CHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado Eagles Week In Review

Published on January 11, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


Week in Review

Tuesday, January 5; Kid's Haven Baby Races Set for Jan. 20th

Ready, set, crawl!

Does your child have what it takes to be a diaper derby champion? The Kid's Haven Baby Race is your chance to prove it during the first intermission of the Eagles' home game against the Laredo Bucks on Jan. 20, 2010.

The rules are simple: If your baby is between seven and 12 months old and still crawling, you are eligible to participate. If your child is one of the first three contestants to cross the finish line, Kid's Haven - the official daycare/preschool provider of the Colorado Eagles - will be awarding prizes, with the first place winner receiving a FREE WEEK of daycare at Kid's Haven (up to an $180 dollar value).

To enter, simply submit a photo of your baby with their age, height, weight and birth date to info@coloradoeagles.com. Or you can visit the Guest Services booth on or before the deadline of Jan. 17, 2010 and wait and see if you are selected. A registration form can be downloaded here.

Eight contestants (seven-12 months old) will be chose to participate, and each family will receive two FREE TICKETS to the Jan. 20 game (discounted tickets are available for additional family members) along with a gift bag from Kid's Haven. Families who enter but are not selected will receive a complimentary gift of having their daycare registration fee waved (a $50 dollar value).

To get a better idea of how it will work, check out last year's race at http://tinyurl.com/BabyRaces2

Tuesday, January 5; Ulanski Moved Into All-Star Starting Lineup

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Central Hockey League announced today that Colorado Eagles forward Kevin Ulanski will move into the starting lineup for next Wednesday's All-Star Game in Laredo, Texas. The league's leading scorer was previously named to the team as a reserve, but will open the game on the ice in place of Tulsa's Rob Hisey who is currently playing in the American Hockey League. The Oiler's new representative in the midseason showcase will be TJ Craig.

Ulanski is one of four Eagles to earn a spot on the All-Star team and will join linemate Riley Nelson and defenseman Aaron Schneekloth as starters. Head Coach Kevin McClelland will be coaching the All-Star squad against the host team comprised of the CHL's three Southern Texas teams (Corpus Christi, Laredo and Rio Grande Valley). The Eagles' bench boss earned the All-Star honor by coaching the team with the highest winning percentage in the league at the cutoff date.

Not counting last season, when the Eagles took on a team of CHL All-Stars, this will be the second-year CHL player's first All-Star selection. Ulanski was named one of three forwards on the All-CHL Team last season, and was voted the league's "Best Defensive Forward" by his peers. He is currently the league's top scorer with 48 points (18-30-48) in 29 games.

Tuesday, January 5; Equipment Manager Tony Deynzer an All-Star

(LEAGUE RELEASE - Tempe, Arizona) - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today the training staffs for the 2010 CHL All-Star Game scheduled for Wednesday, January 13, 2010 in Laredo, Texas at the Laredo Entertainment Center. This years format features an all-star team representing South Texas (comprised of players from Laredo, Corpus Christi and Rio Grande Valley) taking on a team of CHL All-Stars (comprised of players from the remaining 12 teams). Representing the home team South Texas squad will be athletic trainer Bobby Moore and equipment manager Matt Brayfield, both of the host Laredo Bucks, and working for the CHL All-Star team will be athletic trainer Osama Kassab of the Rapid City Rush and co-equipment managers Steve Enlow of the Tulsa Oilers and Tony Deynzer of the Colorado Eagles.

Moore has served the past eight seasons with the Bucks with this being his fourth all-star appearance. The San Marcos, Texas native was voted by his peers as the 2006 CHL Athletic Trainer of the Year. Moore has won two CHL Championship rings with Laredo (2004, 2006). Brayfield is in his second season with the Bucks after working in the Dallas Stars training camp in 2008. The Sherwood, Illinois native has also worked in the American Hockey League and Southern Professional Hockey League.

Kassab was the 2009 CHL Athletic Trainer of the Year and this will be his second all-star appearance (2008). Deynzer has been in the sport of hockey for nearly 15 years and has worked for the Eagles since their inception in 2003. He has been with the team for both CHL Championships (2005, 2007).

Enlow was the very first recipient of the CHL Equipment Manager of the Year in 2006 and has been working in the CHL with the Oilers for 17 seasons. In all, 28 of his 30 seasons working in hockey have been in Tulsa. He also worked in the NHL with the Colorado Rockies (now the New Jersey Devils) and in honor of his work for the Oilers, the team named their locker room after him at the BOK Center.

