CHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado Eagles Week In Review

March 15, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


(LEAGUE RELEASE - Tempe, Arizona) - The Central Hockey League announced today that the recipients for the Oakley Central Hockey League Player and Goaltender of the Week for the period ending March 7, 2010 are forward Ed McGrane of the Colorado Eagles and goaltender Kyle McNulty of the Mississippi RiverKings.

McGrane is coming off a week that saw score six goals and add an assist helping his team to a 3-1 record. The Hamilton, Ontario native has 15 goals over his last 12 games and has set a single season career-high with 36 goals by scoring a hat trick in Sunday's win over Wichita. The 5-10, 193-pound forward was a +4 on the week and his 36 goals are currently the second most in the CHL trailing Corpus Christi's Chad Woollard (37 goals).

McNulty was signed by the RiverKings on March 5 after being waived by the Arizona Sundogs. The Wakefiled, Rhode Island native fit in nicely with his new team winning both starts allowing just two goals with a .971 save percentage. McNulty wins the weekly honor for the second time this season after taking the award on January 11 with the Sundogs. The 5-11, 178-pound goalie stopped 35 shots in a 2-1 shootout win at Allen on Saturday night and then followed that up with a 33 save effort in a 5-1 win at Missouri on Sunday.

In recognition of their achievements both McGrane and McNulty will receive a special gift from Oakley.

Oakley CHL Player of the Week Ed McGrane, Colorado Eagles Position: F (Weekly Totals) Games Played: 4 Goals: 6 Assists: 1 Points: 7 Plus/Minus: +4

Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week Kyle McNulty, Mississippi RiverKings Position: G (Weekly Totals) Games Played:2 Record: 2-0-0 GAA: 0.96 Save %: 0.91 Saves: 68 of 70

Tuesday, March 9; Nelson, Eagles Dominate "Best of the Best"

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Central Hockey League released today, the results of their annual "Best of the Best" poll, voted on by those who know the industry...the best -- its own players, coaches and operational staffs. And for the third consecutive season, the Colorado Eagles garnered more honors than any other franchise on the way to setting a new organizational high for first-place winners.

The poll -- which has 46 different categories -- covers not only players, but arenas, fans, in-game entertainment and more. In the 2009-10 edition, the Eagles received a first, second, or third-place ranking in 24 of those categories (52 percent) -- by far the most of any other CHL organization.

The Eagles placed in 24 of the same 46 categories last season as well (a franchise high), but this season the team earned first-place votes in 15 of them, surpassing last year's 11 first-place winners (then, a team record).

The biggest winner was Colorado captain, Riley Nelson, who was voted the CHL's "Best Overall Player" for the second year in a row. Coming in second in the category was the league's leading scorer -- and Nelson's linemate -- Kevin Ulanski. Nelson also was named the league's "Smartest Player," "Best Penalty Killer" (for the second straight season), "Best Leader" and "Most Gentlemanly Player."

Other Eagles players to be voted No. 1 include: Aaron Schneekloth as the "Best Offensive Defenseman" (for the second year in a row), Ed McGrane as the "Best Stickhandler" (for the second year in a row) and Fraser Filipic as the "Best Fighter: Pound-for-Pound" (for the third time).

The Eagles' franchise also received first place rankings in: "Best Training & Equipment Staff" (Tony Deynzer and Chris Porowski), "Toughest Building to Win in" (Budweiser Events Center) for the sixth year in a row, "Best Ice Surface" for the second year in a row, "Best PA Announcer" (Reed Saunders), "Best Press Box," "Best On-Ice Promotions" and "Best Cheerleaders/Dance Team" (The Pioneer Press Eagles Chicks) for the fourth year in a row.

Colorado's overall breakdown of honors includes 15 first-place rankings, eight second-place rankings and three third-place rankings.

