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CHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado Eagles Weekly Update

November 29, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


Wednesday, November 24; Eagles Thankful for Jones' Shutout

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles blanked the Rapid City Rush, 3-0, with a gutsy effort backstopped by Kyle Jones' 42-save shutout (the most saves in a shutout in franchise history). Colorado took the fifth of six games in its 12-game season series with the defending champs while suiting up just 14 skaters.

The teams skated to a scoreless first period as each goaltender made some spectacular saves at each end of the ice. Danny Battochio stopped 10 shots, while Jones -- the league's top netminder statistically -- stopped eight.

Rapid City had a slight edge in play in the second period, out-shooting Colorado 13-7, but Jones stole the show by continuing his strong play between the pipes -- including a pair of breakaway stops.

Colorado finally broke through in the third, beating Battochio twice and adding a short-handed empty-netter. Kevin Ulanski got the game-winner on the power play at 6:12 by backhanding a Riley Nelson rebound from below the right circle. On the play, Daymen Rycroft carried the puck down the left wing before dropping it to Nelson in the circle for a shot that Battochio kicked aside.

Dylan Stanley beat the Rapid City netminder's glove with a shot from high in the left circle at 9:13, making it 2-0. And Rycroft added the game's final tally with 66 seconds left by winning a battle for the puck in Colorado's offensive zone while killing a 6-on-4 power play for the Rush.

Friday, November 26; Ulanski's HT Helps Power Eagles Past Thunder

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles defeated the Wichita Thunder, 7-5, at the Budweiser Events Center in the first game of a home-and-home set this weekend. Kevin Ulanski recorded a hat trick and Colorado's power play went 5-for-6 on the night (tying a franchise record for most power-play goals in a game) to outlast the Thunder. It was the second game in a row that the Eagles dressed just 14 skaters.

The Eagles took a 3-0 lead in an opening period that saw extended power-play time for each squad. Ulanski got the scoring started at 3:56 on a play created by Jason Beatty's hard work. On the score, the defenseman powered his way to the net on a rush before circling back to his position at the left point. The puck came back to him, and he threw it toward the net where Ulanski deflected it through Marty Magers' 5-hole.

Less than two minutes later, the Thunder were awarded 4:20 seconds of consecutive power-play time, including 1:40 of 5-on-3 play. But the Eagles' penalty-killers were up to the task, allowing their own power play unit to take advantage soon after.

It took Colorado just 11 seconds to convert on their first power play chance of the game when Aaron Schneekloth blasted the puck toward the net and Ulanski picked up his second goal of the game by collecting the loose biscuit low in the right circle and snapping it past Magers' blocker at 13:03.

Soon after that, the Eagles were awarded 1:52 of their own 5-on-3 play and Adam Hogg made it 3-0 for the home team at 15:08 by putting home a loose puck from the left side of the crease. That sequence of swarming the net helped Colorado to a 14-12 advantage in shots after the first period.

After the Thunder gained a brief bit of momentum midway through the middle period, scoring a pair of goals, and trimming Colorado's lead to 3-2, the Eagles pushed back with a pair of their own.

Matt Robinson set up A.J. Gale at 7:30, for Wichita's first goal, by skating out from behind the net and backhanding a back-door pass to Gale for a tap-in tally. At 9:55, Robinson got a goal of his own, converting on a quick 2-on-2 transition rush by snapping a shot top shelf from the left circle.

Colorado got their pair of goals after Kory Scoran was penalized with a 5-minute boarding major at 13:49 of the second stanza. Kyle Peto picked up his first goal of the year at 15:44 with a blast from the point that found its way to the twine. And just over two minutes later -- with 54 seconds left on the major penalty -- Matt Glasser recorded his first professional score after getting a pass in the slot from Schneekloth along the left wing.

The Thunder continued to stick around, making most of their noise in the final frame. Scoran got some redemption 1:34 into the third when his shot from the left point found its way past Kyle Jones, trimming Colorado's lead to 5-3. But at 6:43, Ulanski notched his third goal six seconds into the Eagles' sixth power play of the night -- giving him his second hat trick in a Colorado jersey.

Wichita wouldn't quit, however, and scored a pair of their own power-play goals, cutting Colorado's lead to 6-5. Aaron Davis got the first one at 10:25 when Steve Kaunisto sent the puck toward the net from the point and he deflected it from below the left circle. And at 15:21, Jesse Bennefield stickhandled through the right circle and flipped a backhand pass to Mike Looby in the slot on a nice set-up.

But with 53 seconds left, and Magers pulled for an extra attacker, Hogg picked up his second goal of the night after winning a battle at center ice along the left wing boards and flipping the puck into the cage.

Saturday, November 27; Eagles Start Road Swing With Loss in Wichita

WICHITA, Kan. - The Colorado Eagles lost, 5-3, to the Wichita Thunder, splitting their weekend home-and-home series. Playing the third game in a row with just 14 skaters, the Eagles suffered from several lapses in dropping the first game of their first extended road trip of the season (four games over 13 days away from the Budweiser Events Center).

The Thunder won the first period, out-shooting the Eagles 12-6 and notching the only goal of the frame. Andrew Penner was strong early, but at 6:24 he misplayed a clearing attempt right to the stick of Chris Greene, giving the forward an easy goal. Marc-Antonie Gelinas was sharp at the other end of the ice, stuffing all of Colorado's scoring chances.

The Eagles evened the play some in the second period, but the Thunder again out-scored them to take a 3-1 lead into the third period.

The red-hot Kevin Ulanski got the Eagles on the board 1:41 into the second period with a power-play goal from the high slot, tying the game. But at 10:01, the dangerous Jesse Bennefield scored on a breakaway to put Wichita back on top. And at 14:20, Matt Robinson made it 3-1 with a power-play blast from the slot.

