CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles escape with 3-2 win over Thunder

Published on January 22, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LOVELAND, CO – The two top teams in the Central Hockey League battled Friday night at the Budweiser Events Center, and they did not disappoint the sold out crowd of 5,289. The first place Colorado Eagles scored three unanswered goals to beat the Wichita Thunder 3-2 and win their ninth consecutive game. Eagles right wing Greg Pankewicz tallied two goals including the game winner at the 11:04 mark of the third period. Defenseman Paul Esdale had both goals for the Thunder in the defeat. The Eagles improved their CHL-leading record to 26-5-5 for 57 points, and have not lost since the first day of 2005. Tyler Weiman won his 12th consecutive game saving 26 of 28 shots, and his counterpart Jason Flick saved 19 of 22 shots.

Paul Esdale picked up a loose puck at the top of the slot and scored the first goal of the game, a power play goal at the 11:06 mark of the first period. It was the first time in eight games the Eagles didn't score the first goal of the game. Exactly four minutes later, Colorado was forced to kill a five-on-three for 1:06 when Grosul took a penalty for holding. The first ranked penalty kill in the CHL expelled the penalty and went into the locker trailing the Thunder 1-0. Wichita out shot the Eagles 9-6 in the period.

Derek Parker and Greg Pankewicz took matching penalties 2:38 into the second period, and the Thunder earned a 2-0 lead in the ensuing four-on-four play. Paul Esdale scored his second goal of the game on a puck that was bouncing all around the crease. He flipped a wrist shot over Weiman, and Jason Duda and Travis Clayton got the assists. The Eagles fought back and Greg Pankewicz cut the lead in half on a Wichita turnover at the top of the slot. Pankewicz let one loose and beat Flick glove side for his team-leading 24th goal of the season. The period continued to be marred by penalties, but it was the Eagles that won the battle of the power play when Riley Nelson tied the game at the 16:37 mark of the period. He was assisted by Greg Pankewicz and Matt Desrosiers. Both Pankewicz and Nelson continued their point streaks to 14 games respectively. After two periods, the teams were tied 2-2, a total of 25 penalties were called; Wichita was 1-6 on the power play, Colorado, 1-9.

The Eagles and Thunder continued to battle in the third period as each team had chances to score the go-ahead goal. Captain Greg Pankewicz on a great feed from Ryan Tobler scored the go-ahead goal at the 11:04 mark of the third period. Riley Nelson also assisted on the play. The Thunder kept pounding away, and Brad Williamson took a penalty at the 18:18 mark to give Wichita a power play in the final 1:42 of the game. Goalie Jason Flick left the ice and the Thunder had a six-on-four advantage in the final minute. Paul Esdale shot a one-timer to the back of the net, but it was just a split second too late, and the Eagles escaped with the 3-2 victory.

The first place Eagles take on the Fort Worth Brahmas tomorrow night at the Budweiser Events Center. They will then travel to Topeka for back-to-back games against the Tarantulas next weekend, January 28th and 29th.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 22, 2005


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