CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles Week In Review

Published on April 20, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


Tuesday, April 14; Backstrom Inducted into Colo. Sports HOF

DENVER, Colo. - Colorado Eagles Founder Ralph Backstrom will be inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame this evening in a ceremony at the Denver Marriott City Center. Backstrom is one of six inductees in the 45th annual banquet; also being inducted are Sonny Lubick, Rod Smith, Jerry McMorris, Lt. Col. John Mosley and Laurice "Lo" Hunter.

In addition to founding the Colorado Eagles and acting as President and General Manager through the 2006-07 season, Backstrom -- a six-time Stanley Cup champion and the 1959 NHL Rookie of the Year -- was also the Head Coach of the University of Denver Pioneers from 1981-1990, winning the Spencer Penrose award as the NCAA Division 1 National Coach of the Year in 1986. The Kirkland Lake, Ontario native also served as the DU assistant coach from 1977-1980.

The Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League have established an incredible tradition of excellence in their six seasons of existence, winning the Northwest Division each season, appearing in the Northern Conference Finals five times and making three trips to the Championship round in the past four seasons -- winning the Ray Miron President's Cup twice. They have also been named the CHL's Franchise of the Year twice (2004-05 and 2007-08) and own the minor pro hockey record for consecutive sellouts (currently at 228 including playoffs).

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

2002-2007 President/General Manager, Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League

1999-2002 Special Assignment Scout, St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League

1992-1999 Senior V.P. and Commissioner of Roller Hockey International, Inc.

1990-1992 Head Coach, Phoenix Roadrunners of the International Hockey League

1981-1990 Head Coach, University of Denver of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association

1980-1981 Assistant Coach, Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League

1977-1980 Assistant Coach, University of Denver of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association

1958-1977 Player in the National Hockey League (15 years) and the World Hockey Association (4 years)

MAJOR HONORS RECEIVED

Memorial Cup Championship with Ottawa-Hull Junior Canadiens, 1958

Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in the National Hockey League, 1959

Six Stanley Cup Championships with the Montreal Canadiens: 1959, 1960, 1965, 1966, 1968 and 1969

Four World Hockey Association All-Star Game Appearances

Most Valuable Player for Team Canada in the Canada Cup Series vs. the Soviet Union, 1974

NCAA Division 1, National Coach of the Year, 1986 (Spencer Penrose Award)

President/GM, Presidents Cup Champion Colorado Eagles in the Central Hockey League, 2005 & 2007

Elected to the Colorado Sports Hall Of Fame in October, 2008 & inducted in April, 2009

Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Mission Statement

To honor, by public acknowledgement or commemoration, those individuals who merit recognition and distinction for their exploits, accomplishments and leadership in sports and athletic endeavors in the state of Colorado. Equally, to build and make available programs and support for youth in our state, and to cultivate character and citizenship as participants grow toward leadership in our state and throughout the nation.

Wednesday, April 15; Eagles Donate 10K to Veterans Plaza Construction

LOVELAND, Colo. - During the second intermission of tonight's Northern Conference Finals playoff game against the Mississippi RiverKings, the Colorado Eagles Foundation, a part of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, presented a check for $10,000 to Fort Collins City Manager Darin Atteberry toward the construction of the Veterans Plaza at Spring Canyon Community Park in Fort Collins.

Nine-thousand of the $10,000 total was raised through a special military jersey auction held at the Eagles' annual Military Appreciation Night game on Nov. 11, 2008. For that game, held on Veterans Day, Eagles season ticket holders and sponsors donated over 1,500 of their own tickets to be redistributed to military members, both past and present, in an effort to fill the Budweiser Events Center will military personnel and their families.

The Veterans Plaza at Spring Canyon Community Park is a project under construction with the goal of recognizing past, present and future military members in Larimer County and all of Northern Colorado. For more information, or to donate yourself, please visit their Web site at FortCollinsVeteransPlaza.org.

Wednesday, April 15; Catch Chris Stewart on 107.9 The Bear!

Fans,

Every Wednesday you can catch Colorado Eagles President & General Manager Chris Stewart on 107.9 The Bear during the 3 o-clock hour. Be sure to tune in and find out the latest news regarding your Colorado Eagles straight from the top of the organization.

Wednesday, April 15; Eagles Win Third Overtime Game in a Row

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles came back from a two goal deficit after two periods of play to defeat the Mississippi RiverKings, 3-2, in overtime to take Game 1 of the Northern Conference Finals. The comeback win was the Eagles' third in five games so far in the Ray Miron President's Cup playoffs and was made possible by Andrew Penner's strong play in net (43 saves), some stellar penalty-killing (8-9) and Ryan Tobler's two-goal third period.

