CHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado Eagles Week In Review

Published on March 22, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


Week in Review

Monday, March 15; Playoff Tickets On Sale Friday, 10 a.m.

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles announced today that playoff tickets for home games at the Budweiser Events Center will go on sale this Friday, March 19, at 10 a.m. Game dates, times and opponent are yet to be determined, as final playoff seedings will be resolved with this week's play. Stay tuned to www.ColoradoEagles.com for the latest information.

Playoff tickets will start at $18 (plus applicable fees), and can be purchased online at www.ComcastTix.com, over the phone at 1-877-544-TIXX (8499), at the Budweiser Events Center box office or at any ComcastTix outlet.

*Eagles Season Ticket Holders*

Please use your YELLOW, ROUND 2 playoff tickets, located at the back of your ticket books. By securing no lower than the second seed, Colorado will not be involved in the first round of the playoffs.

Tuesday, March 16; Sign Up Now For The '10 Hockey Camps

The Colorado Eagles' Summer Hockey Camp schedule is now set. Sign-up today to get the Early Bird Special, and learn more about our NEW Advanced Skill Sets and Power Skating clinics (details below)!

Camps will be instructed by Colorado Eagles players, so don't miss out on your chance to learn from the pros! Space is limited, so don't delay. Please call (970) 686-SHOT (7468) for more information or to sign up. A registration pamphlet can be downloaded here.

10% Family Discount or Multi-Camp Discount

30% Early Bird Discount if registered by the end of March, 2010

Camp attendees will receive expert instruction from Colorado Eagles players on and off the ice, focusing on proven, hockey-specific training and conditioning. Each week-long session will be highlighted with a scrimmage game on Saturday. Goalie, Advanced Skill Sets, and Power Skating clinics are also available; see full listing of offered programs below (registration and check-in will begin at 7 a.m. on the first day of each session)*:

INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED Clinics

Session 1 (June 7th - 12th)* 8 a.m. - Noon daily

Session 2 (June 14th - 19th)* 8 a.m. - Noon daily

Session 3 (August 2nd - 7th)* 8 a.m. - Noon daily

Cost: Advanced (10 - 14 years) $279.99

Cost: Intermediate (9 years and under) $169.99

GOALIE Clinic

Goaltender-specific training focusing on mobility, positioning and puck control.

Session 1 (August 9th - 13th) 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Cost: $149.99

ADVANCED SKILL SETS & POWER SKATING (NEW This Year)

Session 1 Adv. Skill Sets (August 9th - 13th) 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Session 1 Power Skating (August 9th - 13th) 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Cost: EITHER Advanced Skills OR Power Skating $109.99

Cost: BOTH Advanced Skills AND Power Skating $199.99

* All camp dates and times are subject to change

- Information on Adult Camps Coming Soon -

Wednesday, March 17; The Coach's Show Continues in the Playoffs

Fans,

The Colorado Eagles Coach's Show at Lucky Joe's will continue to take place on select Mondays throughout the playoffs when the team's travel schedule allows. Each show runs from 6-7 p.m. with the first segment airing live on 107.9 The Bear (the radio home of the Eagles); the rest of the show is available via streaming internet.

Come out to Lucky Joe's and meet your favorite Eagles players while enjoying great food and drink specials and getting the inside scoop on your favorite team from Head Coach Kevin McClelland and the players themselves!

Below is a list of dates for the Colorado Eagles Coach's Show this playoff season*:

March 22 - Ulanski & Schneekloth

*Dates and Players subject to change.

Wednesday, March 17; Eagles Make Up Half of All-CHL Team For Second Year in a Row

(LEAGUE RELEASE - Tempe, AZ) - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today the six member All-CHL team for the 2009-10 season, selected through balloting of all 15 CHL head coaches. Receiving recognition on the team are forwards Riley Nelson, Kevin Ulanski and defenseman Aaron Schneekloth, all of Colorado, along with forward Les Reaney of Rapid City, defenseman Derek Eastman of Tulsa and goaltender Joel Martin of Odessa.

The Eagles trio of Nelson, Ulanski and Schneekloth all make the team for the second consecutive season and for Schneekloth it marks the third straight season as an All-CHL performer. Reaney, Eastman and Martin all make their first appearance on the team.

