Wednesday, October 27, 2010

New Mexico Renegades Fundraiser Barbecue

Come out for the New Mexico Renegades second fundraiser barbeque. Meet the players as they assist you in taking your order for a delicious grilled hamburger or brat, grilling up your order, or getting your order to you. Assorted chips and drinks will also be available! Get there early...the first barbeque was so popular all of the food sold out...So, come out this Saturday, enjoy a delicious lunch or snack. and help the non-profit organization, New Mexico Renegades Hockey continue to bring exciting junio0r hockey action to Rio Rancho

Date & Time: Saturday October 30 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Location: Sunflower Farmers Market

               Coors Blvd. NW & Alameda NW
               Albuquerque, NM


While you're there...check-out Sunflower Farmers market for some of the great burgers and brats served at the barbeque and many of the other values offered daily!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Breaking The Streak


The New Mexico Renegades responded to Coach Ambroziak's request this past weekend and competed.  Although they wetn 0-3, the scores were 4-2 (F), 3-2 (F/OT) and a heart-breaking 5-4 loss (GWG @ 18:38 of the 3rd period).
It's no secret that the Renegades have been stuck in the rough for a few weeks, but junior hockey is the tool to teach players how to handle adversity.  Anyone can play when it's convenient and comfortable, but what players are going to push themselves at a 5:30 AM practice?  Who will get off the 15-hour bus ride and fight through the road legs?  Junior hockey is a 60 game season in the Mid-West and that is before play-offs.  Right now the Renegades are battling the grind and with perseverance, this streak will turn around. A team has to lose playing well before they can win.  That is how an athlete learns the amount of work it takes to win a game.  A losing streak teaches players to appreciate and work for the win.
So keep cheering on your New Mexico Renegades, because as fans, remember this: It doesn't matter where you start, but where you finish.  It's a long season and I sense that the Renegades are about to make a statement.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Renegades Ready for Rampage!

After an arduous week of practice and "getting back to the basics", the Renegades are set to battle the Rampage on home-ice.  Last series, the Renegades reuturned from Tulsa 1-2.  Veteran goaltender Colton Ishmael starred in Game Two of the series with a 50+ save performance to lead the Renegades to a 2-1 victory.

As with any game, goaltending and defense are a crucial part of winning, but even more so when playing the Tulsa Rampage.  Their team is known for firing an unbelievable amount of shots on goal with the idea of "catching the goalie off-guard", while attempting to break the goaltender's focus and tiring the netminder out.  This also forces the defensemen to battle for rebounds and wear them down as well.  With the Renegades' solid trio of netminders in Colton Ishmael, Rett Vossler and Brandon Loera, New Mexico should be comfortable in net.  Although a tad shorthanded at defense with the abscence of Assistant Captain Matt Pipkins he will be in the lockerroom to lead the Blue Line Crew.  Rookie Trevor McClary had this to say about the upcoming weekend:

"I have confidence that this weekend against Tulsa the team as one has alot of work to do, but I feel with the hardwork that we've shown since we've been home from Texas is will pay off."

Also, the New Mexico Renegades want to wish Colton Ishmael a happy birthday!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Rough Weekend for the Renegades; Still Finding Positives Though

Friday, the Renegades lost 2-1 against the Texas Brahmas in Dallas.  The game was competitive, with action going both ways, but unfortunately, the Renegades came out on the wrong side of the score.  On a bright note, WSHL scoresheets indicate that newcomer Rett Vossler recorded 42 saves in his performance.  Also the New Mexico Renegades want to congratulate rookie forward Craig Parry on his first junior hockey goal, as he recorded the lone tally of the game for the Renegades.

Saturday and Sunday were different.  The Renegades had a rough 48 hours and things just were not in favor of the boys.  Special team play had a role in the game, as Saturday Texas recorded two shorthanded tallies and two powerplay tallies.  Sunday, Texas put up multiple powerplay goals again. The positive though:  Congratulations to Creighton Lay on his first junior hockey goal.


