Scorpions 5, Rush 3

This was one of the few times all season that the Scorpions showed up and played a road-style game at home. It was a perfect example of the hard-nosed, no frills hockey that Randy Murphy's guys will need to play down the stretch if they stand a chance of being in the playoff picture.

Observations:

• Great game by the Leonard/Herrington/Macdonald line. Herrington seems to have found some instant chemistry with his new linemates, and that line very easily could've put up 2 or 3 more goals on the evening
• Both of Aaron MacInnis' assists were absolutely beautiful. The stretch pass to Macdonald on the first goal was an a tape-to-tape bullet, and Miguel Beaudry had zero chance on the Herrington tip-in for goal number 2
• How about the on-ice presence of the Scorpions' newly formed checking line? Jordan Foote and Adam Knight were hitting anything on skates, and even Mike MacDonald was throwing his 5'6" frame around quite a bit. As for Ross McCain, he was his usual smart, responsible self in both zone. Oh, and how about that one-touch drop pass off the skate to Knight in the second period? That was about the coolest, most creative setup I've seen at any level. If that turns into a goal, someone's on the phone to Sportscenter
  
• Kyle McNulty is making a very strong case for a starting position. He strikes me as a very calm, composed goaltender, even when the action is right on top of his crease. You can't really fault him on any of Rapid City's goals, and he is the sole reason the Scorpions took a lead into the first intermission, as they were being outshot 10-2 before Macdonald's tally stole the momentum back

Elsewhere:

• Rocky Mountain makes an emphatic statement that they are a plenty good team without Brent Cullaton
• The scoreline and the shot count tell two completely different stories between Texas and Colorado. Did the Brahmas outplay the Eagles or did Brett Jaeger steal one for the Southern Conference?
• That other team from the Ft. Worth area (sorta) rips the Blueshirts 10-2. Any thoughts, Josh Rael?