Tuesday, January 6; Eagles, Altitude Add Rapid City Rematch to TV Slate

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles, along with Altitude Sports & Entertainment announced today that they have added a game to their previously announced TV schedule. The Eagles' game against the Rapid City Rush that was postponed due to inclement weather on Dec. 26 and re-scheduled for Feb. 28 will now air live at 7 p.m. The addition of this game will allow many who were in town for the holidays the chance to still see the game if they live within Altitude's 10-state broadcast region (available through Comcast Cable, DirecTV, Dish Network and other cable systems).

The Eagles have three remaining regular season games scheduled for broadcast on Altitude: Friday, January 15 - vs. Bossier-Shreveport, Wednesday, February 24 - vs. Amarillo and Sunday, February 28 - vs. Rapid City.

Altitude's Norm Jones and Mark Rycroft will handle the play-by-play and color commentary duties for Eagles games televised on Altitude, while Lauren Gardner will handle the ice-side reporting. Kevin McGlue (The Voice of the Eagles) and Ryan Bach (the Eagles' goaltending coach) will handle the play-by-play and color duties on the radio home of the Eagles, 107.9 The Bear.

About Altitude

Seen in more than 3 million homes in a 10 state territory, Altitude is the television home of the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Mammoth, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Eagles, the Big Sky Conference, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, ESPN Syndication (including Big 12 Conference and Western Athletic Conference events), as well as other local and regional sports, entertainment and public service programming. A full list of Altitude programming and other information can be found at www.altitude.tv.

Wednesday, January 6; Penga-wicz Pick-up Extended Through Jan. 16

Wendy's Kids Club Members,

If you haven't already picked up your Penga-wicz dolls, we want to let you know that we've extended pick-up through Saturday, January 16th.

You can pick up your "Penga-wicz" Plush Penguin doll at the January 15th home game in the Main Lobby of the Budweiser Events Center from 6-7 p.m. or at the January 16th home game at the Guest Services booth. Or, if it's more convenient, you can stop by the Eagles' office during normal business hours (1625 Pelican Lakes Point, Suite 100, Windsor, Colorado, 80550).

NOT A KIDS CLUB MEMBER YET, BUT WANT A GREG PENGA-WICZ DOLL???

It's not too late to join the Wendy's Colorado Eagles Kids Club! The cost to join is ONLY $10 for new members and ONLY $6 for season ticket holders or returning members.

2009-10 Membership includes: Kids Club T-Shirt, Jersey Drawstring Bag, Eagles Country Coloring Sheet and Crayons, Water Bottle, Fun Book (to arrive later), Exclusive Access to Chuck-A-Puck Cleanup with your very own ID card, Greg Penga-wicz Plush Doll and Birthday Card from Wendy's and the Eagles!

Additional Penga-wiczs can be purchased for $15 each through the Eagles Merchandise stand at games - quantities are extremely limited.

QUESTIONS? Contact Frances in the Eagles office:

By Phone - 970-674-1743

By Email - info@coloradoeagles.com

Thursday, January 7; January NoCo Show Debuts Sunday

Fans,

The January edition of the Colorado Eagles NoCo Hockey Show debuts Sunday on Altitude Sports & Entertainment. The half-hour monthly show enters its third season of bringing you the best in Eagles off-ice entertainment. The Voice of the Eagles, Kevin McGlue, hosts the show that gives fans an inside look at the team on and off the ice with a mix of humorous segments, behind-the-scenes features, interviews and hockey highlights.

On this month's show: Lauren Gardner and Mike Mole take you on the ice as the Eagles teamed up with the NoCo Ice Center to conduct a very special "Learn-to-Skate" program, Ed McGrane follows in his father's footsteps as he tries his hand in the first installment of "Don't Quit Your Day Job" - Fireman edition, the Penner brothers team up in the funniest edition yet of the "Plus/Minus" game show and Lauren Gardner tests some new Eagles' I.Q.'s in "The Lightning Round."

You can get a sneak peak at the segments on the Colorado Eagles YouTube Channel.

Below is a full list of this month's airings:

Sunday, Jan. 10: 1:30 a.m.

Sunday, Jan. 10: 10 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 12: 4:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 15: 1:30 a.m.

Friday, Jan. 15: 7:30 a.m.

Friday, Jan. 15: 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 16: 11:30 a.m.

Monday, Jan. 18: 2:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 19: 7:30 p.m. (Altitude 2)

Wednesday, Jan. 20: 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 21: 2:30 a.m.

Sunday, Jan. 24: 10:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 29: 5 p.m.

