CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles Cruise to 7-2 Victory over Youngstown

Published on March 30, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LOVELAND, Colo.- Riley Nelson had a hat trick in the Colorado Eagles 7-2 win over the Youngstown SteelHounds Friday night in game one of the Northern Conference Quarter-Finals at the Budweiser Events Center. Colorado scored six unanswered goals and did not allow a goal after the 11:31 mark of the first period. Ryan Tobler collected two goals and Marco Emond stopped 29 of 31 shots for the Eagles as they head into game two with a 1-0 lead over the SteelHounds in the best-of-seven series. Jeff Christian and Stephen Margeson each scored for the SteelHounds and Brad Roberts stopped 22 of 29 shots in the loss. The two teams will face off again Saturday night at the Budweiser Events Center for game two. The game will be televised on Altitude Sports & Entertainment starting at 7:00 p.m.

Only 50 seconds into the opening period, Jeff Christian got the SteelHounds on the board when he wristed a rebound into the back of the net. He was assisted by Jeff Alcombrack and Mark Odut and the goal marked the fastest goal against the Eagles in their playoff history. Colorado answered when Riley Nelson intercepted a Kelly Sickavish pass and beat SteelHounds' goaltender Brad Roberts. It was an unassisted goal and Nelson's 14th playoff goal in his history with the Eagles. Youngstown took a couple penalties minutes later giving the Eagles a five-on-three for 1:30. The Eagles were unable to capitalize on the power play, and shortly after, amatuer pickup Brett Thurston was whistled for a penalty. It took the Hounds only 20 seconds in the ensuing penalty to take a 2-1 lead when Stephen Margeson found space and beat Eagles' goaltender Marco Emond for a power play goal. Colorado tied the game at two on a goal by Ryan Tobler when he came around from the back of the net and was left with some space to lift the puck over the shoulder of Roberts. After one period, the teams were tied at two.

At the 6:27 mark of the second period, Craig Strain slapped shot from just inside the blueline that was tipped by Ed McGrane and into the back of the net. The goal gave Colorado their first lead of the game at 3-2. Colorado earned their second five-on-three of the period just two minutes later, but were again unable to capitalize on the chance. Youngstown earned their first five-on-three of the period at the 12:38 mark, but they couldn't convert on the power play either. In the ensuing five-on-four, the Eagles pressured Youngstown in their own zone and forced a turnover. Chris Hartsburg fed Riley Nelson across the crease and Nelson scored his second goal of the game. The Eagles took their three unanswered goals and 4-2 lead into the second intermission. After two periods, the SteelHounds were outshooting the Eagles 23-20.

The Eagles scored two quick goals in the third period to add to their lead. Brent Hughes blasted a shot from the right circle under the right blocker of Roberts to give the Eagles a 5-2 lead. Only 10 seconds later, Riley Nelson banged in a rebound for his third goal of the game, a hat trick. It marked the first hat trick in Eagles playoff history and the goals 10 seconds apart marked the fastest two goals in team playoff history. In the final minute of the game, with the Eagles on the power play, Ryan Tobler ripped a slapshot in the net for his second goal of the game. Final score: Eagles 7 - SteelHounds 2.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2007


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