Scott's grit impacts Bees

HIDALGO — Getting hit in the ankle with a slap shot hurts. Seeing the puck float into your own net makes it even worse, which Topher Scott found out Sunday.

“Oh, it was the worst. It was absolutely the worst,” Scott said. “I couldn’t believe it. But, it’s part of the game, it happens. So, it’s just one of those unfortunate things.”

Scott, who didn’t skate in either Tuesday or Wednesday’s practices, tried to block a shot just below the blue line during the first period of Sunday’s 6-5 win at Laredo but accidentally deflected the puck past goalie Andy Franck for a Bucks power play goal. The shot was the second that Scott blocked on the shift, with that one knocking him out of the game.

Nobody around the Bees, though, was holding the goal against Scott. If anything, they said his attempt to stay on the ice during the penalty kill gave them a spark that led to only their seventh win all-time at Laredo.

“That’s why Toph’s here,” Bees coach Chris Brooks said. “You know exactly what you’re going to get. He’s a competitor and has great character.”

Scott’s status for this weekend’s games against Missouri is unclear but he does have some extra inspiration to suit up. His fiancé who works in New York will be in the Valley this weekend.

MUNCY’S DAY

After Scott left Sunday’s game, rookie forward Sean Muncy stepped into his place. Playing center on a line with forwards Aaron Lee and Zak McClellan, Muncy picked up three assists in only his third game of the year after starting on injured reserve.

Ironically, when he was hit, Scott was trying to kill a Muncy hooking penalty.

“It’s unfortunate for Toph, especially since he was killing a penalty that I took, so I think he’s on to me,” Muncy said. “I think Toph can do the same. He can step right back in and make that line just as good. That line is defined by hard work and those guys do a great job.”

Muncy’s weekend didn’t start as well as it ended, however. In his season debut against Arizona, Muncy was a minus-2 and didn’t register a shot.

“Friday was a little rough. It was kind of a wake-up call in my first pro game,” Muncy said. “I think I was minus-2 after my first two shifts. So I was kind of like a deer in the headlights, like ‘What’s going on?’ But I know my role and try to work for my chances and as the weekend went on I was fortunate enough to play more and the team played better and we got two wins.”

WHO NEEDS OPEN ICE?

McClellan scored his first two goals of the season Sunday. Admittedly, he had two easier chances to do that Saturday against Amarillo, but didn’t score on either of his two breakaways.

“I guess maybe a little redemption (Sunday). I was joking with the guys if you see me breaking, dump it in the corner for me,” McClellan said. “But, I don’t know. I’m usually really confident when it comes to breakaways. For some reason, it was one of those days Saturday. Things weren’t going in for me. But Sunday turned out to be a really good day.”

UP NEXT

The Bees play host to Missouri on Friday and Saturday. Missouri, in its first year, is tied with Wichita for the fewest points in the league at four.

Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.