Junior hockey is a learning curve, and the Renegades learned the hard way this weekend about following up a tough Friday loss.  As a Renegade alum, I know the boys will fly out of gates on Friday against Tulsa, especially at home.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Renegades Update

The New Mexico Renegades fall 2-1 in a hard fought game...more to come.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

New Season; New Attitude

As the WSHL enters their fourth weekend of league action, everyone notices the amazing parity of the 2010-11 Mid-West Division.  The Perrenial Power El Paso Rhinos lost their first regular season series ever and suffered a defeat by the expansion Texas Brahmas. They sit in third place.  The Tulsa Rampage split possession of first place with the Texas Brahmas, although the Rampage are three games behind. Defending champion Boulder Bison find themselves tied with the New Mexico Renegades.

While there is a lot of hockey left, it does not take a rocket scientist to notice that:
  • The Renegades beat Tulsa in the Saturday game. Returning goaltender Colton Ishmael stonewalled the opposition with 51 SAVES! 
  • The Bison took a series from the Rhinos, while the Brahmas earned a Friday night win.
  • Tulsa and Texas battled for the series on Sunday in Tulsa.  The Rampage won, but not without a fight.
  • The Renegades dominated Texas in their home opener.
Basically, the 2009-10 season is in the books. The current Renegades squad looks to make a statement in WSHL play this season.  Although young, consisting of 92s and 93s (Only a single '90), the Renegades play with the passion, pride and desire necessary to carry a team into the playoffs.  After losing a playoff spot to the now defunct San Antonio Diablos, Coach Ambroziak leads his junior program into their second season of play with team and player goals in mind.  He looks to contend for the championship while promoting players to the NAHL, Tier II, NCAA and ACHA levels.  With the New Mexico Mustangs literally around the corner, the Renegades players battle everyday, whether it is practice or game time, in an effort to extend their hockey careers.

Veterans, like Captain DJ Pyle ('90) and Jonny Voyles ('92), know that they have an opportunity to chase their NCAA and professional dreams through the Renegades.  The key to success for these veterans is the realization that they have the tools to succeed.  So far, their great leadership and positive communication to rookies is apparent, as players like Garrett Phillips and Spencer Archer put up points and adjust quickly to the style of play at the junior level.

Do not overlook the blue line though.  Assistant Captain Matt Pipkins ('92) leads by example this season.  Fans enjoy watching the Renegades' Blue Line Crew develop into a force and it will not be long before scouts note these players development.

Excitement runs through Rio Rancho this season, as the Renegades not only prepare for a chippy rematch against the Texas Brahmas, but lay the foundation for a special season.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Renegades Fall Short of Winning Series but Show Determination and Promise

The Renegades fell trap to the "Early Friday Game" in Tulsa and skated slowly out of the gates in Friday's 6-3 loss.  Spencer Archer continued his solid production by chipping in a goal, along with rookie Garrett Phillips.  The boys showed comraderie though, especially rookie Brad Harris, as they fought to protect recently acquired goaltender Rett Vossler.  The Renegades found penalty trouble Friday night and could not dig themselves out of the deficit.

Saturday was a new day, new game.  Coach Ambroziak rallied the troops as the Renegades trounced the Rampage 6-2.  Garrett Phillips contributed a goal and three helpers for a total of four points on the night.  Stefan Skinner had a beautiful bardown snipe and Anthony "Little Z" Zarella joined the party with a goal. 

Assistant Captain Matt Pipkins said "Yesterday (Saturday) was our best game of the year.  We kept building off positive energy instead of sulking in our loss.  I was proud to see the boys rally!"

Sunday, the Renegades did not clinch the series though.  The game was back and forth with a lot of emotion.  Both teams grinded to earn a win, but in the final period the Rampage pulled away.  Play was competitive though and Coach Ambroziak is aware the team's strengths and weaknesses.

The Renegades look to a solid week of practice upon their return to Rio Rancho and will have a well-earned off weekend from league play.  The Renegades travel to play the Texas Brahmas two weeks from now.

Who We Are

The New Mexico Renegades Tier III Junior "A" program competes in the Mid-West division of the WSHL. Coach Peter Ambroziak, along with his wife Maryanne Ambroziak, own and operate the junior team. The Ambroziak family is dedicated to helping you progress to the Tier II Junior "A", ACHA and NCAA levels of hockey.



Visit http://www.nmrenegades.com/ to find out how you can become a Renegade!