RENEGADES PREPARE FOR TULSA RAMPAGE!!!

After a long week of practice, the Renegades travel to Tulsa, OK to take on the Rampage at the Oilers Ice Center.  The first road trip of the year is always tough, but the Tulsa road trip is tougher for two reasons:

1.) You have a time-zone change.  This means that arriving at 4:00 Mountain is 5:00 Central.  Time management is a necessity.  Players have to plan out how to sleep on the bus and then actually sleep.  It is part of the rigors of junior hockey that prepare a player for the collegiate level.

2.) Tulsa traditionally schedules their Friday game at 5:30, way earlier than anyone else.  This means to arrive at 3:30 PM Central (2:30 Mountain) you have to leave by 2:30 AM.  Remember, the players still have to get to the hotel, check-in, take a nap and grab some food, not to mention practice Thursday before they leave.  Also, some of the Renegades are still in high school or attend their college classes part-time in person (I was luck to go on-line last year).  That makes for a long day and a tough schedule.

Away from the logistics and let's breakdown Tulsa.

They were off last weekend, but faced the Brahmas opening weekend of WSHL play.

Bobby Watson (#14) returns as a third-year veteran to the Rampage and is their offensive threat.  His stat lines were 2-2-4 in their Friday 5-2 win, 1-1-2 in their Saturday 5-3 loss, and 1-1 in their Sunday 5-2 win for a total of 4 Goals, 4 Assists and 8 points on the weekend.  He appears to be on a line with Jeff Lundberg who recorded 2 goals and 3 assists on the weekend.  Watson and Lundberg were seen all over the scoresheet and appear to be Tulsa's top offensive line.

Returning Tulsa 3-year veterans Travis Ringeman and Ty Smith did not appear all over the scoresheet, but are known for their stout defensive play, although they were both scratched from Sunday's game.

From the scoresheets, it appears Tulsa has one main scoring line, which could bode well for the Renegades.  Last season the Renegades were successful at holding Watson and former leading scorer Tom Whetsel off the scoresheet.  The 2009-10 Renegades normally played Tulsa close. 

The depth of the 2010-11 Renegades is key in picking up a Friday win.  The Renegades need to continue holding Watson off the scoresheet and neuturalize and trump Tulsa's top line.  If that is done, the Renegades next two offensive lines should put up some points.  It is up to New Mexico to protect their lead once they gain it.  If the Renegades play good two-way hockey and hustle, which seems to be the theme for the year, then New Mexico should come out on top.

If you are not traveling with the team, you can view WSHL league games on http://www.fasthockey.com/.  Occasionally the Rampage do not use FASTHockey, so if you cannot find the game go to http://www.tulsarampage.com/.

 Ride for the Brand!

UPDATE: PYLE OKAY!

Many of you have already heard about Captain DJ Pyle.

During Saturday's game, as he exited the ice, DJ pushed open a door by using the glass of it and cut an artery in his wrist.  He had to be transported to the hospital immediately and have surgery.

His surgery was successful and he is resting and recuperating.  He is expected to make a full recovery.

Our thoughts go out to DJ and the Pyle family, who are great supporters of the Renegades.  His family has made the trek every weekend from their home in Midland, TX to Pyle's games.  I don't mean just his home games...every game.  Whether it is Tulsa, Boulder or even Vegas they are there to support the team and the program.

Stay strong DJ!

Renegades End Opening Weekend 1-2; Learning Lessons for Tulsa

After opening their season with a win, the New Mexico Renegades lost 8-0 and 6-4 on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday's game was a rough one for the Renegades. The Renegades stood tough though and defended themselves physically.  Things just did not click. The Brahmas' top line took over the game and never looked back.

Sunday was different though.  The Renegades held a lead for a strong portion of the game, but once again the Brahmas' top line saved them.  New Mexico did not hold on for the victory.

Coach Peter Ambroziak had this to say about the weekend:

"Friday night was great.  We competed and battled for the win.  Saturday and Sunday we learned lessons though.  As a team, we need to learn to play with the lead and hold it. Friday showed what we can do, but Saturday and Sunday showed what we need to work on.  With a solid week of practice we will be ready to face Tulsa."

Overall, the opening weekend was a success.  A crowd was in attendance to watch the Renegades open with a win, and the boys learned what they need to do to win a weekend series.  It may be a cliche, but the Renegades are focusing on "Winning the first period" in Tulsa on Friday, and going from there.

Renegades Earn Friday Win; Focusing on Saturday Now!

The New Mexico Renegades fed off the electric atmosphere at Blades Multiplex Arena and battled for a 7-4 win over the visiting Texas Brahmas. 

