CHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado Eagles week in review

Published on January 26, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


WINDSOR, CO – The Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League (CHL) are 28-10-3 on the 2003-04 season and have 59 points. They are currently in first place in the Northwest Division, in first place in the Northern Conference, and in second place in the league overall.

For tickets to Colorado Eagles home games call (877) 544-TIXX, visit ComcastTix.com (access to ComcastTix.com is also available through the Colorado Eagles website, www.coloradoeagles.com), or purchase tickets at the Budweiser Events Center box office or the box office at Fort Fun in Fort Collins.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Fri. Jan. 23 3-2 SO Loss vs. Bossier-Shreveport Top Star: BOS- Trevor Buchanan (one goal, one assist)

Sat. Jan. 24 4-1 Win vs. Bossier-Shreveport Top Star: COL- Ryan Tobler (one goal, one assist)

MAJOR/ MINOR

Tensions were extremely high between Colorado and Bossier-Shreveport, especially following Friday night's shootout. Saturday's televised game was riddled with penalties, a combined total of 136 penalties in minutes were served. Five majors away from breaking the record of most penalty minutes served at the Budweiser Events Center (a combined total of 161 PIM'S were served when Oklahoma City played at the Bud Barn, October 29, 2003)

WEEK AHEAD

Thurs. Jan. 29 6:05 p.m. (MST) @ Lubbock Cotton Kings

Notes: The Colorado Eagles have faced off against the Lubbock Cotton Kings three times this season for a 3-0-0 record; November 17 in Lubbock the Eagles defeated the Cotton Kings, 3-1; at the Budweiser Events Center, November 19, the Eagles took it to the Cotton Kings, 7-2; January 7 at the Bud Barn, Colorado was victorious again, 6-1. As of January 26, the Cotton Kings are 10-14-7 on the season with 27 points and in last place in the Southwest Division and in the league overall.

Fri. Jan. 30 6:35 p.m. (MST) @ Oklahoma City Blazers

Notes: The Colorado Eagles have faced the Blazers four times this season for a 2-1-1 record; October 24 in Oklahoma City, the Blazers defeated the Eagles, 4-1; at the Budweiser Events Center, October 29, the Eagles defeated the Blazers, 4-1; November 9 in Oklahoma City the Eagles lost to the Blazers, 1-0 in a shootout; at the Bud Barn, January 2, the Eagles shutout Oklahoma City, 6-0. As of January 26, the Blazers are tied with New Mexico for second place in the Northwest division with a 21-17-5 record and 47 points.

Sat. Jan. 24 6:30 p.m. (MST) @ Wichita Thunder

Notes: The Colorado Eagles have faced the Thunder five times this season for a 4-1-0 record; November 5 at the Budweiser Events Center the Eagles defeated Wichita in a shootout, 6-5; November 8 in Wichita the Eagles were victorious again against the Thunder, 4-3; December 12 at the Budweiser Events Center the Thunder defeated the Eagles, 3-1; December 19 in Wichita Eagles netminder, Gian Baldrica, had his first shutout of this professional career, in a 1-0 Eagles victory; New Year's Eve (December 31) the Eagles defeated the Thunder at the Bud Barn, 3-2. As of January 26, the Thunder are in third place in the Northwest division with a 20-19-4 record and 44 points.

PRACTICE TIMES: The Eagles will practice: 10 A.M. Tues. and Wed. @ Budweiser Events Center

The team will leave after practice Wed. for their road trip.

COACH'S SHOW

The Coach's show will air tonight on 1410 the Zone and will be broadcast from Bennigan's in Fort Collins. Coach's show host, Kevin McGlue along with Eagles play-by-play personality Tori Holt, and Head Coach Chris Stewart will discuss the team's last three games and what's ahead for the Eagles. A couple Eagles players will also be there to offer their commentary.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS:

Due to a three game road trip, there will be no appearances or events this week. Stay tuned for announcements for major events in February.

The Colorado Eagles are currently first in the Northwest Division, first place in the Northern Conference, and in second overall in the Central Hockey League. The Eagles have three players in the league's top ten for points. Eagles left winger Ryan Tobler is third with 63 points, right winger Greg Pankewicz is fifth with 58 points, and center Riley Nelson is tenth in the league with 51 points. Eagles goalie Ryan Bach currently leads the league in minutes in the net (2105:33) and in wins (22). He is fifth in the league for saves with 858. Netminder Gian Baldrica currently has an impressive 1.92 GAA, and is undefeated in his professional career.