Wednesday, March 10; Schedule Time Misprint For ARZ Games

Eagles Fans,

We'd like to inform you that there was a time misprint on our schedules for the final three games of the regular season in Arizona. The game-time is officially 8:05 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time). The time printed on our pocket schedules, magnet schedules and calendars (6:05) is incorrect. We'd also like to remind you that Daylight Savings Time takes place on Sunday, March 14 -- "Spring Forward."

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Wednesday, March 10; Join Our Season Ticket Waiting List

Eagles Fans,

Colorado has made the playoffs for the seventh straight season, and although the schedule hasn't been announced quite yet (it should be in the next week or so), fans on our Season Ticket Waiting List get first dibs at exclusive playoff ticket packages before they go on sale to the general public.

Fans on the Season Ticket Waiting List are the first to be offered season tickets once other tickets free up. As seats become available, we'll contact you with available seating options. In addition, waiting list members receive special offers, packages and other incentives throughout the season -- such as Playoff Ticket Packages.

Don't miss your chance to help the Eagles in their push for another President's Cup!

For questions, contact Ben Peal at (970) 686-SHOT (7468).

Wednesday, March 10; Eagles Storm Into Wichita, Make Noise in 8-1 Win

WICHITA, Kan. - The Colorado Eagles defeated the Wichita Thunder, 8-1, as the two teams met for the third time in a row and the final time this season. The win gave the Eagles a season sweep of the Thunder (8-0-0) and moved then within two points of the Rapid City Rush for the Northern Conference lead.

Similar to last weekend's doubleheader between the two clubs, Colorado controlled play for much of the first period, out-shooting Wichita 17-5 on the way to a 2-1 lead at the first intermission. Brett Lutes got the Eagles on the board first with a great effort at 9:16 when he stole the puck along the right midboards, cut across the goal line and stuffed it past Scott Campbell.

The Thunder tied the game at 1 with a power-play tally at 9:16 when Jason Reese sent a pass from the goal line to the left of the net to Joel Hanson crashing the crease for a tap-in. But under a minute and a half later, Ryan McLeod put Colorado back on top by putting home a Fraser Filipic rebound from the low slot.

Things got even more lopsided in the second period as the Eagles out-shot Wichita 23-4 as part of a five-goal frame (all within seven minutes and 14 seconds). The 23 shots in a single period set a new season high (they would put 50 pucks on net before the game was over, also a season high).

Colorado scored the first of those 7:28 in when Kevin Ulanski sent a pass from low along the left wing boards to Riley Nelson wide open crashing the crease; the assist gave Ulanski 97 points on the season, breaking Greg Pankewicz's franchise record.

Just 11 seconds later, off the ensuing faceoff, Filipic dug the puck out of the right corner and fed Jay Birnie for a one-timer from the slot to make it 4-1. And 21 seconds after that, Mario Joly's point shot was deflected by Lutes on the doorstep, essentially forcing Jason Duda to replace Campbell with former Eagle Ian Keserich eight minutes into the middle frame.

Keserich didn't fair much better as Ulanski made it 6-1 at 12:34 on the Eagles' 15th shots of the period (Wichita had just one at that point), as the first line converted on a tic-tac-toe play in close. And under two minutes later, McLeod netted his second of the game by stealing the puck behind the Thunder net, skating out into the left circle and beating the Wichita goalie.

The Thunder out-shot the Eagles in the third period (13-10), but Colorado was still the only team to get a goal as Andrew Penner -- great all game long -- stopped each shot in the final frame. Ed McGrane netted his 37th of the season (two off the league lead) when his shorthanded shot made its way between Keserich's left arm and body at 15:47 to account for the final score.