Colorado kept climbing into the game -- out-shooting Wichita 13-9 in the final frame -- but just as the Eagles would get back within striking distance, defensive lapses would pave the way for the Thunder to counter.

Bobby Hughes made it 4-1, 9:20 into the third period, when the puck trickled off his stick and through the 5-hole of Penner. Adam Hogg, however, countered just 25 seconds later with a top-shelf shot past Gelinas to make trim Wichita's lead back to 4-2.

Then, at 16:31, Dylan Stanley cut their lead down to 1 by taking the puck from below the goal line, skating into the low slot and beating the Thunder netminder with a determined effort. But less than two minutes after that, Travis Wight sent a long lead pass to Troy Schwab who made it 5-3 with a breakaway tally.

The Eagles' next game will be Tuesday, Nov. 30 in Odessa, Texas. Their next home game will be Friday, Dec. 10 against the same Jackalopes squad.

Saturday, November 27; Eagles Offering Cyber Monday Jersey Sale

Eagles Fans,

On Monday, Nov. 29th -- for ONE DAY ONLY -- you can purchase select Eagles jerseys for as low as $50 on the team's online store! While supplies last, all 2009 All-Star Game home jerseys will be on sale for only $55, and all original road (black) and original alternate (red) jerseys will be on sale for just $50.

Limited sizes available, taxes and fees not included in sales price. Purchases must be made online from 12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. (MST) on Monday, Nov. 29th, 2010.

The Week Ahead

Tuesday, Nov. 30; Eagles Continue Road Trip in Odessa

After playing two preseason games against each other, the Eagles and Jackalopes will renew acquantances for the first time in a regular season series that will see them face-off seven times. Colorado is a perfect 9-0-0 against the Jacks' at the Budweiser Events Center, but 3-3-1 at the "Jack Shack" -- including being out-scored 34-24.

Friday, Dec. 3; Colorado Heads Back to Wichita

The Eagles will face the Thunder for the third time in a four-game span after splitting a home-and-home series with Wichita this past weekend. Colorado's loss on Saturday night ended a 10-game winning streak against the Thunder, and the five goals allowed in each game matches the season high against the Eagles. Colorado has an all-time record of 13-8-4 in Wichita, but has out-scored the Thunder by just one goal in the all-time series there (77-76).

Saturday, Dec. 4; Eagles Head Back to Texas Looking for Win at NYTEX

The Eagles will get back on the bus and head back to Texas for a meeting with the Brahmas on Saturday. It will be the final game of their first long road trip of the season. It will mark the first of two meetings against the Brahmas this season -- both on the road -- with the other coming January 2. All-time, the Eagles are 0-5-1 at the NYTEX Sports Centre, 0-2-1 in the regular season.

Notable Numbers

A PERFECT 10 - Colorado's loss to Wichita on Saturday ended a 10-game winning streak in the franchise's all-time series. Prior to Saturday, the Eagles' last loss to the Thunder came on January 3, 2009.

THE PERFECT STORM - Prior to Saturday's loss in Wichita, Andrew Penner had been undefeated against the Thunder. He carried a 5-0-0 record, a 1.29 GAA and a .944 SV% into the game -- all franchise-best marks against a team the Eagles have played 50 times now.

THE BIGGEST LOSER - It took nearly two and a half seasons and 83 games (16 more than any other goalie has played for Colorado) but Andrew Penner finally has a record he might not care to own -- but one he was bound to claim given enough time. With his loss Saturday night, the team's all-time leader in wins (55) is also now the all-time leader in losses (18). Paulo Colaiacavo, who is second in games played (67), is also now in second in losses (17).

THURSTING FOR THUNDER STORMS - Defenseman Brett Thurston makes his living by quietly doing his job with little flash. But against the Thunder, Thurston makes plenty of noise -- comparatively. After picking up an assist on Saturday, he now has eight points -- or 30% of his career points as an Eagle -- in 15 games against Wichita. That's a point-per-game average of .53 against Wichita, and .18 against everyone else.

CAN'T SILENCE THE THUNDER - The five goals allowed against the Thunder in each of last weekend's games tied the Eagles' season high for goals allowed in a game. They've allowed as many as five just one other time -- in the season-opening loss to Arizona. Colorado is 1-2-0 when allowing more than four goals.

FOUR SCORE - When scoring at least four goals, Colorado is 7-0-0. When scoring three or fewer, they're 4-4-1. This trend is nothing new to the Eagles who have similar statistical splits since their inception (222-19-13 & 78-88-24).

WIN EARLY - The Eagles are a combined 10-0-1 when scoring first, 5-0-1 when leading at the first intermission, and 6-0-0 when tied after one period of play. Conversely, when trailing after the first stanza, Colorado is 0-4-0 (accounting for each of their regulation losses).

HE'S A WINNER - The CHL's reigning MPV, Kevin Ulanski, leads the league with five game-winning goals, including the winner in each of Colorado's past four victories. He had six total in each of his past two seasons with the Eagles.

GOING HOGG WILD - Roughly a quarter of the way through the season, Adam Hogg is on pace to set career highs in goals, assists and points. One area he's already set new highs in is on the power play: In his 166 career games coming into the season, he had just one power-play assists. This season he has three power-play goals and two helpers. Hogg, who led the Eagles in shooting percentage last season (.167), is still sharp-shooting too, leading them again with a conversion rate of .200.

JACKED UP STATS - Colorado's two top scorers, Riley Nelson & Kevin Ulanski, are also the Eagles' all-time point leaders against Odessa. Nelson leads the way -- by far -- with 24 points in 14 games (1.7 points-per-game). Way back in second place is Ulanski with 13 points in just five games (2.6 points-per-game).

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics

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