2009-2010 All-CHL Team

F: Riley Nelson, Colorado Eagles

F: Kevin Ulanski, Colorado Eagles

F: Les Reaney, Rapid City Rush

D: Aaron Schneekloth, Colorado Eagles

D: Derek Eastman, Tulsa Oilers

G: Joel Martin, Odessa Jackalopes

Riley Nelson, Forward (Colorado Eagles):

Riley Nelson makes the All-CHL Team for the second straight season and has reached the 90 point plateau for the second time in his career. His 90 points (29-61=90) rank third in the CHL and his +37 plus/minus rating also ranks third. The three-time CHL All-Star was voted the 'Best Overall Player' in the 2010 CHL Best of the Best Poll and his season has seen him climb the all-time rankings in the CHL as he sits eighth in points (633), 10th in goals (249) and 11th in assists (384).

Kevin Ulanski, Forward (Colorado Eagles):

Kevin Ulanski makes the team for the second straight season and currently leads the CHL with 105 points (33-72=105) and leads the league with a +44 plus/minus rating. The two-time CHL All-Star also leads the league with 72 assists and has set an Eagles franchise record with his points total this season.

Les Reaney, Forward (Rapid City Rush):

Les Reaney is in his first full season with the Rush and currently leads the team with 85 points (28-57=85) and is third on the team with a +22 plus/minus rating. He sits fourth in the CHL in points and assists and was named a member of the 2010 CHL All-Star Team. The former Niagara University star has scored 15 goals with 32 assists since January 1st helping the Rush to a tremendous second season in the CHL leading the Northern Conference.

Aaron Schneekloth, Defenseman (Colorado Eagles):

Aaron Schneekloth makes the All-CHL Team for the third straight season and is a finalist for the CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman Award for the third straight season, an award he won last season. The Calgary native leads all defensemen with 62 points, 25 goals, a +39 plus/minus rating, 11 power play goals, six game winning goals and 206 shots on goal.

Derek Eastman, Defenseman (Tulsa Oilers):

Derek Eastman ranks third among defensemen in scoring and third on the Oilers with 44 points (8-36=44). He had a strong February that saw him score 13 points (3-10=13) in 15 games. The St. Paul, Minnesota native is one of five finalists for the CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman Award.

Joel Martin, Goaltender (Odessa Jackalopes):

Joel Martin is having a great season with a 25-6-2 record and a CHL All-Star Game CO-MVP Award under his belt. His 25 wins ranks third in the league, his 2.51 goals against average is second, his .918 save percentage is fourth and he is tied for the league lead with eight shootout wins. The Plano, Texas native had a 13-game point streak (12-0-1) from late October into December and is a two-time Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week winner and was named the Sher-Wood/TPS CHL Goaltender of the Month for December.

Wednesday, March 17; Eagles Keep Pace With 4-2 Win

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Colorado Eagles defeated the Arizona Sundogs, 4-2, in the first of three meetings between the teams as the regular season wraps up this week. Ed McGrane added to his league-leading goal total with his second game-winner in a row as Colorado remains three points behind the Rapid City Rush in the Northern Conference.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first period as both goaltenders made some solid saves. Doug Groenestege stopped 11 shots, including two great shorthanded chances for the Eagles, and Andrew Penner stopped nine at the opposite end of the ice.

That trend changed in the second period as the teams combined for three goals, and Colorado put the first shot of the period into the back of the net just 38 seconds in. The goal came on a great individual effort from defenseman Jim Jackson, who picked up a loose puck behind his own net, skated it down the ice and dumped it in at the far blue line. He then picked it back up behind the Arizona net and stuffed it inside the post before Groenestege could get back in the crease.

Joey Sides tied the score with a great effort of his own at 13:51. After winning a faceoff forward in the right circle of his offensive zone, he took the puck across the crease and roofed it past Penner to make it 1-1.

But the Eagles answered right back, just over a minute later, when Steve Haddon found Adam Hogg with a pass from behind the net to the low slot for a lead heading into the third period.

The red-hot McGrane struck just 14 seconds into the final frame -- giving him a six-game goal streak that ties the second-longest in franchise history -- as he beat Groenestege 5-hole with a shot from the left dot.

