ECHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado Eagles Weekly Update

February 13, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Monday, February 6; Forney Recalled by IceCaps

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles, proud affiliate of the NHL's Winnipeg Jets & the AHL's St. John's IceCaps, announced today that forward Michael Forney has been recalled by the IceCaps.

In 44 games with the Eagles this season, the former 3rd round draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers has registered 37 points (13-24-37), a +10 plus/minus rating and 47 penalty minutes.

Monday, February 6; Eagles Add Another All-Star in Netminder Nolan

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles of the ECHL announced today that they've acquired goaltender Robby Nolan from the Toledo Walleye in exchange for future considerations. Nolan spent last season with the CHL's Missouri Mavericks where he was voted the league's Most Outstanding Goaltender, was the winning goalie in the league's All-Star game & led the league in goals-against average (2.07) & shutouts (7), while ranking 3rd in wins (26) & save percentage (.928).

"The opportunity to acquire a goalie of Nolan's caliber was something we couldn't pass up," said Eagles Head Coach Chris Stewart. "Obviously that brings the number of goaltenders on our roster to three, which will be reduced prior to the playoffs."

Following the best season of his career last year, Nolan began this season with the ECHL's Chicago Express before being traded to the Walleye. So far this season, he's compiled a record of 9-11-3 (including one shutout), with a GAA of 3.34 & a .886 save percentage.

Friday, February 10; Eagles Top ECHL's Hottest Team With 5-2 Win Over Thunder

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles stretched their winning streak to three games with a 5-2 victory over the Stockton Thunder, who had entered the game as the ECHL's hottest team, featuring an 8-1-1 record in their past 10 contests. Steve Haddon and Joey Sides each had a pair of goals in the victory, while Kyle Jones picked up his 20th win of the season.

Saturday, February 11; Eagles Win 4th Straight After Weekend Sweep Against Stockton

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles defeated the Stockton Thunder, 4-1, behind the strength of Kyle Jones ' 41-save effort in his 21st win of the season -- and the 50th of his career with Colorado. Ben Chiarot picked up the game-winner -- the first of his career -- with a penalty shot in the third period.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday, Feb. 14 & Wednesday, Feb. 15; Eagles Look To Extend Winning Steak Against Idaho

Riding a four-game winning streak, the Eagles will look to receive some love from their home fans when Idaho comes to Loveland for the final time this season. The pair of back-to-back games, starting on Valentine's Day, will represent the final two of the season series that the Eagles lead 4-1-1 at this point. The Stealheads enter the week six points behind the Eagles in the Mountain Division, and tied for 5th in the Western Conference with Stockton.

Friday, Feb. 17; Colorado Heads to Ontario for Final Time This Season

The Eagles will make their last visit to Ontario to take on the Reign in the first of three games in as many nights in California. It will be the 6th game of the season series between the teams, who will face-off five more times at the Budweiser Events Center before the season is over. So far, Colorado is 2-3-0 against the Reign, but 2-1-0 on the road. Ontario enters the week four points ahead of the Eagles in the standings.

Saturday, Feb. 18 & Sunday, Feb. 19; Eagles Continue Californication With Set in Stockton

After sweeping Stockton last weekend at the BEC, the Eagles will look to keep the Thunder from returning the favor on their own home ice when Colorado wraps up its busiest week of the season. The Eagles are 4-1-0 so far this season against the Thunder, who enter the week 3rd in the Pacific Division and tied for 5th in the Western Conference. The weekend set will also represent Colorado's last trip to Stockton this season.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

NICE SHOT CHIAROT - When rookie defenseman Ben Chiarot scored on a penalty shot last Saturday, the goal was notable for several reasons. It ended up being the first game-winner of his career, and it also marked the first successful penalty shot in franchise history for both a defenseman and a rookie.

ON THE GOOD SIDE - New acquisition Joey Sides was a longtime tormenter of the Eagles when he was a member of the Arizona Sundogs, so it's nice to have his production coming in a Colorado jersey now. Through four games with Colorado, Sides has five points (4-1-5) and a plus-8 plus/minus rating that is the highest on the team since his arrival.

VETERAN LEADERSHIP - The Eagles' veterans have led the charge on the team's current four-game winning streak. In that time, Kevin Ulanski (9), Riley Nelson (7), Steve Haddon (6) & Aaron Schneekloth (4) have accounted for 26 of the team's 53 overall points (49%). They've also accounted for six of the team's previous seven game-winning goals.

VETERAN MILESTONES - Two of the aforementioned veterans are also approaching notable milestones with the team. Aaron Schneekloth is just three points shy of 300 as an Eagle (100-197-297) & Steve Haddon is just two points shy of 200 (87-111-198). Kevin Ulanski surpassed 300 earlier this season (107-219-326). And, of course, they all have a long way to go to catch Riley Nelson (285-438-723).

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES - Kyle Jones was stellar in last weekend's sweep of Stockton, posting a GAA of 1.64 and a .956 SV%. Saturday night's win was his 50th as an Eagle and his 21st this season -- good for 2nd in the ECHL. He also ranks among the top-5 in the league in games played (3rd), minutes played (3rd) & saves (5th).

GETTIN' BUSY - This week marks the busiest stretch of the Eagles' schedule this season with five games in six days. They'll host Idaho on Tuesday & Wednesday before traveling to California on Thursday where they'll play in Ontario Friday night before back-to-back games in Stockton the following two days.

WHY PLAY THE THIRD? - The Eagles will want to have strong starts in each of their five games this week because whichever team is leading after two periods will have a good chance of winning. Colorado is 18-0-2 when leading after two periods, Idaho is 12-0-4 & Stockton is 15-0-1 (Ontario is 21-1-2). They represent half of the six teams left in the league who have yet to lose in regulation when leading after 40 minutes of play.

LUKA LIKES FISH - The Eagles are 4-1-1 this season against the Steelheads, including 2-1-0 at the Budweiser Events Center. However, with Chad Costello (11), Jack Combs (10) & Jon Landry (8) currently in the AHL, that leaves Kevin Ulanski as the highest scoring Eagle in the season series. Ulanski has eight points in four games (4-4-8), followed by Luka Vidmar, who has seven of his 16 points on the season against Idaho (all assists).

LIKE FISH IN A BARREL - Idaho enters the week averaging the fewest shots per game (27.6) & the most shots allowed per game (39.4) in the ECHL. In the six game season series so far, Colorado has out-shot the Steelheads 262:158 -- an average of 17.3 more shots per contest.

OTHER HAPPENINGS

Hockey Gear Drive - It's the final few days to participate in the COUNTRY Financial hockey gear drive, so if you've got gently used gear, be sure to donate it in exchange for discounted Eagles tickets.

Valentine's Day Ticket Special - Does that special someone in your life love the Colorado Eagles too? Treat them to a great evening out on February 14th by taking advantage of our "Valentine's Package." For just $55, you'll receive TWO TICKETS, a $20 GIFT CARD to Austin's, & an AUTOGRAPHED PUCK.

Pepsi 4-Pack - This Wednesday is the third of six total Pepsi Family 4-Pack nights this season. For just $80, you can get 4 Tickets, 4 Hotdogs & 4 Drinks...be sure to take advantage of this great deal and bring the family out to a game!

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 13, 2012


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