LAST WEEK'S GAME SUMMARIES:

January 23– Colorado Eagles vs Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs MUDBUGS 3-2 SO

WINDSOR, CO - The Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League (CHL) suffered a disappointing loss in a shootout to the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at the Budweiser Events Center tonight, 3-2 . The Eagles sold out their twenty-second consecutive home game, 5,211 fans were in attendance. Eagles center Riley Nelson and left winger Mike McGhan each scored a goal in the game. Eagles goaltender Ryan Bach saved 19 of 21 shots. Mudbugs forwards Trevor Buchanan and Ryan Manitowich each netted a goal in the game, while Dan Wildfong netted the game-winner in the shootout. Mudbugs netminder Jeff Blair saved an impressive 33 of 35 shots.

Mudbugs were first to score when Buchanan netted the first goal of the evening thirteen minutes six seconds into the period. He was assisted by forward David Oliver and defenseman Travis Bell. Only two minutes twenty three seconds later Manitowich scored on a scrum in front of the net. Forwards Buchanan and Jason Campbell each earned an assist on the play. Mudbugs goaltender Jeff Blair saved all 8 of the Eagles' shots on net. The period ended with a 2-0 Mudbugs lead.

The Eagles matched the Mudbugs first period with two goals of their own in the second. Colorado's Nelson scored the Eagles' first goal only four minutes thirty five seconds into the period; right winger Greg Pankewicz and left winger Ryan Tobler each recorded an assist. With just under five minutes to play in the period, McGhan scored his eighth goal of the season (15:11). He was assisted by defenseman Aaron Grosul and center Brad Patterson. After two periods, Eagles goaltender Ryan Bach saved 9 of 11 shots on goal, while goaltender Jeff Blair saved 16 of 18 shots for the Mudbugs. The period ended with a 2-2 tie.

The third period began with numerous scoring chances for both teams, but neither team managed to put the puck in the net extending the game to an overtime period.

Overtime remained scoreless forcing a shootout. The Mudbugs scored three straight goals in the shootout to win the game. Wildfong scored the game-winning goal. The Eagles out shot the Mudbugs 35 to 22.

January 24– Colorado Eagles vs Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs EAGLES 4-1

WINDSOR, CO - The Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League (CHL) defeated the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in the at the Budweiser Events Center this afternoon, 4-1. The game was the third televised game of the 2003-04 season. The Eagles sold out their twenty third home game in a row, 5,211 fans were in attendance. Bossier-Shreveport forward Dan Wildfong slipped the puck past Colorado goaltender Ryan Bach for the first goal of the game. Colorado defenseman Igor Bondarev and forwards Daniel Bohac and Ryan Tobler all netted goals in the contest. Center Riley Nelson added an empty net goal in the third period. Eagles goaltender Bach earned his twenty second win of the season, saving 27 of 28 shots. Mudbugs netminder Ken Carroll saved 29 of 32 shots.

The Mudbugs struck first when forward Chad Spurr made a nice pass from behind the net to Wildfong who one-timed the puck past the Eagles Bach (12:04). The play was also assisted by forward Craig Soke. The first period was full of penalties, Colorado's Pankewicz and Mudbugs defenseman Jim Sprott each received game misconducts for fighting. There were a total of eighty four penalty minutes on twenty five penalties in the first period. The shots were even at nine for each team.

It took Colorado just under three minutes to take the lead from the Mudbugs. Defenseman Bondarev scored on a rebound for the Eagles first goal only two minutes twenty eight seconds into the period; he was assisted by center Brad Patterson and left winger Mike McGhan. Only twenty six seconds later, Eagles forward Daniel Bohac scored his seventh goal of the season. Rookie left winger Karlis Zirnis and defenseman Aaron Grosul each tallied an assist on the goal. The Eagles added another goal at 13:46 when Ryan Tobler managed a goal on a power play, and defensemen Brad Williamson and Scott Swanson earned assists. The Eagles out shot the Mudbugs 13 to 7 in the second period.

The pace of play slowed down considerably in the third period, as well as the fighting. There were only a few penalties in the period, and a goal scored on an empty net by Nelson (19:25), assisted by Zirnis and Tobler.

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2004


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