But former-Eagle Konrad Reeder cut the Colorado lead down to 1 once more with a shorthanded goal at 4:03. On the play, Reeder stole the puck at his own blue line and raced in alone on Penner before beating him in close with a backhand-forehand move.

The game remained tight as time expired, with each team killing off several penalties, before Brett Lutes converted on a pass from Haddon with 25 seconds left to ice the game.

Friday, March 19; Schneekloth Named Most Outstanding Defenseman For Second Year in a Row

(LEAGUE RELEASE - Tempe, AZ) - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Aaron Schneekloth of the Colorado Eagles has been named the recipient of the 2009-10 Central Hockey League's Most Outstanding Defenseman award.

This is the second straight season that Schneekloth has earned the award as he joins Hardy Sauter as the only player to receive the recognition twice (1997, 1998). The honor is 'presented annually to the Central Hockey League defenseman who has demonstrated the greatest all-round ability in the position' and is determined through balloting of CHL head coaches, communications departments and selected media members in each market.

The Calgary native earned the highest percentage of votes of any of the CHL awards this season appearing on 37 of 52 ballots. Tulsas Derek Eastman finished second in the voting.

Schneekloth has topped his career season from a year ago with 64 points (25-39=64) leading all defensemen in points (64), goals (25), assists (39), plus/minus (+39), shots (206) and game winning goals (6). The fourth-year Eagle defenseman was named a member of the All-CHL team in each of the last three seasons and finished runner-up for the top defenseman award in 2008. Last season, Schneekloth finished with 52 points (17-35=52) and a +38 plus/minus rating during his award winning season.

The former college star at North Dakota has played in 64 career American Hockey League games seeing action with Grand Rapids and Houston and has scored 307 points (94-213=307) in his 351 career CHL games seeing action with Colorado, Austin and New Mexico.

Friday, March 12; Eagles, Mudbugs Set to Start Playoffs Friday

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles announced this evening that they will begin their best-of-seven game series in the Northern Conference Semifinals against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs on Friday, March 26 at the Budweiser Events Center; a full series schedule is listed below.

Northern Conference Semifinals

Game 1 - BOS @ COL; Friday, March 26 (7:05 MST)

Game 2 - BOS @ COL; Saturday, March 27 (7:05 MST)

Game 3 - COL @ BOS; Tuesday, March 30 (6:05 MST)

Game 4 - COL @ BOS; Thursday, April 1 (6:05 MST)

Game 5* - COL @ BOS; Friday, April 2 (6:05 MST)

Game 6* - BOS @ COL; Tuesday, April 6 (7:05 MST)

Game 7* - BOS @ COL; Wednesday, April 7 (7:05 MST)

* - If necessary

The Eagles (2nd seed) and Mudbugs (3rd seed) will meet in the Ray Miron President's Cup playoffs for the third time in the past five years. After losing to the 'Bugs in 2006, the Eagles picked up their first ever playoff series sweep against them last season.

Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased online at www.ComcastTix.com, over the phone at 1-877-544-TIXX (8499), at the Budweiser Events Center box office or at any ComcastTix outlet.

*Eagles Season Ticket Holders*

Please use your YELLOW, ROUND 2 playoff tickets, located at the back of your ticket books. By securing no lower than the second seed, Colorado will not be involved in the first round of the playoffs.

Friday, March 19; Nothing Special: 'Dogs Net 7 on Special Teams

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Colorado Eagles fell, 7-6, to the Arizona Sundogs in a game that saw nine total special teams goals and 21 total power plays. Three players had multi-goal games in the back-and-forth affair that marked the second of three straight meetings between the inter-conference rivals.

The two teams combined for three power-play goals in an opening period that saw Arizona have a decided edge in man-advantage play. Joey Sides got the 'Dogs on the board at 8:47, during the third of three successive Arizona power plays, when he backhanded the puck into the net from the left side of the crease.

Just under four minutes after that, the Eagles were in the middle of killing a full two minutes of a 5-on-3 Arizona power play, when Steve Potvin poked home a Linus Fagemo rebound that had settled behind Mike Mole.

But under a minute later, Colorado converted on its first power play of the night -- after just 16 seconds -- when Ed McGrane continued his torrid pace and increased his league-leading goal total at 13:31. His seven-game goal streak is one off the franchise record.

