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ECHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado Eagles Weekly Update

February 20, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Tuesday, February 14; Colorado Breaks Idaho's Heart With 3-2 Shootout Win

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles scored a goal in the final minute of the third period to extend their contest against the Idaho Steelheads into a 3-2 shootout win. Jerry Kuhn stopped 51 shots as the Eagles set a season high with 54, getting both regulation goals from Michael Forney in his first game back from the AHL.

Tuesday, February 14; Colorado Breaks Idaho's Heart With 3-2 Shootout Win

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles of the ECHL announced this evening that forward Chad Costello has been returned from loan by the Worcester Sharks of the AHL. Costello returns as the 4th-leading point producer in the ECHL (57 points), despite playing in only 34 games with Colorado; that 1.68 points/game average is the best among the league's leaders.

In seven games with the Sharks, Costello registered four assists, bringing his AHL totals this season between his two call-ups (the other with the Springfield Falcons) to four assists in 11 games.

Wednesday, February 15; Eagles Stretch Winning Streak to Six With 5-1 Win Over Steelheads

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles defeated the Idaho Steelheads, 5-1, extending their winning streak to six games with balanced scoring as five different players found the back of the net. Kyle Jones picked up his sixth win in a row as well, increasing his season total to 23 -- 2nd-most in the ECHL.

Friday, February 17; Eagles Winning Streak Ends As Comeback Falls Short

ONTARIO, Calif. - Jean-Francois Berube was unbeatable for two periods, helping the Ontario Reign end the Colorado Eagles' six-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory despite a valiant comeback effort by the visiting team. Berube stopped 44 shots up until the final milliseconds of the game as the Eagles scored the final three goals of the contest and were pressuring hard for a fourth until the final moments.

Saturday, February 18; Thunder Double-Up Eagles in First of Back-to-Back Meetings

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder defeated the Colorado Eagles, 4-2, in the first of back-to-back meetings this weekend. The game was Colorado's fourth in five days, and the middle match of three in a row in the state of California. Goaltender Robby Nolan stopped 31 of 35 shots in his Eagles debut.

Sunday, February 19; Offensive Funk Continues as Colorado Goes Winless in California

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder topped the Colorado Eagles, 3-1, ending their busy week of five games in six days with its third consecutive loss -- all in the state of California. Colorado has failed to score a goal in six of the nine periods during the losing streak, and registered no even strength goals in the past two games.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, Feb. 22, Friday, Feb. 24 & Saturday, Feb. 25; Eagles Look To End Skid, Gain Ground in Playoff Race Against Ontario

The Eagles are in a tough spot, riding a three-game losing streak as one of the team's hottest -- and best -- teams comes to the Budweiser Events Center for three games. Despite owning one of the league's top offenses, Colorado's skid is partially due to the team's troubles finding the back of the net last weekend in California, and things won't get any easier against the defensively-strong Reign.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

A NICE PLACE TO VISIT, BUT - The Eagles took a six-game winning streak into California last weekend and are coming home with a three-game losing streak after dropping a game Friday in Ontario and games Saturday & Sunday in Stockton. Colorado's offense didn't seem to make the trip, as the team struggled to get pucks past Jean-Francois Berube & Olivier Roy (more on that below).

MILK CARTON OFFENSE - For a team that ranks 2nd in the league in goals/game (3.56), the offense was nearly non-existent in the Golden State. The Eagles failed to score a goal in six of the nine periods over the weekend, and didn't score an even strength goal in the final two games. It wasn't for a lack of offensive chances, however, as the team averaged 39 shots/game.

LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH - In fact, the offense seems to be either "On" or "Off" this season, as the following stats will attest: they're 28-5-4 when scoring at least three goals & 0-14-1 when scoring fewer. A juxtaposition that may be just as revealing is the fact that although the Eagles are among the league leaders in 3rd period scoring, they're just a combined 10-19-3 when tied or trailing after two periods.

STREAKLY SPEAKING - The Eagles' three-game losing streak is tied the second-longest in franchise history, and is just one off the club record of four losses in a row (actually quite impressive when you think about it). This is the 6th time Colorado has had a three-game skid in nine seasons, but the second one this year (Nov. 4 - Nov. 9). Ironically, it comes directly on the heels of a six-game winning streak, that came directly on the heels of a four game winless streak.

TIME TO OVERTHROW - With the team riding a losing streak and struggling to find the back of the net, there are other teams they'd rather see coming into town for three games this week, as Colorado is just 2-4-0 against the defensively-stout Reign. Moreover, Ontario is 2-0-0 at the Budweiser Events Center this season, out-scoring the Eagles 10-3.

RISING TO POWER - Entering the week, the Reign are one of the hottest teams in the league (8-1-1 in their past 10) and have risen all the way to 2nd place in the Western Conference, just seven points behind the defending champion Aces. They're also one of the best road teams in the league, with a record of 15-9-3 (33 pts.), and are 14-6-1 against teams from the Mountain Division. They rank in the top-5 in power play (4th), penalty kill (1st), & goals-against/game (3rd).

STICK AROUND - You won't want to leave your seats until the final buzzer this week as the Reign come to the Budweiser Events Center. That's because Ontario and Colorado enter the week #1 & #2 in third period scoring with 67 & 66 goals respectively. They also rank #3 (564) & #2 (571) in third period shots respectively.

SILVER SKATERS & GOLDEN GOALIE - In lieu of All-Star teams this season, three players (two skaters & one goalie) from each team will be recognized through "Silver Skaters" & "Golden Goalie" designations. The Eagles' players who were chosen via an online fan vote are Chad Costello & Aaron Schneekloth . Kyle Jones was selected by the league's operational staff. Costello has spent much of the season as the league's top scorer, while Schneekloth has done likewise among defensemen. Jones has spent much of the season in the top-5 in several goaltending categories and enters the week ranked 2nd in wins.

OTHER HAPPENINGS

Hat Trick Special - For just $25, receive 1 TICKET to our game this Wed. (February 22nd), 1 BOTTLE of BEER, & 1 SLICE of PIZZA. Don't miss out on this great deal!

Hockey Gear Drive - If you forgot to bring your gently-used hockey gear to several of the drop-off locations during the recent COUNTRY Financial Hockey Gear Drive, benefitting youth hockey in Northern Colorado, it's not too late! You can still bring your gear to COUNTRY's concourse booth at this Wednesday's game and receive a discounted food voucher for use inside the arena!

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