Be sure to check your local listings for Altitude Sports & Entertainment and additional Colorado Eagles hockey coverage!

Tickets for all of this season's games are on sale now and can be purchased at the Budweiser Events Center box office, www.ComcastTix.com, 1-877-544-TIXX (8499), the Eagles Office in Water Valley or through any ComcastTIX Outlet.

Thursday, January 7; Register Now for Jr. Chicks Dance Clinics

Hey Kids!

Would you like to perform with the Pioneer Press Eagles Chicks?!?!

The Eagles Chicks will be holding their annual Jr. Eagles Chicks Dance Clinics during the month of February, and they're looking for dancers from Kindergarten thru 6th grade.

Clinics will be held in Fort Collins at Inertia Performing Arts (4637 S. Mason St.) on February 13th, 20th, and 27th. In addition to clinic sessions, the Jr. Chicks will get to perform at the Budweiser Events Center during an Eagles game on either February 24th or March 3rd.

For just $95, Jr. Chicks get instruction from the Pioneer Press Colorado Eagles Chicks at Inertia Performing Arts, a performance during a Colorado Eagles game, a uniform top, a set of pom-poms, a commemorative photo with the Eagles Chicks and a DVD of the on-ice performance!

For more information, please contact Lisa Kennedy (Eagles Chicks Manager) at eagleschicks@comcast.net.

Friday, January 8; Eagles Come From Behind but Lose in SO

LAREDO, Texas - The Colorado Eagles lost in a shootout to the Laredo Bucks, 6-5, taking a point out of a loss for the second game in a row. The Eagles found themselves down early as the Bucks scored four power-play goals in the first period -- all five of their regulation goals came on the man-advantage -- but Colorado battled back to force overtime with a last-minute score, just as the Brahmas had done to them in their previous game.

Also for the second game in a row, the Eagles had an early goal waved off by a premature whistle from the referee. Making matters worse for the short-benched road team, the Eagles were called for seven penalties in the opening frame, leading the way for Laredo to capitalize with four power-play goals. The Bucks got the opening goal when Colorado netminder Mike Mole was unable to stop the puck off a shot from Robin Richards. Jeff Bes would then put the Bucks up by two when he beat Mole once again on the power play.

Laredo made it 3-0 with a five-on-three score by Todd Griffith from the low slot at 11:35. Andrew Penner then replaced Mole who had given up three goals on eight shots. The Eagles would finally get on the board when Steve Haddon beat netminder Kyle Gajewski off a Riley Nelson feed, narrowing the Bucks' lead to two. But Colorado continued to take penalties, and Laredo continued to make them pay, as Jared Mohr beat Penner on another power play with a shot off the crossbar that bounced behind the Eagles' goalie.

Colorado would prove resilient, however, out-shooting the Bucks by a total of 30-11 through the rest of regulation. The Eagles were the only team to score in the second period, cutting Laredo's lead in half, when the power plays began to go in their favor. Aaron Schneekloth scored a 5-on-3 tally at 12:16 off assists from Jim Jackson and Kevin Ulanski.

The Eagles continued to come at the Bucks hard in the third period and got an early goal from their captain just 41 seconds in. Colorado continued to put pressure on the Bucks net by creating scoring chances, but another penalty would give Laredo their fifth power-play goal of the game. Colorado countered when Haddon picked up the Eagles' second power-play tally of the night to cut the Bucks' lead to one once more.

Griffith had a chance to restore Laredo's two-goal cushion when he was granted a penalty shot minutes later, but he was stonewalled by Penner to keep the Eagles within reach. After failing to score on late power play chances -- including some 5-on-3 time -- Colorado pulled Penner for an extra attacker in the final minute of regulation. The move paid off as Nelson notched his second score of the period with just 18.3 seconds left to force overtime and earn the Eagles a hard-fought point.

In the extra period, both goaltenders came up with quality saves to send the game into a shootout. In the shootout, Griffith would get another chance to beat Penner one-on-one, and this time, he made good, netting the goal that solidified the win as Laredo's fifth shooter.

Saturday, January 9; Bees Score Three in Third for 3-2 Win

HIDALGO, Texas - The Colorado Eagles fell, 3-2, to the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees after their expansion siblings scored three unanswered goals in the final frame. Colorado took a 2-0 lead into the third period, but two quick scores put the momentum in the home team's hands as they picked up their first ever win against the Eagles.

Colorado carried much of the play in the opening period and out-shot the Killer Bees 15-9. But Andy Franck was superb in net for the home team and the two clubs entered the first intermission scoreless.