New Mexico product Anthony Zarella notched the opening tally of the night, with local Brad Harris assisting.  Zarella then pumped another goal home to chase the Brahmas starting netminder from the crease.  ("Little Z" also won his fight on the night, and was an assist away from a Gordie Howe Hat Trick- not a bad for a '94) 

The Renegades did not stop though, Cody Miller put away the third goal of the period and newcomer Trevor McClary finished the Renegades 1st period looting with a mark of his own.  The Renegades ended the 1st up 4-2.

After intermission, the Brahmas came out flying and made a statement of their own, as their top line put up two to even the score at 4.

In heroic fashion, newly named captain DJ Pyle buried the Game Winning Goal as the Renegades pulled away.  Rookie Chris Thirion provided some cushion with a goal of his own, and Cody Miller tapped home a Garrett Phillips' home-run pass into the empty net to seal the deal.

Rookie netminder Brandon Loera should not be overlooked though.  In his junior debut, the young goaltender from California put forth a 22-save effort, with some timely stops, to bring home the "W".

The Renegades found scoring from 11 different players, with '92 Cody Miller leading the way with 3 points, while Anthony Zarella and DJ Pyle were next up with 2 points a piece.  Creighton Lay ended his junior debut with an assist, along with returner Jake Robertson and veteran Jonathan Voyles.  Veteran defenseman Matt Pipkins pitched in an assist while continuing to be a physical prescence on the ice and a leader in the locker room.

The Renegades return to action at 7:30 PM.  Get over to Blades early to get good seats, because the house was packed!

Renegades Prepare for Opening Weekend Battle!

The New Mexico Renegades are a little over 24 hours away from opening their regular season!  The Renegades will take on the Texas Brahmas at Blades Multiplex as they open up WSHL play.

The Brahmas went 1-2 against the Tulsa Rampage, in Tulsa, this past weekend.  Scoring was spread out between their top two lines, with the one player standing out on the scoresheet, Jordan Gnatkowsky, with a 3 point performance in the Saturday Brahma win.  The scores were two 5-2 losses (on Friday and Sunday) and a 5-3 (EN) win on Saturday.

The Brahmas are coached by Jeremy Law, who is no stranger to the WSHL.  Law led the Tucson Tilt and Forth Worth Texans, two of the better teams in WSHL history, a few seasons ago.  It is expected he will ice a competitive team.

The Renegades show no fear though, as they battled hard against the Tier II Mustangs of the NAHL while dominating the UNM ACHA team (they were stonewalled by goaltending coach Kevin Blair's son in the loss though).

The Renegades found solid production during pre-season from rookies Garrett Phillips, Chris Thirion and Spencer Archer.  Look for these forwards to terrorize the scoresheet along with veterans Jonny Voyles, DJ Pyle and Cody Miller.

Defensively, veteran Matt Pipkins continues to patrol the blueline with tenacity and put together a great pre-season along with rookies Creighton Lay and Mike O'Sickey.  Look for Brad Harris to be a physically imposing force.

In goal, Brandon Loera is settling into a rhythm in his first season of junior hockey, and with the defensive unit Bench Boss Peter Ambroziak recruited, Loera and his D-Men will find success.

Overall, excite fills the air as fans will get a look at a revamped Renegades roster!

BOOSTER CLUB HAVING PRE-GAME PARTY SATURDAY!

We will be meeting in the front of Blades at 4:30p before the Renegades game against the Texas Jr. Brahmas on Saturday, 9/25/10. There will be a grill there and we ask that participants bring a side-dish and some drinks, though some basic drinks (water, some soda) will be available. We will have some burgers and brats, so if you want something else, please feel free to bring that out to be put on the grill!!

Come on out and meet other Renegades fans, billets, and maybe some players...before the game! There is no place to sit in front of Blades, so we recommend you bring a chair if you'd like to take a load off while socializing and having fun!

We look forward to all our fans coming out to see the Renegades get their seond season off with an exciting weekend of hockey!

Let Them Eat Cake...PanCAKEs!!!

The NM Renegades players were out in full force, supporting youth players from Rio Rancho Soccer Club, as they attended a pancake & carwash fundraiser at the Rio Rancho Applebees on 528.

Players feasted on all-you-can-eat pancakes while their cars were being washed on Sunday morning.

Renegades Staff and Booster Club also attended and enjoyed the great breakfast.

Youth soccer players served customers their meals, refilled beverages and helped wash cars outside the restaurant.

Great job to Rio Rancho Soccer Club!