CHL Colorado Eagles

Allen Tops Colorado, 5-3, In Weekend Split

Published on November 15, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LOVELAND, Colo. - The Allen Americans earned a split of their weekend series against the Colorado Eagles with a 5-3 victory. Bruce Graham (four points) and Justin Bowers (three points) carried the offensive load for the expansion club and Chris Whitley stopped 23 of 26 shots in net, although he was rarely tested seriously.

The first half of the opening period was tightly played before the two teams combined for five goals in the final 10:05. Riley Nelson got the first goal after Kevin Ulanski's shot from the point banged off an Allen player and then Nelson before ending up behind the Allen goalkeeper.

Americans' Captain Jerret Lukin got that goal back with a power-play marker from between the hashes. The puck ended up on his stick in the high slot and he calmly walked in -- while Adam Hogg sprawled to the ice to take away the low shot -- before beating Mike Mole high on the glove side at 12:43.

Colorado regained the lead with a pair of power-play goals by Ed McGrane and Kevin Ulanski 40 seconds apart about four minutes later. But Allen cut the Eagles' lead to 3-2 at 18:41 when Ryan Fairbarn beat Mole high on the glove side from the high slot again.

The Americans dominated the second period, out-shooting the Eagles 12-5 (Colorado didn't register their first shot on goal until 10 minutes had passed) and scoring the lone goal. Bowers tied the game at 3 with Allen's second power-play goal of the game when Graham found him with a back door pass from low in the right circle.

Colorado appeared to turn to the tables in the third as Allen didn't register their first shot of the period until eight minutes in -- even with the advantage of two full power plays. But the Americans got the game-winner at 15:58 with a pair of quick passes off the left wing boards to Tobias Whelan stationed on the doorstep.

Graham added an empty-netter on the power play (Allen's third of the period) to account for the 5-3 final score and the split of back-to-back games. Colorado will play its next three games against the Rapid City Rush, with the next two on the road (Tuesday and Friday).

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 15, 2009


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