ECHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado Eagles Weekly Update

March 19, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Tuesday, March 13; Eagles to Help NCYH Raise Money Through 50:50 Raffle

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles of the ECHL are proud to announce that they've teamed up with Northern Colorado Youth Hockey (NCYH) to help raise funds for youth hockey program through an electronic "50:50" raffle held at Eagles home games at the Budweiser Events Center. In a 50:50 raffle, the winner receives half of the total proceeds, and the fundraising organization (NCYH in this case) receives the other half; the more raffle tickets purchased, the higher the pot gets.

For complete rules and details on winning -- or for any other questions -- please contact NCYH by phone at 970-377-3977 or via email at marketing@ncyh.org.

Wednesday, March 14; Eagles Sign Amateur Defenseman, Isaac Smeltzer

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles of the ECHL announced today that they've signed defenseman Isaac Smeltzer to an amateur tryout contract and that he will play in tonight's game against the Alaska Aces at the Budweiser Events Center.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 215-pound blueliner just completed his fourth season at Brock University where he recorded 42 points (8-34-42) and 270 penalty minutes in 105 overall games. He set collegiate career highs in goals (4), assists (10), points (14) and PIMs (138) this past season.

Prior to attending Brock University, the Estevan, Saskatchewan native played four seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League, registering 69 points (19-50-69) and 327 PIMs in 158 games.

Wednesday, March 14; Aces Continue Defensive Dominance Over Eagles

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles were hoping that things would be different when they hosted the Alaska Aces for the first time at the Budweiser Events Center, but just like the previous five meetings in Alaska, the defending league champions' league-leading defense was able to stifle the Eagles' potent offense. Not only did Alaska hold Colorado to a franchise record low-tying 17 shots, they held the Eagles to one goal or fewer for the fifth time in six meetings.

Thursday, March 15; Colorado Eagles Announce "Pot of Gold" Community Fundraiser

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles of the ECHL announced today a new community fundraising program that will take place on a regular basis at one of their home games in accordance with the St. Patrick's Day holiday. The team will select a local cause and help change their luck through the help and generosity of Eagles fans in the "Pot of Gold" fundraising effort.

In this, the program's inaugural year, the Eagles will be helping raise money for local Larimer County Sheriff Deputy Aaron Hawks' family. Deputy Hawks' two-year old daughter, Addi, is in need of a liver transplant, a procedure that often exceeds $500,000.

Members of the Larimer County Sheriff's department will be stationed throughout the Budweiser Events Center collecting money in their pots. The total collected will then be matched by several Northern Colorado companies to increase the amount of the "Pot of Gold." If an average of $1/fan inside the arena is donated, more than $20,000 will be raised for the worthy cause.

Friday, March 16; Eagles Snap Skid With First Victory Over Alaska Aces

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak with a 3-1 win against the Alaska Aces. The victory was their first against the defending champs this season, and came in front of a lively crowd at the Budweiser Events Center in what approached a playoff atmosphere between the top two teams in the Mountain Division.

Saturday, March 17; Defending League Champs Claim Mountain Division Crown With 5-1 Win

LOVELAND, Colo. - The defending ECHL champion Alaska Aces defeated the Colorado Eagles, 5-1, in the fifth consecutive game between the Mountain Division's top two teams, and in the process, claimed their second division title in as many seasons. The Aces received goals from five different scorers in the win, which raised their league-leading record to 41-16-9 (91 pts.).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday, March 20; Eagles To Try Their Luck on the Road in Las Vegas

The Eagles will spend the second-to-last week of their first ECHL season on the road, visiting three different cities as they play four games in five days. The trip starts in Las Vegas -- the same place the season will end next weekend -- as both teams are trying to make their own final playoff pushes in the Western Conference. The Wranglers enter the week three points out of 2nd place and eight points out of 1st place. Colorado trails Las Vegas by nine points and has a three point lead over Stockton for the 4th seed and final playoff spot with home ice advantage.

