« Game Notes, Nov. 21 | Home | MASSE PLACED ON TEAM SUSPENSION »
BEES TOP SCORPIONS 5-2
By admin | November 22, 2007
By: Rachel Reida
Hidalgo, Texas— Dennis Maxwell had three assists and Jeff Van Nynatten made 32 saves to lead the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees past the New Mexico Scorpions 5-2 Wednesday night at the Dodge Arena. Mark O’Leary skated away with the game-winner for the Bees who have now won three in a row.
Josh Bonar bagged his second goal of the season just 50 seconds into the game to give Rio the 1-0 lead. New Mexico tied things up at the 4:54 mark of the second when Dominic Osman connected on the power play.
Rio fired back with two goals 42 seconds apart and added another at 13:03 to head into the final period with a 4-1 lead. Adam Edinger snapped a streak of 11 games without a goal to make it 2-1 at 8:12, while O’Leary punched home the eventual game-winner at 8:54. Jeremy Van Hoof was credited with his first goal of the season at 13:03.
Andrew Smale scored on the power play for the Scorpions in the third, but Lance Herauf sealed the deal on an empty-netter at 19:14 to give the Bees their sixth win of the season 5-2.
Van Nynatten earned his third consecutive win with 32 saves, while Mike Minard’s four-game winning streak was snapped on a 31-save performance.
The Bees travel to Fort Worth on Friday to face the Texas Brahmas and then head to Corpus Christi to battle the Rayz on Saturday. Listen to the games live on KURV 710 Talk Radio with voice of the Killer Bees Rich Bocchini.
NOTES
-Netminder Jeff Van Nynatten posted a point in tonight’s game with an assist on Edinger’s goal in the second period. The last time a goaltender recorded an assist for Rio was Jeremy Symington on March 11, 2007 against the Austin Ice Bats.
-Both teams posted two power play goals tonight, three of which occurred in the second period (one by New Mexico, and two for the Bees).
-Lance Herauf has posted points in every game he has skated in as a Bee adding a empty-net goal tonight.
-Rob Voltera has points (2-4-6) in five straight games as does Dennis Maxwell (3-7-10). It appeared that Van Hoof’s goal was redirected by Travis Banga. If he eventually gets credit for the goal he will also have points (2-3-5) in five straight games.
COACH FIXTER SOUNDBITES
On the Corpus and Laredo losses tonight:
“We do look at other teams, but we need to look at us and get out wins.”
Overall thoughts on tonight’s game:
“It was the best game we have played all year. They played hungry and with determination tonight. They won battles and picked up loose pucks. There were a lot of good things that went on tonight.”
Things the team will be working on in the next few days:
“Our penalty kill needs to get a lot better, they gave up two power play goals tonight and that wasn’t good enough.”
On goaltender Jeff Van Nynatten:
“I am really happy he won goaltender of the week! He is very deserving. He played a good hockey game and is one heck of a goaltender.”
Final thoughts:
“It’s nice to be heading on the road with this kind of momentum.”
Topics: Game Recaps |
November 22nd, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Game looked good all around. Good to see the team with some energy. Bonar’s goal I believe was his fourth not his second as stated. Him, Maxwell and Van Nynatten deserved of their star selection.