Things continued in the second period as Potvin netted his second power-play goal of the night off of another rebound 4:14 in. But McGrane countered with his second score of the night -- the first even-strength goal of the game -- at 7:51, when he beat JF Perras from the right circle.

The teams traded goals the rest of the second stanza as Konrad Reeder made it 4-2 with Arizona's fourth power-play goal of the game, by tapping in a pass from Potvin, who sent the puck from between the circles to the former Eagle at the left side of the crease.

But Aaron Schneekloth made it a one-goal deficit for the Eagles once again just over a half minute later when he tapped in a Steve Haddon pass from the left point, while streaking down the slot and crashing the crease. Then, with Colorado on the power play, Fagemo made it 5-3 with a shorthanded breakaway goal past Mole at 17:10.

Fagemo got his second goal in a row 3:29 into the third period by backhanding a rebound from the left side of the crease in the first half of a Ryan McLeod double-minor. Nick Biondo then tallied in the second half to score Arizona's sixth power-play goal of the game (tying the record for most power-play goals allowed in a game in franchise history) with a tap-in from the doorstep.

But Colorado refused to back down, and Mario Joly made it 7-4 just 50 seconds later. And at 12:38, Felipe Larranaga ended the longest goal-drought on the team (his last score coming Nov. 25) with a blast from the point to make it 7-5.

Kevin Ulanski -- the league's leading scorer -- picked up his second point of the night, with just over four minutes left, when he was knocked down on a shorthanded breakaway and converted on the ensuing penalty shot by roofing a backhander past Perras.

With the game entering the final few minutes, 7-6, in favor of the home team, Colorado staged a strong attempt to tie as they nearly converted several times on a 6-on-4 advantage. But Perras and the Sundogs' defense stood strong to maintain the one-goal margin for the win.

Saturday, March 20; Eagles End Regular Season With Win

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Colorado Eagles ended the regular season with a 3-2 win over the Arizona Sundogs, in the third game in a row between the two teams. Ryan Tobler had a three-point night, capped off by scoring the game-winning goal. The victory was the 300th in the franchise's seven seasons and gave them a 2009-10 record of 42-15-7 (91 points).

The first period was littered with penalties just like the night before. But unlike Friday night, the Sundogs were unable to convert on their man-advantage chances, going 0-for-5 in the period. Instead, Arizona got the only goal of the frame when they struck with a shorthanded marker midway through the period.

The goal occurred as Jay Birnie was stepping out of the penalty box and back into the play, when Marc Belanger took the puck at the top of the left circle, cut through the slot and snapped it past Andrew Penner.

The Eagles turned things up in the second period, out-shooting the 'Dogs 21-4, with Riley Nelson scoring a pair to give the road team the lead heading into the third period. Just over three minutes in, Nelson took a drop-pass from Tobler in the high slot and swept a shot past Doug Groenestege to tie the game at 1.

That goal gave the Eagles' captain 92 points on the season, setting a new career high. And with just over three minutes left in the frame, Nelson kept adding to that total when he took another pass from Tobler and beat the Sundogs' goalie for a shorthanded tally to make it 2-1, Colorado, heading into the third.

Tobler capped off his big night with a goal of his own 7:18 into the final frame, by throwing home a rebound from in front of the net. But just over two minutes later, Belanger got his second goal of the evening with a power-play score from the left circle to keep the game close. Both goalies were forced to play strong the rest of the way, and each responded by doing just that; Penner stopped 11 of 12 shots in the period and Groenestege stopped 12 of 13.

The Eagles' next game will be Friday, March 26 at the Budweiser Events Center, when they open the Northern Conference Semifinals against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

Sunday, March 21; Playoff Moments Countdown

Eagles Fans,

The Colorado Eagles will be kicking off the 2010 Ray Miron President's Cup playoffs with a special countdown of great playoff moments at the Budweiser Events Center from our first six seasons. Each day leading up to Game 1 of the Northern Conference Semifinals, we'll unveil another moment on our Web site and our Facebook Fan Page. Each moment will have a description of the play from the official press release along with the video highlight.

One lucky fan who posts a comment about their own favorite playoff moment on our Facebook page will be selected to receive TWO FREE TICKETS to Game 2 of the Northern Conference Semifinals on Saturday, March 27.

We look forward to seeing you at all of the home playoff games this season as we make more moments happen. Tickets are on sale now! Get yours today by visiting www.comcasttix.com.