Friday, March 12; The March NoCo Show Debuts Sunday

Fans,

The March 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: we interview several Eagles stalwarts to get their thoughts on the fast-approaching playoff season, Ed McGrane tries to shake his groove-thang with the CHL's best dance team -- the Pioneer Press Colorado Eagles Chicks -- in another installment of "Don't Quit Your Day Job," we learn about the Johnson's Corner "Blades For Grades" program and follow "Penner's Pals" through their game-time experience, Jay Birnie and Alex 'Weapon-X' Penner talk about the finer points of fighting and other "dirty" play, and Lauren Gardner quizzes some Eagles fans at the latest Skate-With-The-Eagles event in "The Lightning Round."

You can view previous NoCo Show segments archived on the Colorado Eagles YouTube Channel.

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

Sunday, March 14: 12 p.m. Sunday, March 14: 11 p.m. Monday, March 15: 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 16: 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17: 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 19: 7:30 a.m. Friday, March 19: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 20: 5 p.m. Monday, March 22: 3 p.m. Monday, March 22: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27: 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 29: 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 31: 12:30 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.

Friday, March 12; Deynzer Named Equip. Manager of Year

(LEAGUE RELEASE - Tempe, Arizona) - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today the winners of the 2009-10 Athletic Trainer of the Year and Gunner Garrett Equipment Manager of the Year determined by voting among the equipment managers and athletic trainers from the CHL. Tulsa's Stuart Nichols has been selected the Athletic Trainer of the Year, while Colorado's Tony Deynzer earns the honor of being named the Gunner Garrett Equipment Manager of the Year.

Nichols is in his third stint as the athletic trainer for the Oilers initially joining the team in 1999. He worked the 2003 CHL All-Star Game in Oklahoma City and previously worked a National Hockey League training camp for the Los Angeles Kings. Recently, the University of Arkansas graduate was named the first athletic trainer for the Tulsa Shock of the WNBA which begins play at the BOK Center this summer. Amarillo's Kevin Heise, who serves as the Gorillas athletic trainer and equipment manager, finished second in the voting by just one point.

Deynzer has been with the Eagles since the teams first season (2003) and has been very decorated in his time in the CHL working three CHL All-Star Games (including this season's all-star game in Laredo), four Ray Miron President's Cup Finals and has been a part of two Championship teams. The Peoria, Illinois native has worked in the sport of hockey since 1995 when he was the equipment manager for the Springfield Junior Blues of the North America Hockey League (NAHL). Other stops for Deynzer include his hometown of Peoria, Louisville, Memphis, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Tupelo, Mississippi and St. Charles, Missouri. Finishing second in the voting for the award was Allen's Patrick Stevens, who previously won the award in 2008 with the Rocky Mountain Rage.

The CHL Man of the Year will be announced on Monday, March 15 with the remaining CHL Awards announced throughout the week. The CHL Most Valuable Player recipient will be announced Monday, March 22.

Friday, March 12; Eagles Win 11-6 in Record-Setting Game

LOVELAND, Colo. - Several team records were broken or tied as the Colorado Eagles defeated the Tulsa Oilers, 11-6, in the first of back-to-back games between the two teams. Kevin Ulanski became the first Eagle to reach 100 points and Aaron Schneekloth tied a franchise record with a six-point night (1-5-6) as two of the league's shining stars proved their worth yet again.

Colorado continued its recent offensive barrage by out-shooting Tulsa 23-8 in the opening period as the two teams combined for eight goals in a back-and-forth offensive explosion. The eight combined goals matched a franchise record set earlier this season in Rapid City.

The Eagles came out with a jump in their stride and crisp passes, but were turned away early and often by former Eagle Marco Emond who was strong in net for the Oilers, stopping several solid chances. But at 5:02, the floodgates opened as Colorado scored its first of three power-play goals in the frame (going a perfect 3-for-3).

Ulanski got the opening goal after Riley Nelson entered the zone and dished the puck to Schneekloth, who sent a pass from behind the net to the league's leading scorer for a quick flip over Emond's left shoulder.

But the Oilers countered just 15 seconds later when David Beauregard poked in the rebound from Sean Erickson 's point shot as it sat on the doorstep in front of Andrew Penner. Then, 65 seconds after that, the Eagles went back on top with the first of three straight goals when Schneekloth's shot from the point was deftly deflected by Ryan Tobler in the low slot on the power play.