Wednesday, March 21; Colorado Looks to End Condors' Playoff Hopes

Following their game Tuesday night, the Eagles will bus to Bakersfield for their last meeting of the season with the Condors. A Coloado win would end the Condors' playoff hopes and by default, assure Idaho of the 7th and final seed in the Western Conference. After sitting at the bottom of the ECHL standings nearly all season, the Condors have improved their play of late (6-3-1 in their past 10) and have pushed the Trenton Titans into the ECHL cellar. The Eagles are 7-3-0 against Bakersfield this season, but have out-scored them by just 20-16 in six road games.

Friday, March 23 & Saturday, March 24; Eagles & Grizzlies Renew Rivalry

After playing 11 times in the first 14 weeks of the season, the Eagles and Grizzlies haven't seen each other since January 11th. This weekend's set of contests will mark the end of the season series against Colorado's closest and most frequent opponent. The two teams were extremely evenly matched at the beginning of the season before the Eagles ran off with the past five wins -- out-scoring the Grizzlies 26-9 in the process. That surge pushed their record against Utah to 7-2-2, including 3-1-1 on the road. Utah enters the week with a record of 30-32-5, just two points ahead of Idaho for the final playoff spot in the conference.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

JUST TWO MORE AT HOME - After playing seven games at the Budweiser Events Center already this month, the Eagles will play just two more times at home this regular season, next Tuesday & Wednesday against the Ontario Reign. This week will include four road games in three different cities in a stretch of five days. After the pair of home games next week, the Eagles will end their first ECHL regular season with a pair of games in Sin City.

ROAD WOES - With such a road-heavy schedule the rest of the way, Colorado needs to find its footing away from the BEC. They've dropped five straight road games, tying a franchise record for the longest road losing streak. They've lost five road games in a row just one other time, and have gone winless (picking up a point via an overtime loss) in five straight road games two other times. On the positive side, the Eagles are a combined 7-3-1 in Bakersfield & Utah, representing nearly half (48%) of their points away from home this season.

CLEAR AS MUD - With less than two weeks left in the regular season, playoff seedings are still up for grabs in the Western Conference. Alaska opens the week with a five-point lead for 1st place. Ontario has a three-point lead over Las Vegas. Colorado has a three-point lead over Stockton. And the Thunder have a four-point lead over Utah. Idaho -- just two points behind the Grizzlies -- has yet to clinch a playoff spot, but they're just a single point away from doing so and ending Bakersfield's playoff hopes.

NOT MUCH MORE BREATHING ROOM - Alaska's suffocating defense held the Eagles to an average of 20.6 shots/game in the just-completed five game series, including two games with a franchise record low-tying 17. Things won't get much easier against the Wranglers who allow just .41 shots more/game than the Aces. Colorado actually out-shot Alaska on Saturday night (22-21), ending a streak of six straight games with fewer shots than their opponent.

WHO ARE THESE GUYS? - The Eagles and Grizzlies played 11 times before the league's mid-January break, but haven't seen each other since; this weekend's pair of contests against Colorado's closest and most frequent opponent will close out the season series. But with so much time between meetings, the teams may not recognize each other. For their part, the Eagles roster no longer features Chad Costello, Jon Landry or Michael Forney -- each of whom played the last time the teams met (Jan. 11). Colorado is 7-2-2 against Utah this season, but they've out-scored the Grizzlies just 17-15 on the Maverik Center.

OTHER HAPPENINGS

Playoff Tickets On Sale Friday - Even though opponents & dates aren't finalized yet, tickets for the first round of the ECHL's Kelly Cup Playoffs at the Budweiser Events Center (starting at just $16) will go on sale Friday morning at 10 a.m.

Download the FREE Eagles App - Keep up with the team while its on the road by downloading our free mobile app (for iPhone & Android devices). The app features a live scoreboard, an audio feed, up-to-date player stats & more!

Silver Skater & Golden Goalie Jersey Auctions - Chad Costello, Aaron Schneekloth & Kyle Jones each were recognized for their outstanding seasons late last month when they donned specialty jerseys. Those jerseys are currently up for auction, with the bidding ending Thursday.

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 19, 2012


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