Sunday, March 21; Eagles Set Playoff Roster

WINDSOR, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles announced this evening, in time for the CHL's deadline, their 19-man playoff roster. Each team in the Ray Miron President's Cup playoffs is allowed to carry 19 players on their official playoff roster, in addition to two amateur players that can be added at any time. The Eagles' playoff roster is listed below.

Colorado will begin its playoff season against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in the Northern Conference Semifinals on Friday, March 26 at the Budweiser Events Center.

Colorado Eagles 2010 Playoff Roster

SKATERS

Jason Lundmark

Brett Thurston

Kevin Ulanski

Steve Haddon

Ed McGrane

Riley Nelson

Brett Lutes

Jay Birnie

Ryan Tobler

Jim Jackson

Adam Hogg

Jason Beatty

Fraser Filipic

Aaron Schneekloth

Mario Joly

Ryan McLeod

Felipe Larranaga

GOALTENDERS

Andrew Penner

Mike Mole

The Week Ahead

Friday, March 26 (Game 1) & Saturday, March 27 (Game 2); Eagles and Mudbugs Open Northern Conference Semifinals

Colorado (#2 seed) will take on Bossier-Shreveport (#3 seed) in the best-of-seven Northern Conference Semifinals as the two teams begin their journey for the Ray Miron President's Cup. The two franchises have represented the Northern Conference in the final round in each of the past six seasons (Colorado in '05, '07, '08 and '09). The Eagles and 'Bugs have met two prior times in the playoffs, with each team winning convincingly once; Colorado earned the first playoff sweep in team history last year against the Mudbugs in the same round. Games between the two teams are generally close, with nine of the past eight playoff games being decided by one goal, and 9 of the past 10 overall when including the regular season.

Notable Numbers

300th WIN - The Eagles ended the 2009-10 season with a record of 42-15-7, good for 91 points. Their final win of the season was the 300th in franchise history, leaving them with an all-time record of 300-107-37 in seven seasons. That computes to 637 points (an average of 91 per season) and a winning percentage of .717.

MUDBUGS, REGULAR SEASON - The Eagles went 2-0-1 against the Mudbugs this season, including 2-0-0 at the BEC. All-time, Colorado is 14-6-2 against the 'Bugs, including 7-4-1 at home. The games between the two teams are generally very close; all three games this season were decided by just a single goal, as were two of three last season.

MUDBUGS, PLAYOFFS - The Eagles and Mudbugs have faced off in the playoffs two previous times, with each team winning convincingly once. The 'Bugs ended the Eagles' season in 2006 with a 4-1 series win in the Northern Conference Finals. Last season, Colorado earned their first playoff sweep in defeating Bossier-Shreveport in the Northern Conference Semifinals. Each game in last years' series was decided by a single score, with three of the four games ending 4-3 and two taking overtime to decide. Overall, eight of the nine playoff games between the two clubs have been one-goal games.

LEAGUE LEADERS - Several Eagles ended the regular season atop the league's statistical categories. Kevin Ulanski won the Joe Burton scoring championship with 109 points, while also leading the league in plus/minus (+45) and short-handed assists (8) and tying for the league lead with 75 assists and five shorthanded goals. Riley Nelson tied for first with 5 short-handed goals. Ed McGrane led the league with 44 goals. Fraser Filipic led the league with 280 penalty minutes. Among defensemen, Aaron Schneekloth led the league in points (66), goals (26), plus/minus (+41) and shots (214), while tying for first with 40 assists, 11 power-play goals and six game-winning goals.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS - Several Eagles also set or matched personal career Colorado highs in major statistical categories this season. Jason Beatty did so with 16 points, 14 assists and a +22. Steve Haddon did so with 47 points, 21 goals and +13. Adam Hogg did so with 12 assists and +8. Jason Lundmark did so with 10 assists and 51 PIMS. Ed McGrane with 89 points and 44 goals. Riley Nelson in points (94), assists (63) and plus/minus (+39). Aaron Schnekloth in points (66), goals (26), assists (40) and plus/minus (+41). Brett Thurston with 12 points, two goals and a +13. And Kevin Ulanski set new highs in points (109), goals (34), assists (75) and plus/minus (+45).

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2010


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