And just 66 seconds later, Ulanski became the first Eagles player to reach 100 points in a season when his shot from the right circle deflected off of Nelson in front of the Oilers' net. Colorado then made it 4-1 with a shorthanded goal as Ed McGrane made a slick, behind-the-back pass inside the blue line to Ulanski, who worked a give-and-go with Jim Jackson down the slot at 10:51.

At 12:23, Tulsa cut that lead in half again when Adam Bartholomay threw the puck on net from low in the right circle that Marty Standish deflected in. And just over four minutes later, the Oilers made it a one-goal game with a shorthanded marker of their own as Jake Riddle skated unimpeded toward Penner and snapped a shot 5-hole from in close.

But just 32 seconds after that, McGrane scored the Eagles' third power-play marker of the game when he picked up a loose puck in front of Emond and put it past the netminder. The goal not only ended the period's scoring at 5-3, but marked the second game in a row that Colorado put up five goals in a period.

Marty Magers replaced Emond in net to start the second period and didn't fair much better, allowing four goals in the frame. In fact, Schneekloth beat him with the Eagles' first shot of the period -- just 20 seconds in -- on a shot from the left hashes.

And at 5:12, Colorado made it 7-3 when Adam Hogg sent a backhand pass from the top of the right circle to Steve Haddon, who scored from the left dot. Then, just under five minutes later, Mario Joly added another when his shot from the point made its way into the back of the net. At 12:32, Ulanski continued to increase his league-leading point total with Colorado's ninth goal of the night -- and fourth of the period -- from between the circles.

The Oilers out-scored the Eagles 3-2 in the third period, but it was not enough in the offensive affair. Ryan McLeod scored Colorado's 10th goal 2:49 into the frame when he one-timed a loose puck from the left circle for the team's fourth power-play goal of the game.

Tulsa then scored the next three, starting with Troy Riddle sweeping in a loose puck from the left side of the crease for the Oilers' only man-advantage goal on the night. Luke Stauffacher made it 10-5 at 8:30 after he kicked a Beauregard rebound to his tape at the side of the net. That goal set a new Colorado franchise record for combined goals in a game at 15.

But the scoring wasn't over as Sean Erickson put home the Oilers' final goal of the night at 15:50. McGrane capped it all off by scoring on a breakaway at 17:31, after a tic-tac-toe play vertically through the neutral zone sent him in on Magers. The goal was his 39th of the season, tying him for the CHL lead in goals. The score also set a new franchise record for most goals in a game with 11.

The Eagles ended the night just one point behind the Rapid City Rush in the Northern Conference as their rival lost in overtime. The win also guaranteed that Colorado will finish no lower than second place in the North.

Saturday, March 13; Eagles Win, 5-1, in Final Home Game of Regular Season

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles celebrated their regular season home finale with a 5-1 win over the Tulsa Oilers, as the two teams met for the second time in as many nights. Ed McGrane continued his scorching pace as he scored two more goals -- including the game-winner -- to take over the league lead in that category. The win helped Colorado keep pace with the Rapid City Rush, who also won, to maintain their one-point lead in the Northern conference.

In stark contrast to their game the night before, the Eagles and Oilers combined for just a single score in the opening period. Steve Haddon got the home team on the board at 3:53 when he picked up a bouncing puck at the right hashmarks and slid the disc inside the far post for the opening tally.

Colorado out-scored Tulsa 4-1 in the second, netting the first four of the frame before the Oilers finally got on the board. McGrane, stationed at the left side of the crease, knocked in a Kevin Ulanski pass for a power-play goal 3:08 in. The goal moved McGrane into the league lead in goals with 40.

