Scorpions 6, Gorillas 3

Well it wasn't the prettiest game I've seen, but this definitely has to rank as one of the better opening nights in recent memory for Randy Murphy and the Scorps. It looked every bit an opening game, with plenty of things clicking and plenty of things -- well -- not. Anyhow, here are some observations from game 1 of the 08/09 campaign:

• Randy Murphy had to juggle lines around a bit as a result of immigration delays with John Mazzei and Neil Trimm. You could definitely see a lack on continuity on more than one occasion, but kudos to the Scorps for finding their way through it
• Congratulations to Torren Delforte and Sam Bowles on their first goals as professionals. I thought Delforte played a cut above most of the guys out there tonight and his two points were definitely earned. As for Bowles, it's great to see a guy who's hailed for his defensive abilities net a crucial goal to put the game out of reach. Both of those guys were absolutely beaming after the game, Delforte especially. Like I said before, the kid has an absolutely infectious personality. The batteries on my recorder crapped out or I'd have some quote material from both. But hey, how about a hand for the Union College? Not a bad showing for the Dutchmen on opening night
• A couple of absolute snipe-jobs from Jamie Herrington and Mitch Stephens. Herrington rang a laser of a snapshot off the elbow joint -- off his own face-off win, mind you -- and Stephens absolutely froze Jonsson on his penalty shot. Something tells me Jonsson was thinking deke
• Nick Theriault is quickly making a name for himself as public enemy No. 1. Maybe I haven't spent enough time on the bench, but never in my life have I heard a player flap his gums as much as he did in the preseason game in Santa Fe. True to form, he continued the trash-talk tonight. Granted, he's not afraid to back it up by throwing his weight around -- and Terriault is a BIG boy-- but between the sucker punch he landed on Chris Robertson and the boarding/attempted murder penalty he picked up on Nate Bostic, my money says it won't take long for the old Scorpions/Gorillas rivalry to get stirred up again
• A very respectable first start for Andrew Martin. He looked very sharp in net, especially on the dozen or so one-timers that Sam Ftorek had from the hashmarks. I think the Scorpions definitely dodged more than a few bullets by leaving a player with that kind of shot untouched in the slot. Still, Martin's vision and rebound control were exceptional, minus the juicy he left for Gordon Bell on Bell's first tally. In Martin's defense, Caponigri's spin move was pretty slick and it probably would have caught most goaltenders off guard
• Aaron MacInnis has a massive gash above his right eye. I didn't see what exactly happened, and no one in the locker room had a definitive answer, but Big Mac definitely has endured enough punishment in one night to last him a full season. They'll leave it up to Woody to make him look pretty again
• Lastly, on a personal note, I will never again wear a piece of Red Wings paraphernalia into the Scorpions locker room. Macdonald and Cosmos were there to back me up, but that room started to get pretty lonely pretty quick. Oh, and here's my obligatory shout-out to Jamie Herrington and Kyle McCullough for mentioning "blog" in the course of conversation.

Elsewhere:

• Laredo makes up for lost time by pumping Scott Reid for six goals. Looks like Jeff Bes is on pace for 256 assists...that'll teach anyone to question the reigning MVP
• Colorado and Rapid City put up a baker's dozen in Loveland. If the air is thinner, does the puck travel that much faster? Either way, no better way to kick off a new rivalry
• Could be a fluke, but the Jackalopes appear to be as good on the ice as they are on paper. Just ask Arizona. At least the fans got to enjoy the banner-raising ceremony and the customary Karl Sellan flip-out session
• Kevin St. Pierre helps Tulsa come away from OKC with a point. As Greg Rajan noted, that's going to be a tired bunch facing the retooled Rays at ABC Saturday night
• Bossier exacts a little regular-season revenge on Texas. But seriously... a combined total of two shots in the first period? And both went in!? Someone tell me that's a type-o