ECHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado Eagles Weekly Update

Published on December 19, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Tuesday, December 13; Costello named Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week

PRINCETON, N.J. - Chad Costello of the Colorado Eagles is the Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week for Dec. 5-11.

The 25-year-old forward scored three goals, added two assists and was a +7 as Colorado went 2-0-1 in three games against Mountain Division rival Idaho.

Wednesday, December 14; Combs Advances to AHL's Worcester Sharks

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles of the ECHL announced today that forward Jack Combs has signed a contract with the Worcester Sharks of the AHL. Combs is currently the ECHL's leading scorer, recording 37 points (17-20-37) through the season's first 23 games. He also ranks among the league's leaders in goals (2nd), assists (3rd), game-winning goals (T-2nd) & short-handed goals (T-2nd).

"This is a great opportunity for Jack, and we wish him the best," said Eagles general manager & head coach, Chris Stewart. "He's certainly earned this chance with his performance through the first third of our season."

This will be the 6-foot, 215-pound forward's third stint in the AHL, where he's totaled one assist in six games. In 2009-10, Combs played three games with the Peoria Rivermen, and in 2010-11, he spent three games with the Chicago Wolves.

Wednesday, December 14; Eagles Move Into Second Place with Shootout Win in Utah

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - The Colorado Eagles defeated the Utah Grizzlies, 5-4, in a shootout, overtaking the home team for sole possession of second place in the ECHL's Mountain Division. It was another close contest between the evenly-matched teams in the first of three games in four days between them. Colorado came back from several deficits throughout the game and forced overtime by scoring a shorthanded goal late in the third period.

Friday, December 16; Eagles Continue Mountain Division Climb With Win Over Grizzlies

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - The Colorado Eagle defeated the Utah Grizzlies, 3-2, taking the first two contests in this weeks three game series. The win marked the seventh straight game in which the Eagles have earned at least a point, and moved them solidly into second place in the Mountain Division, and within three points of second place in the Western Conference.

Saturday, December 10; Costello Leads Eagles' Offensive Explosion in 7-2 Win Over Utah

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles defeated the Utah Grizzlies, 7-2, as the two short-benched teams met for the third time in four days. The win -- fueled in part by the first hat trick of Chad Costello 's career -- marked the eight game in a row in which Colorado has earned a point. Michael Forney (2-1-3) & Adam Chorneyk0 (0-3-3) each had three-point nights as Costello's linemates.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday, Dec. 20; Feeling Lucky, Eagles Take Point-Streak to Sin City

Colorado (15-8-3, 33 pts.) will take their streak of claiming a point in eight straight games to Las Vegas, where they'll take on one of the few teams ahead of them in the ECHL standings. The Wranglers currently lead the Pacific Division and rank 2nd in the Western Conference -- and the entire league -- with a record of 16-7-4 (36 points). The Eagles split their set of games in Sin City earlier this season, taking the first game 5-3, then losing the second game 3-9.

Wednesday, Dec. 21; Battle of the Birds Renews in Bakersfield

The Eagles will try and get some sleep as they leave a city that never does to take on the Condors Wednesday night. So far this season, Colorado is 2-1-0 against Bakersfield, out-scoring them 10-6. However, the Eagles dropped their only game in Condorstown, 1-3. The Condors enter the week with the league's worst record at 6-19-3 (15 points).

Friday, Dec. 23; Colorado Looks For Early Christmas Present With Grizzlies in Town Again

The Eagles will match up with the Grizzlies for the seventh and final time this month, including the 4th at the Budweiser Events Center. Colorado can hope that the game goes as well as the last one against Utah at the BEC, as the Eagles blew out the Grizzlies, 7-2, last Saturday night. Colorado enters the week with a five-point lead in the Mountain Division over their closest -- and most consistent -- rival.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

THE HIGHS & LOWS - The Eagles put up a dominating performance on Saturday when they defeated the Utah Grizzlies 7-2. Not only did the seven goals represent a season high for Colorado, the three shots they allowed in the first period tied the third-lowest number they've allowed in any period in franchise history.

A LONG TIME COMING - One night after his league-high 14-game point streak was snapped, Chad Costello -- the league's leading scorer -- blew up with a five-point game that was highlighted by the first hat trick of his career. That's all the more surprising when one considers that he scored 34 goals in 54 games with Tulsa last season. In a professional career that's seen him register more than a point per game, the self-proclaimed 'pass-first' player has scored two goals in a game 11 times. As his career has grown, so too has his propensity to be the player putting the puck in the net: those 11 instances have all come in his past 94 games (10 of them in the 88 he's played since the start of last season) after he had no two-goal games in the first 118 games of his career.

HALFWAY HOME - Colorado's December schedule is a road-heavy one, with 11 of their 15 games taking place away from the Budweiser Events Center. Through the first six road games, the Eagles are 4-1-1, helping them to one of the best road records in the league at 8-3-2 (18 points). Entering the week, only one team has more road points (Gwinnett, 22), but they've also played five more road games.

GAINING ALTITUDE - Colorado has a 6-1-2 record in December, losing their first game of the month before claiming at least a point in each of the eight contests since. That surge has pushed them into 2nd place in the Mountain Division and 3rd place in the Western Conference.

MOUNTAIN MANEUVERING - This month will have a big impact on early division rankings as the Eagles take on each of their three Mountain Division foes in 13 of their 15 games. Entering the month, the Eagles were 3-2-1 within the division; so far they're 6-1-2 in December. That overall mark of 9-3-3 is the best inter-divisional record within the Mountain Division. This week's early match-ups in Las Vegas & Bakersfield will be the only games this month played against teams outside the Eagles' division.

PERFECT 10 - Colorado is a perfect 10-0-0 when leading after two periods. That makes them one of just three teams in the ECHL without a loss of any kind after holding a lead through 40 minutes of play; the other two are Greenville (9-0-0) & Utah (8-0-0).

OTHER HAPPENINGS

Holiday Store - Time's running out to give the loved ones in your life the gift of Eagles Hockey this year, but don't worry, we've made it easy! We've once again opened a seasonal store at the Foothills Mall in Ft. Collins, giving Eagles fans another place to purchase team merchandise, tickets, and more. The store (located in the old Lady Foot Locker location) is open now and will close on Dec. 31.

Ladies Night - Our annual -- and always popular -- Ladies Night: Hockey 101 will be taking place on Monday, Feb. 27. Space is limited, so to reserve your spot, call Ben at 970-686-SHOT (7468)...

Holiday Hours - We'd like to wish everyone a 'Happy Holiday Season' and take this chance to let you know that our office in Water Valley will be closed Dec. 26 & 27, as well as Jan. 2 & 3.

7News - 7News Is Now the "Official News and Weather Station" of the Colorado Eagles. As such, fans can look to 7News for televised team news, including game highlights, scores and feature stories. In addition, Lionel Bienvenu and the entire 7News sports team will highlight the Colorado Eagles in the 7Sports Xtra program, airing Sunday nights at 10:30.

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ECHL Stories from December 19, 2011


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