Both netminders made some strong saves in the opening minutes of a hard-hitting first period before Mississippi scored the opening goal at 12:18. Bobby Chaumont, the RiverKings' leading scorer, converted on the 'Kings second of five first period power plays with a shot from high in the left circle through a maze of bodies in front of Penner. The power-play goal was the first allowed by Colorado at home in the postseason.

The RiverKings ended the second period up 2-0 after controlling the second period with a 20-7 edge in shots, helped by a 4-0 edge in power plays. Penner and the Eagles' penalty killers were stellar throughout the frame, with the only blemish coming at 5:22 when Garrett Larson fed a crashing Martin Gascon from behind the net for the period's only score. The goal came just after Penner squeezed an Adam Smyth shot under his right arm off a 2-on-1 'Kings breakaway.

The Eagles got their first of seven second period shots nine minutes and 16 seconds into the period before making the most of their few opportunities over the next 11 minutes, but they couldn't solve the 'Kings goalie. Their best chance came 12 and a half minutes in when Kevin Beech made a fantastic save on Kevin Ulanski's shorthanded breakaway by falling back and laying his stick along the ice.

The Eagles -- left to fly freely out of the penalty box in a penalty-free third period -- dominated the frame, outshooting Mississippi 18-10 and tying the game late to force overtime. Colorado's chances came early (and often) as Beech stopped Konrad Reeder on a rush just 60 seconds in and Ed McGrane tapped the rebound into the net, but the goal was waived off as the whistle had blown to freeze the puck.

Colorado kept coming, however, and Tobler finally beat the RiverKings' goaltender at 15:20 with a shot over a diving defenseman from the left circle to cut Mississippi's lead in half. Then, with just one minute and 45 seconds left in the period, a body check at center ice sprung an odd-man rush into the Mississippi zone and Ulanski fed Tobler at the left side of the crease for his second consecutive goal to tie the game.

The overtime period featured constant back-and-forth action and McGrane was the first player to get the puck past one of the CHL's premier goaltenders. The Eagles' leading goal-scorer in the playoffs got his fifth goal in as many games and his first game-winner at 6:43 after taking the puck hard to the net down the left wing and chipping a shot over Beech.

Thursday, April 16; Eagles Add Amateur DaCosta to Roster

WINDSOR, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles announced today that they have signed amateur defenseman Justin DaCosta. Each team in the Central Hockey League is allowed to carry two amateur players on their playoff roster.

"DaCosta is a quality amateur player who will bring depth to our defensive corps," said Eagles President and General Manager Chris Stewart. "We've always believed in having a deep roster -- especially in the playoffs -- and his signing helps us in that regard."

DaCosta, a 5-foot-10-inch, 190-pound defenseman, spent his past two seasons at the University of New Brunswick, tallying 38 points (14-24-38) and 34 penalty minutes in 54 games.

Prior to that, the right handed-shooting defenseman played four seasons in the OHL, split among three different teams (Barrie Colts, Owen Sound Attack and Mississauga IceDogs). In 212 OHL games, he registered 83 points (18-65-83) and 181 PIMs.

At each level, his point production has improved every season. In 2005-06, with the Mississauga IceDogs of the OHL, DaCosta registered 42 points (10-32-42) and 98 PIMs in 57 games. This past season -- his second in the CIS -- he registered 22 points (8-14-22) and 10 PIMs in 26 games.

DaCosta, who will wear number 26 for Colorado, was named to the 2006-07 AUS All-Rookie Team and comes to the Eagles with a reputation as a strong shootout scorer.

Friday, April 17; Eagles, Penner A Perfect 6-For-6 in Playoffs

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles took a 2-0 series lead over the Mississippi RiverKings in the Northern Conference Finals with a 4-1 victory. The Governors' Cup champs are now a perfect 6-0 in the Ray Miron President's Cup playoffs, setting a new franchise record for consecutive playoff wins.

Mississippi dominated the first half of the opening period, out-shooting Colorado nine to four and 14 to seven in the frame, but Andrew Penner was absolutely brilliant in net and it was the Eagles who took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. Both Colorado goals in the opening stanza would get unofficial assists from the RiverKings as both were last touched by Mississippi players.

Konrad Reeder made it 1-0 at 8:10 with the Eagles' third shot of the game after Ed McGrane did a nice job entering the offensive zone. The puck made its way to Jason Beatty, who passed to Scott Polaski, who made a slap-pass to Reeder below the left circle. Reeder's shot was kicked aside by Kevin Beech, but kicked in by his own teammate to give the Eagles the opening tally. Then at 15:27, working just their second power play of the series, Aaron Schneekloth's shot from the left point was deflected in front by Mississippi's Andrew Lackner to make it 2-0 for the home team.