The Eagles finally broke through with a pair of goals in the first part of the second period before Andrew Penner took over the period's second half. Steve Haddon picked up his third goal in two games with a power-play marker at 5:51 off a Kevin Ulanski rebound in front.

Then, just under five minutes later, Haddon and Ulanski were sprung on a 2-on-1 break by Jason Beatty and Haddon found the league's leading scorer with a cross-slot pass to make it 2-0 for the Eagles. Penner then took over, stopping several outstanding scoring chances for Rio Grande Valley, on the way to turning away all 22 of their shots in the period -- the third-most saves all-time in a single period for a Colorado goalie.

It didn't take long for momentum to swing in the third period as the 'Bees found the back of the net with their first two shots to even the score. Aaron Lee finally got a puck past Penner just 33 seconds into the frame by converting a 2-on-1 rush. And just over three minutes later, Topher Scott made it 2-all when the puck knuckeballed and bounced over Penner's leg pad. Brett Clouthier got the game-winner when he was able to chip home a loose puck from the doorstep at 11:47.

Colorado finished its five-game road trip with a record of 1-2-2 and will play its next game at home on Friday, Jan. 15 against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. The 2010 CHL All-Star game will take place on Wednesday in Laredo, Texas.

The Week Ahead

Friday, January 15 & Saturday, January 16; Mudbugs Visit BEC for Weekend Set

The Eagles come off the All-Star break and return home for the first time since December 27th looking for a win against the Mudbugs. Colorado is on a four game winless streak (0-2-2) as Bossier-Shreveport comes to the Budweiser Events Center for the first meeting between the two teams this season. After this weekend's set, the teams will meet just one more time this month (in Bossier City on the 30th). The ' Bugs enter the week in third place in the Northern Conference, just six points behind Colorado (45-39).

Notable Numbers

AT THE BREAK - At the All-Star break, the Eagles can claim several top spots both as a team and as individuals. Colorado is tied for first in the Northern Conference with 45 points and has the highest goals-per-game average in the CHL (4.32). Kevin Ulanski (52) and Riley Nelson (48) are Nos. 1 & 2 in the league in points. Ulanski is tied for the league-lead in goals (19). Three Eagles are atop the standings in plus/minus Aaron Schneekloth (+24), Nelson (+23) and Ulanski (+19). Also Alex Penner leads the league in penalty minutes (158).

ALL-STAR "BREAK" - The CHL enters its All-Star break this week with the game taking place on Wednesday. For several members of the Eagles, however, the break will mean partaking in the midseason event. Five members of the team will be spending the week in Laredo, as Head Coach Kevin McClelland will be joined by players Riley Nelson, Aaron Schneekloth, Kevin Ulanski and equipment manager Tony Deynzer.

RARE RESULTS - Colorado's 3-2 loss to Rio Grande Valley on Saturday was rare in several ways. It marked the first time the Eagles lost a game this season when leading after two periods (they were a perfect 15-0-0 before blowing their 2-0 lead). It was also their first ever loss to the Killer Bees -- their expansion siblings. In nine previous meetings, Colorado was 9-0-0 against Rio Grande Valley, out-scoring them by a total of 39-14, including 12-4 in four games at the Dodge Arena.

A PAIR OF POINTS - The Eagles are looking to take two points out of a game for the first time in the calendar year (their last victory came Dec. 31 in Missouri). Colorado's currently on a four game winless streak (0-2-2), which ties the franchise's longest ever winless streak (done three other times in six and a half seasons of existence).

THE ORKIN MAN - Andrew Penner is the Eagles' all-time winningest goalie against Bossier-Shreveport, compiling a perfect 3-0 record against them along with a GAA of 1.33 and a SV% of .964 (those numbers where his best against any opponent last season). No other Colorado netminder has more than two wins against the 'Bugs. Penner's next win will make him the franchise's all-time winningest goalie.

SECOND SHOTS - Andrew Penner stopped all 22 of the shots he faced in the second period Saturday night -- the second-most saves by an Eagles' goalie in the second frame in franchise history, and the third-most saves in any period. The second period has been the Eagles' most wide-open all season long; they have had more shots for (386) and against (350) in the middle frame than in any other this season.

CONSTANT CAPTAIN - Colorado Captain Riley Nelson played in his 400th game as an Eagle on Saturday. That milestone brought into focus the fact that Nelson has played in 400 of the franchise's 411 games all-time (97.3%). The team's all-time leading scorer has put up 544 points (218-326-544) in those 400 games.

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics

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



Central Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2010


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