Adam Hogg made it 3-0 midway through after Fraser Filipic's shot from the point sailed over the crossbar and bounced back to Hogg at the goal line to the left of the net. Just 18 seconds later, Jason Beatty added another with a blast from the left point that made its way through a maze of legs and past former Eagle Marco Emond.

And only 29 seconds after that, McGrane added to his league lead in goals as he converted on a shorthanded, 3-on-1 rush, to make it 5-1. That goal got Emond pulled from between the pipes for the second night in a row.

Tulsa finally got on the board 50 seconds later when they scored on the power play. On the play, Adam Bartholomay's shot tipped off of Mike Mole's glove and the rebound was put home by Luke Stauffacher from the doorstep; it was his fourth game in a row with a goal.

The third period saw plenty of action in the way of fisticuffs, but no scoring, and the Eagles ended their home schedule with a 24-7-1 record. Colorado will now hit the road for three games against the Arizona Sundogs to end the regular season.

The Week Ahead

Wednesday, March 17, Friday, March 19 & Saturday, March 20; Eagles Close Out Regular Season With Three Road Games Against Sundogs Colorado will wrap-up the 2009-10 regular season with three road games in Arizona where they are 2-0-0 so far this season. The Eagles enter the final week of the season one point behind the Rapid City Rush (who have one game in hand) for the Northern Conference crown. Arizona ranks seventh out of eight teams in the Southern Conference with a record of 23-32-6, and will miss the playoffs for the second year in a row after sweeping the Eagles in the President's Cup Finals in 2008.

Notable Numbers

FINISHING STRONG - The Eagles have won five games in a row (the longest current winning streak in the league) and six of seven in the month of March. The ended their home schedule with a perfect 5-0-0 record in March, giving them more wins this month at home than in any other month this season.

DOMINATING THE DOGS - The Eagles are 3-1-0 against the Sundogs this season, including 2-0-0 on the road where they've out-scored Arizona 10-3. All-time, Colorado is 17-7-1 against the 'Dogs in the regular season. Mike Mole has allowed one goal in two games against Arizona this season, going 2-0-0 with a .50 GAA and a .982 SV%.

300 IN 7 - As they wrap up their seventh season, Colorado is two wins away from 300 all-time. The Eagles enter the final week of the 2009-10 season with an overall record of 298-106-37, good for 633 points and a .718 winning percentage.

HIGH 5s - The Eagles have several players in the top-5 of several statistical categories as the season winds down. Kevin Ulanski (1st), Aaron Schneekloth (2nd), Riley Nelson (3rd) and Ryan Tobler (5th) are all in the top-5 in plus/minus. Ulanski (1st), Nelson (3rd) and Ed McGrane (T, 4th) are in the top-5 in the points race. Among defensemen, Schneekloth ranks first in points and goals while Jim Jackson is tied for 4th place in both categories.

CENTURY CLUB - Last week, Kevin Ulanski became the first Eagle to reach 100 points in a single season. The previous team high belonged to Greg Pankewicz, who recorded 96 points during the franchise's inaugural season of 2003-04. Ulanski enters the final week of the season with 105 points (33-72-105) and a 12-point lead over Sebastien Thinel.

LATE SEASON SURGES - With two goals on Saturday, veteran Ed McGrane moved into the league lead with 41 scores on the season (a career high). The Eagles veteran has been exceptionally hot over the past 15 games, scoring 20 goals in that span. His five-game goal streak is tied for the third-longest in team history. Late season surges are nothing new for McGrane, however. He ended last season on a franchise-record 20-game point streak before leading the team in the playoffs with 19 points and 13 goals. He ended the season before that on an 11-game point streak.

FROM START TO FINISH - The Eagles have faired decidedly better this season when they get out to a strong start. When scoring first, Colorado is 24-6-1, and when leading at the first intermission, they're 21-2-1. Moreover, that usually helps them in taking a lead into the second intermission, in which case they're 31-1-2.

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics



Central Hockey League Stories from March 15, 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