The second period saw more of the same as Mississippi out-shot Colorado 15-6 and had a 3-1 edge in power plays. But Penner continued to star in net for the Eagles, and when he wasn't stonewalling the RiverKings they were barely missing on their chances.

The Eagles broke the game open in the third, out-shooting the RiverKings 16-10 and expanding their lead to 4-0 with a pair of goals just 18 seconds apart. Reeder set up the first of those at 6:43 when he blew by the entire Mississippi team down the left wing on a power play and sent a soft backhand pass into the low slot for Ryan Tobler (the CHL's leading power-play goal scorer in the regular season) to knock home for his second power-play tally of the playoffs.

Riley Nelson made the second successive score possible with an unassisted play when he stole the puck in the RiverKings' zone and snapped a shot past Beech from the left circle to make it 4-0 for the home squad.

The RiverKings' were able to ruin Penner's shutout bid with a 4-on-4 goal at 15:32 when Garrett Larson sent a cross-ice feed from the right wing to Joe Markusen at the left hash marks where the defenseman beat the Eagles' netminder moving left to right. Penner stopped 38 of 39 shots in the game to earn the first star.

The two teams will now head to Southaven, Mississippi for Games 3, 4 and, if necessary, 5 on April 21, 23 and 24 respectively. Games 6 and 7, if necessary, would be back at the Budweiser Events Center on April 26 and 27.

The Week Ahead

Tuesday, April 21 & Thursday, April 23; Games 3 & 4 of the Northern Conference Finals

The Eagles will look to stay perfect in the playoffs as they take their 6-0 record on the road to the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi to continue the Northern Conference Finals against the Mississippi RiverKings. Colorado took the first two games of the 2-3-2 format on home ice and will attempt to advance to their fourth Ray Miron President's Cup championships -- and third in a row -- by picking up a pair of victories on the road this week.

*If Necessary* - Friday, April 24 & Sunday, April 26; Games 5 & 6 of the Northern Conference Finals

If the RiverKings win either Game 3 or 4, a Game 5 would take place in Mississippi on Friday. And if Colorado doesn't get two wins on the road, the series will return to Loveland for a Game 6 on Sunday. If it came down to it, a series-deciding Game 7 would take place on Monday, April 27 at the BEC.

Notable Numbers

OUR OWN OUTSTANDING GOALTENDER - Colorado netminder Andrew Penner has stopped 81 of 84 shots so far in the Northern Conference Finals for a save percentage of .964 -- a mark that is even better than his playoff-leading percentage of .942. Moreover, his goal-against average of 2.24 is second-best in the playoffs, as are his six wins (in six games).

LET'S TALK ABOUT SIX, BABY - The Colorado Eagles are a perfect 6-0 in the Ray Miron President's Cup playoffs, setting a new franchise record for consecutive playoff wins. Colorado is 4-0 inside the Budweiser Events Center, with their other 2 wins coming in the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, La. during their opening round sweep of the Mudbugs.

WE'VE GOT MORE THAN ONE "KILLER" - The Eagles lead the league in penalty killing at a fantastic 91.7% (33-36), going an even better 24-25 (96%) at home through four playoff games. Remarkably, they killed eight of nine Mississippi power plays in Game 1 of the Northern Conference Finals -- allowing their first and only power-play goal of the playoffs on home ice -- and then went a perfect nine-for-nine in Game 2.

POTENT WHEN GIVEN THE CHANCE - Colorado's power play hasn't been too shabby either, leading the playoffs with a conversion rate of 33.33% (twice as good as the second-best remaining team, Texas at 16.7%). The Eagles' power play proficiency must have other teams on their best behavior because, of the four teams remaining in the playoffs, the Eagles have only received 27 power play chances (4.5/game) -- compared to Mississippi (51, 6.4/game), Texas (60, 6.7/game) and Odessa (75, 6.8/game).

MAKING A POINT TO MAKE A POINT - With a point in every game this playoff season, Eagles forward Ed McGrane has notched a point in every game dating back to Feb. 7 of the regular season. If statistics carried over into the playoffs, that would give McGrane a 26 game point streak totaling 37 points (15-22-37). His 20-game streak to end the regular season was the longest in franchise history and the longest in the CHL in 2008-09.

LATE BLOOMERS - Of the Eagles' six wins, three have come via comebacks and three have come in overtime. It's no coincidence then, that the third period would be their strongest statistically. Colorado's +6 goal differential in the third is not only their best, but the best in the league. Furthermore, the third period is the only period in which they out-shoot their opponents as their 85 shots make their 50 in the first and 55 in the second pail in comparison. The Eagles' shots-for and shots-against in the third period through the first two games of the Northern Conference Finals: 65-20.

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from April 20, 2009


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