CHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado clips Mudbugs in thriller, 6-4

Published on December 4, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LOVELAND, CO – Two of the Northern Conference's top teams played tonight at the Budweiser Events Center. The Colorado Eagles and Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs embarked on a battle of epic proportions with the Eagles coming out on top, 6-4. The game had a bit of everything, from the most combined goals scored to a coach ejection. Colorado's Greg Pankewicz again led the team, firing 12 shots on goal; he had three points tonight on one goal and two assists. Eagles goaltender Tyler Weiman started in net for the first time in three games and stopped 27 of 31 Mudbugs shots. Colorado, third place in the Northwest Division, improved to 9-3-3 and gained two points on both the Wichita Thunder and the New Mexico Scorpions as both teams lost tonight.

After a disappointing loss to the Mudbugs two nights ago, the Eagles came out firing and Mike Lephart netted his third goal in as many games only 33 seconds into the first period. Kevin Marsh and Sean Robertson assisted on the play. Colorado kept the tilt in the Mudbugs zone and it paid off when Greg Pankewicz, just off his first scoreless game of the season, gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead when he stuffed in his own rebound at the 10:35 mark. The Bugs came back and scored two goals only 1:22 apart from David Oliver and Dan Wildfong to tie the game 2-2 going into the first intermission.

The second period was the most exciting period at the Budweiser Events Center to date. Only 1:26 into the second period, the Mudbugs scored their third unanswered goal of the game and took a 3-2 lead on a goal by Ryan Manitowich. Colorado took a few ensuing penalties much to the dismay of Head Coach Chris Stewart who had finally had enough and was ejected from the game after throwing numerous objects on to the ice. The Eagles responded fashionably as Brad Williamson scored just over two minutes after Stewart's ejection to tie the game, 3-3 going into the third period.

In the final frame, the Bugs again took a one-goal lead after Chris Brassard scored his seventh goal of the season, but that would be the final tally on the board for Bossier-Shreveport. Center Riley Nelson knotted the game at four when he beat Mudbugs goaltender Jeff Blair who saved 44 of the Eagles 50 shots. Minutes later Ryan Tobler completed his Gordie Howe Hat Trick by scoring the Eagles game winning goal with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game. Lee Ruff added the Eagles final punch one minute later for his first goal of the season when he knocked in his own rebound on a rush to the net. The Eagles came out on top and have now won their last four games following a loss.

The Eagles take on the Lubbock Cotton Kings tomorrow night at the Budweiser Events Center. It is the final game of a six-game home stand. Next weekend Colorado travels to New Mexico for a pair of games against the Scorpions.

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from December 4, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central