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CHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado Advances to Conference Finals With 1-0 Shutout

April 4, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Sebastien Laplante got his second shutout of the playoffs and Riley Nelson got the only goal the Eagles would need as Colorado defeated the Youngstown SteelHounds 1-0 in Game Five of the Northern Conference Semi-Finals. Kevin Beech got the nod for the second night in a row - after netting the SteelHounds' only win in the series Thursday night - but his phenomenal play (after stopping 22 of 24 shots last night, Beech stopped 35 of 36) wasn't enough to keep his team's season alive as Laplante stopped all 32 shots he faced.

Both teams skated to a scoreless first period, with the Eagles coming out strong before tailing off in the second half of the frame. Shots were even at eight midway through, but the SteelHounds used two power-plays in the second half of the period to out-shoot Colorado 14-8 at the end of the first. The Eagles also went 0-2 on the man-advantage.

The Eagles took control of the game in the second, out-shooting the SteelHounds 17-9 and registering the game's first and only goal. The tally came courtesy of Riley Nelson on the power play when Beech couldn't freeze the puck through a crowd in front of his net and the Eagles veteran swooped through the slot to back-hand it into a wide-open cage at 9:03. Laplante did his part the rest of the way, shutting the door on Youngstown with numerous big saves.

Beech continued his stellar play in the third, keeping the 'Hounds alive. The Youngstown netminder stopped Greg Pankewicz on two separate breakaways, with his best save of the night coming when he stoned the Eagles' captain on a short-handed breakaway with his left arm along the goal line seven minutes into the third. The Eagles kept the pressure on, out-shooting the SteelHounds 11-9 in the period, and Laplante kept up his own fine work in Colorado's net. Just like in his Game Two shutout, Laplante's best save might have come with under two minutes left - finishing the game just as strong as he had started it.

Colorado will face the winner of the Bossier-Shreveport, Texas series. Tickets for the (Third Round) Northern Conference Finals will go on sale Monday, April 7 at 10 a.m.

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