Konras Reeder & Mitch Stephens
Both of theses were in the 2nd period.
The Scorps scored 2 goals in the 3rd period The first was the 2nd goal by Dominic Osman : asst
by Aaron MacInnis & Craig MacDonald. The 2nd , the 2nd goal by Vladamir Hartinger : asst by Reeder
& Stephens again.
The result was a 4-4 tie.

In the shoot out the Scorps won by Ray Ortiz , Mitch Stephens & Michael Kolarz.

Aaron MacInnis scored his 100th point of his carrer & Michael Kolarz got his first GWG !
Congrats to both.

The second game we just didn't step up our play when we needed too.
The rookie Tender for the Jacks played very well. Vincent is a big kid at 6'4" , 214 & just turned 21. If he keeps it up he will only get better as the season rolls along.
The Scorps only Goal was scored by Andy Smale : asst by Erick Johnson & Jay Holladay.

If anyone you want to make a road trip of it go to Odessa. It's a friendly barn. Don't act like a horses ass and they will
treat you well. If you act like a horses ass don't tell em you heard about their barn from me.

Scorpions 13 games in.

The Scorpions have played 13 games now. We have a couple of newer guys I have been keeping an eye on. And the returning Vets & tweeners. They are 7-5-1 and have one shutout.
Konrad Reeder is our leading scorer. He is like "Cool Hand Luke" He just digs in & smiles. He is the guy who just tries harder when you mess with him. Conrats to KR & his wife on their new baby. Dominic Osman is our 2 guy. He is very intense on the ice & a really nice guy. Jay Holladay is a really nice guy. He has had some good games. He can be everywhere pushing the other team. Then there is our beloved Kevin Harvey. He has improved his level of play so much his second year with us. He has matured & doesn't go wild man like he used too. He knows that the Refs will call things on him even if he doesn't start it.
There is Ross McCain & Blair Stayzer . Mature players who don't get rattled & who add layers of experience to a team with
so many rookies.

There is one singing goalie , He is pretty good & way funny. MIke Minard
There is one shut out goalie. Not the same guy as above. *wink* Andrew Martin
They had 2 mohawk guys , now they are down to one. We miss you TK. Kevin Harvey & Tommy Kotopolous
They have had some sucess & it seems like the boys are getting the hang of each other.
There are guys who love hockey & are trying hard to do their best. It's fun to watch when it working. And the hope for better is just a few steps way.
Here is too more good hockey !

Gorillas / Scorps.

This was a hard fought game.
The rillas knocked the net off & didn't even get a call. It wasn't the goalie this time.

Jay Holladay was on fire. He was all over the place. Pushing the rillas back on their
heels. He may have not gotten a point but he sure made a point.

The big fight was started because the rillas boarded KR & while he was sitting on the
ice trying to figure out what happened hell broke loose. There was a huge pile up.

Who ever was fighting David Simoes pulled the fighting strap off his jersey. The
ref looked & couldn't give him the "toss" cause it was still attached to his belt.
It was a a classic look. He just shook his head & dropped it back on to Davids backside.
LOL

The Scorps won in OT.
It was a hellva game.

Will add pictures later.

Photos from home games.

Top : Andrew Martin
Mike MInard
Scorps Gorillas
Blair Styzer

Carey Price : The Goaltender of future. 3

The Rookie has a few games under his belt. He has done pretty well.
He has a toughness mentally and despite his young age he is playing very well.
He has 2 wins : against the Pens.
one loss in a shoot out. : against Atlanta
one loss : against Ottowa

His GAA is 2.65 / GA 11 / 117 saves.
Save % .906

Carey played the Briuns & won another game. Nov 8 07
In 5 starts he has 3 wins , one loss , one OTL
His GAA is 2.33
save % .918
Goals against 12
Saves 146

As of 12-17-07
Carey has played 16 games. He has 16 games with 9 wins 5 losses
His GAA is 2.70
His save percentage is .916
Goals against 43
Saves 509

He has played with poise so far. He will be better as the season goes on.
He plays calm & inspires his his teamates.

He stopped 30 shots against the Leaf's December 15 for a win,
Carey has won 2 games against the Leafs this year.
With more than half of the season left the Habs could turn their season
around. Carey Price will be able to help.

Pictures from Oddessa. October '07'

I didn't have a lot but enjoy.

Scorps home opener.

Andrew Martin 2007-08
New Mexico Scorpions


The new season starts for the Scorpions with many changes. Unlike some teams who have so many returning players the Scorpions don't. We have 6 returning players on a 17 man roster. Things take time to settle in and for them to get a feel for each other on the ice. The Scorpions opened their season at home against the Laredo Bucks.
The first game against the Bucks we got schooled. There was a lack of defensive effort & we needed help in goal. An 8 -2 loss is hard to take. We now have enforcers who will keep the Goons off our Boys. That's one good thing. But almost a moot point when loosing so badly. While we all know that the referees can't see everything having them for an opponent is another matter. When I talked to the Scorpion players after the game they realized that their performance was lacking. There will be another chance to step up & gain some momentum in a positive direction.
The second game was a much better showing. The final result the same. Having the defense show up was a major factor in keeping the scoring against the Scorpions down. The Goaltender still seems to have a problem with getting scored on when he goes down. I was told by a Scorpions player that he had a long off season from the end of his season in Ireland. They both feel that he will improve with play. I wish I could have taken a picture of the stunned looks on the Bucks at the end of the first period. The Scorps lead the Bucks 3-0. The Scorpions played a really good first periond. The Bucks are not the kind of team to just give up & the game ended in a 4-4 tie at the end of regulation. With 2:58 left in OT the Bucks scored. While loosing is never easy, it was a boost for the Scorpions knowing that they played one of the best teams in the Central Hockey League as well as they did this early in the season.

There was an after the game gathering at a local establishmet. The Boys got to meet & mingle with their fans. It's part of what makes CHL hockey so much fun. I talked to Andy Smale about the lack of our Captain being on the ice. He said that
"Vlady (Vladimer Hartinger) brings not only experience & wisdom but heart." Very good qualities for a Captain.
We have guys like Tommy Kotsopoulos , David Simoes , Blair Stayzer ,Shawn Skiehar , Ross McCain , guys who make the
Scorpions tougher and create sparks.
We have 2 new Goalies , Mike Minard & Andrew Martin. I have yet to see the resuls I have hoped for but it is early in the
season.

The Scorpions : 2007

From top to bottom
Vlady Hartinger
Michael Kolarz
Andrew Martin
The Scorpions have a lot of really nice guys on the team. They love hockey & are working at becoming more
in tune with each other.
There is Michael Kolarz from the Chezch Republic. He is a very nice guy. He started playing hockey at age 4.
He started playing defence at age 8 because he could skate backwards fast. lol
Vlady Hartinger is our Captain this year, He Just skated his 200th game as a Scorpion. A milestone that was announced
during the 2nd period. I was very happy for him. He is a good man & a good defense man.
Andrew Martin is a good Goalie and nice guy, I love to watch him in net. He comes fron Texas & can be seen with his
Longhorns cap on in bench.