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CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles are Northwest Division champs

March 9, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


Record This Week: 4-0-0 Home Record: 25-5-2

Overall Record: 41-16-4 Road Record: 16-11-2

WEEK IN REVIEW

Wednesday, March 3 Eagles 2 vs. Tulsa Oilers 1

Head coach Chris Stewart won his 200th Central Hockey League game, and the Eagles netted two short-handed goals in a 2-1 victory against Tulsa. The game marked the second time Eagles' goaltender Gian Baldrica has earned back-to-back wins. He saved 23 of 24 shots. For the first time in Eagles' history, the first period was scoreless and without penalties.

Friday, March 5 Eagles 4 vs. Oklahoma City Blazers 2

The Colorado Eagles clinched the Northwest Division title with a 4-2 victory over the Oklahoma City Blazers in front of a sold out crowd at the Budweiser Events Center. Eagles' leading scorer Greg Pankewicz beat his single-season scoring record with his 88th point. Center Riley Nelson netted two goals in the victory. For the first time all season Gian Baldrica made three consecutive starts, he saved 26 shots. The Eagles' players and Coach Chris Stewart were honored after the game in front of a few thousand screaming fans, and presented as the Northwest Division Champions.

Saturday, March 6 Eagles 5 vs. Fort Worth Brahmas 0

Ryan Bach shutout the Fort Worth Brahmas for his league-leading sixth shutout of the season. Five different players scored as the Eagles dominated the game from start to finish. Bach saved 25 shots in the shutout performance. Colorado has killed every penalty in the past seven games, and are second in the league in the penalty kill behind the Laredo Bucks. The Eagles' out shot Fort Worth 37-25.

Sunday, March 7 Eagles 4 vs. Fort Worth Brahmas 2

The Eagles won their fifth-straight game at the Budweiser Events Center to close out the regular season at home. Eagles' leading scorers, right wing Greg Pankewicz and center Riley Nelson extended their point-scoring streaks to 13 and 14 games, respectively. Eagles' goaltender Ryan Bach saved 24 shots, and his counterpart Nilsson saved 39-43 shots in the defeat. The Eagles sold out every single regular season home game this season (32).

WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, March 10 Eagles at Wichita Thunder 6:00 p.m. MST

Colorado takes on a Wichita team battling for a playoff spot with the Indianapolis Ice and the Memphis RiverKings. The Eagles are 4-3-0 against the Thunder. The game is the final meeting between the teams. Eagles' right winger Greg Pankewicz and Wichita's center Travis Clayton lead all scorers in the series with nine points each. Wichita beat the Eagles 4-3 the last time the teams played. Pankewicz netted two short-handed goals, but Wichita came back from a two-goal deficit in the third period to win. The Thunder are tied with the Memphis RiverKings for the third and fourth playoff spots with 72 points each. Indianapolis is only one point away.

Friday, March 12 Eagles at Indianapolis Ice 6:00 p.m. MST

Saturday, March 13 Eagles at Indianapolis Ice 4:00 p.m. MST

The Eagles beat the Ice by a score of 4-3 in both the November 21 and 22 games. Eagles' right winger Greg Pankewicz again leads all scorers with five points (1-4), his only goal was the game-winner in the first contest. Indianapolis is currently only one point behind Memphis and Wichita for the final playoff spot in the Northern Conference. Eagles' goaltender Ryan Bach has saved 64-70 shots in the two meetings.

NORTHWEST DIVISION CHAMPS

In their inaugural season, the Colorado Eagles have won the Northwest Division championship. They clinched the division on Friday night against the Oklahoma City Blazers, and join the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in the Northern Conference playoffs. The Eagles and Mudbugs are fighting for the top seed in the conference and home-ice advantage in the playoffs through the first two rounds. The Eagles are ahead by one point, but the Mudbugs have one game in hand. Colorado has the second-best home record (25-5-2) behind the Laredo Bucks (27-1-1).

NEW PLAYER

Defenseman Curtis Sheptak played in his first three games as an Eagle this week where he tallied two assists and is +3. Sheptak, 6' 3", 196 lbs., was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in round seven of the 1994 National Hockey League Entry Draft. From 1994-1998, he played his college days at Northern Michigan University with now-fellow teammate Lee Ruff. In four years as a Wildcat, Sheptak amassed 71 points (26-45) in 154 games. The Alberta native has played in the American Hockey League, International Hockey League, and most recently played in the Deutsche Eishockey League in Germany. He is 29, and is in his sixth professional season. Coach Chris Stewart coached Sheptak in junior hockey and is very excited for him to join the team. His versatility will play a major role. He not only can be a defenseman, but he can play left wing on the forward line as well.

SELLOUT STREAK CONTINUES...

The Eagles sold out all 32 home games this season. 166,752 fans have attended Eagles games at the Budweiser Events Center. Only Laredo (180,480) and Oklahoma City (263,390) have had more fans attend games.

COACH'S SHOW

The Coach's Show airs at Bennigan's in Ft. Collins on Monday, March 15 at 5:00 p.m. on 1410 am "The Zone." Join Coach Chris Stewart and announcers Tori Holt and Kevin McGlue for the latest on the Eagles and the playoff race.

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