RIO RANCHO, NM – Over the past three seasons the Scorpions have turned the corner so many times they have worn a rut in the desert
Seth Leonard scores in recent game. Photo by Lou Lafrado
Perhaps these past ten days have seen them turn a corner that has not led to the cul de sac of the damned.
Defensively, this team has been decidedly lacking in talent and ability. The goalies have been left to defend the net alone while defensemen seemingly scramble for a job opportunity in the slot. The result has been a series of games where the Scorpions were defeated early in games and the opposition just skated to cool down in preparation for a post game
Ben Chaisson. Photo courtesy of NM Scorpions
Head coach Randy Murphy has been searching waiver wires and panning for at least silver if not gold. Coincidentally Murphy picked up blueliner Ben Chaisson in a trade with the Tulsa Oilers. After a game or two of getting used to new surroundings Chaisson has fit well into the backline corps for Murphy.
“Ben is automatically an upgrade for our team in toughness,” Murphy said. “He is a young, eager kid with good size that should fit well into our plans.”
Also added to the blueline was Michael Beynon who was waived
Michael Beynon. Photo courtesy of NM Scorpions
Defensemen Dylan Row, Cory Courchane and Russell Smith were waived by New Mexico to make room for the new additions to the roster. Whether or not they are upgrades will be decided by a playoff berth.
This week Murphy made yet another move on the blueline when he acquired Lyon Messier after he was waived by the Charlotte Checkers of the ECHL.
Messier, 21, has a strong bloodline. His father is NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier. In his first game, the younger Messier was a +1 with 7 PIMs and was an object of some derision from the Amarillo Gorillas who targeted the defenseman from the outset of the most recent New Mexico
Lyon Messier. Photo courtesy of NM Scorpions
These moves and certainly others to follow will need to make an impression on those who survive the roster moves. Winning may not be everything but winning puts fans in seats and the Scorpions, like all hockey franchises, needs fans ( see Augusta Lynx for the signs of failure ). At this point in early December, the Scorpions are three games under .500 and in second place in a mediocre division. The Odessa Jackalopes are about to runaway with the division title and New Mexico needs to look at positioning for a playoff spot other than first in the Southwest.
Winning is a wonderful cure to so many things including having made the right decision about turning left or right out of the cul de sac of futility.
Contact the author at lou.lafrado@prohockeynews.com.
Author’s note: The Scorpions reverted to form Saturday night in the back half of a two-game set with Amarillo. After drubbing the Gorillas 8-2 Friday the Scorpions gave up 5 first period goals and lost 6-3. The game marked the 12th time this season New Mexico has surrendered 5+ goals in a match. The defensive efforts of the Scorpions are sorely lacking.
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