ECHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado Eagles Weekly Update

Published on October 22, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Wednesday, October 17; Ray Kaunisto Re-Assigned to Eagles

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles of the ECHL, proud affiliate of the NHL's Winnipeg Jets & the AHL's St. John's IceCaps, announced today that forward Ray Kaunisto has been re-assigned to the Eagles. The 6-foot-4-inches, 185-pound forward brings a strong resume to Colorado. Following a four-year collegiate career at Northern Michigan University, the Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan native began his pro career with the AHL's Manchester Monarchs, for whom he played 131 games over the past two seasons. Last year he recorded 22 points (7-15-22) and 65 penalty minutes in 74 games.

Wednesday, October 17; King Helps Lead Idaho to 7-6 Shootout Win Over Colorado

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Idaho Steelheads picked up their first win of the season with a 7-6 shootout victory over the Colorado Eagles, led by Tristan King's four-goal evening. The back-and-forth game was the first of a set of three between the teams that will meet again at the Budweiser Events Center on Friday & Saturday.

Friday, October 19; Steelheads Steal Another Close Contest in Colorado

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Idaho Steelheads came from behind on the strength of two third period power-play goals to claim a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Eagles in the second of three games between the teams this week at the Budweiser Events Center. Josh Robinson got his first professional start in net for Idaho, and his teammates helped him pick up the win by allowing just 22 shots. The only two that got by him were scored by Michael Forney, who claimed the league lead in goals with five through four games.

Saturday, October 20; Steelheads Finish Sweep With 6-1 Win

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Idaho Steelheads completed a three-game sweep of the Colorado Eagles at the Budweiser Events Center with a 6-1 win. The Steelheads got out to a quick start and rode it to a solid finish, and despite the Eagles owning a 36-28 advantage in shots, rookie netminder Josh Robinson was rarely tested in netting his second win in as many nights.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Friday, October 26; Colorado Hits The Road For Meeting Against Grizzlies

After starting the season with five home games, Colorado will hit the road for the first time, heading to a place they're awfully familiar with -- and will be again. For the second season in a row, the Eagles will take on the Utah Grizzlies (their closest opponent) more than any other team. Friday's meeting will be the first of 13 overall match-ups between the teams, the first of seven in Utah. In 13 meetings last season, Colorado compiled an 8-3-2 mark against the Grizzlies. They were 4-2-1 at the Maverik Center, despite being out-scored 23-21.

Saturday, October 27; The Eagles Visit Las Vegas

Following Friday night's game, the Eagles will hop on a bus to Las Vegas for the season's first meeting against the Wranglers. In a dozen match-ups last year, Colorado went 4-7-1 against the eventual Western Conference champs (being out-scored 59-39), but had some success in compiling a 3-4-0 record in Sin City; the high-flying foes will square off nine times this season.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

BE HOME EARLY - Colorado's early season schedule is "home heavy," as 10 of the first 12 games will take place at the Budweiser Events Center; their only two road games before mid-November will come this weekend. That should be good news for the Eagles who had one of the better home ice advantages in the league last year (21-12-3), and who have an all-time regular season record of 213-65-18 at the BEC (for a winning percentage of .750). However, the Eagles are just 1-3-1 through five games there to start the season, and their three-game winless streak is one away from matching the longest in team history.

NOTHING SPECIAL - Colorado has struggled on special teams this season, ranking 10th on the power play and 21st on the penalty kill. Making matters worse, they've allowed a league high three shorthanded goals, meaning that while the Eagles have a man advantage, their opponents have scored nearly as many goals (3) as they have (5). The two shorties allowed in Saturday night's loss tied a team record, set three other times.

3RD STRIKES - The Eagles have had a tough time in the third period so far this season. They held the lead after two periods of play in each of their first four games, but came away with just three points to show for it. They've been out-scored 12-3 in the final frame; no other team in the league has allowed more than eight third period goals.

1-2-3 PUNCH - The Eagles' offense has come primarily from their top line of Michael Forney, Chad Costello & Jack Combs so far this season, as the linemates have combined for 20 of the team's 41 points overall (49%). Forney's five goals are tied for the league lead & his 41.7% shooting percentage ranks 5th in the ECHL. While Costello & Combs are once again among the league's leading point producers, ranking tied for 4th and tied for 7th in the league respectively.

DOMINANT D-MAN - Another player off to a familiar hot start is veteran defenseman Aaron Schneekloth . The ECHL's reigning Defenseman of the Year is tied for the league lead among blueliners with five points (1-4-5) in as many games. His four assists are tied for second among defensemen.

DAAVETTILA'S DRY SPELL - Trent Daavettila came to Colorado with a well-earned reputation as a point producing machine; he leads all ECHL players over the past three seasons (including playoffs) in points. However, he has yet to earn a single point in five games this season, and his point-less streak stretches to six games if you count last year's playoffs. He had one four-game streak without a point in November last year, but other than that, he has had no fruitless streaks longer than three games since the beginning of the 2009-10 campaign.

OTHER HAPPENINGS

Fans' Vision All-Decade Team, Presented by the Eye Laser Center of Northern Colorado - Entering the 10th season of Colorado Eagles hockey, nearly 130 players have donned an Eagles jersey, and we're leaving it up to our fans to help choose the top six! Each month throughout the season, fans will be able to vote to select on position on the 6-member team. In addition to helping decide this historic team, fans who participate will have the chance to win several great prizes, highlighted by FREE LASIK, courtesy of the Eye Laser Center of Northern Colorado.

Coach's Shows At Lucky Joe's - The Colorado Eagles Coach's Show returns to Lucky Joe's Sidewalk Saloon in Old Town Fort Collins on select Monday evenings throughout the hockey season when the team's travel schedule allows (schedule below). This year's Coach's Show will run from 6-6:30, with the first 10 minutes live on 107.9 The Bear and the rest able to be heard on location or via the Colorado Eagles mobile app. Fans are encouraged to come to Lucky Joe's to meet the Eagles players in attendance (they'll be there starting at 5:30), get autographs, win prizes and stay up-to-date on all the news about the team, while also enjoying the venue's great food and drink specials.

Follow the Team on the Road - There are several ways to keep up with the Eagles when they're on the road. Every game can be heard on 107.9 The Bear for free or watched online via AmericaOne Sports. You can also follow the team by using the Colorado Eagles mobile app, available for iPhone and Android devices.

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ECHL Stories from October 22, 2012


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