Scorpions 3, Blazers 0

Wow...just wow

I don't think anyone around the league saw this one coming. Last night's loss to Odessa left such a bitter taste in my mouth that I didn't even bother writing about it, but boy oh boy did the Scorpions make up for it with hands down their best 60-minute effort of the season and possibly of the past few seasons. The offense was crisp, confident and aggressive, the defense was both smart and fundamental, and the goaltending was world-class. The team Randy Murphy put out there tonight was one that finally recognized its potential, and if they can keep that up, the rest of the league is sure to take notice.

Observations:

• Sweet redemption for Jason Wolfe against his former mates, especially after getting pretty well handled in the first meeting between the two teams. While the defense deserves all the credit in the world, especially without Michael Beynon, it was Wolfe who made the shutout stand with a remarkable third period. That save he made late in the game on Jeff MacDermid could be the save of the season
• Seth Leonard must have heard the grumbling because he continues to heat up. As Murphy has said a number of times, you probably won't see the best Seth Leonard until around December. Well, if 10 points (5g, 5a) and a +7 in the last 5 games of November is a prelude of what's to come, the critics are likely to be starved for words
• For the first time this season, the Scorpions forced the issue on special teams, especially the penalty-kill. That passive box that opponents had been so quick to exploit was nowhere to be found, and even though T.J. Luxmore only whistled the Scorpions for 7 penalties (5 of which resulted in powerplays), Murphy has to be happy with the PK
• How slick was the play by Jamie Herrington on Leonard's second goal of the game? Herry was a smart player when he joined the Scorpions two seasons ago, but he has come back as an even savvier player on both sides of the puck. He has been the epitome of an all-situations guy for the Scorpions and I hope he gets the recognition he deserves

Elsewhere:

• It's not a field goal or a 9-spot, but Rapid City shutting out Colorado in the Rush's home debut is as impressive as any scoreline in the CHL this season
• As Greg Rajan documents, an instant classic between the Kings and the IceRays in Corpus.
• Laredo does the Scorpions a favor
• So does Tulsa -- for about 22 minutes. Ouch

To nicely tie all of the night's themes together, here's a boxscore from one of my all-time favorite games, a 1-0 shutout by Miguel Beaudry against OKC back in the Tingley days.