Eagles get defenisve, win in Amarillo
December 2, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release
AMARILLO, Texas - Colorado used a defensive game plan and some solid saves from Marco Emond (42-43) to beat Amarillo 3-1. After struggling on defense most of the season, the Eagles made a concerted effort to buckle down in their own end and it helped them earn a rare road win in Amarillo. The win gave Colorado a 3-0-2 record against the Gorillas this season as the game was the final meeting between the two teams this year.
Aaron Schneekloth got his team-leading 10th goal at 6:47 and Greg Pankewicz -- the Eagles' leading scorer -- picked up an assist to stretch his point streak to nine games (2-14-16). Schneekloth knocked in a Pankewicz rebound from in front of the net for a power play tally and the only goal of the period.
The second period maintained the defensive theme as both netminders kept the puck out of their respective nets -- McWhinney, especially, made some big stops to keep the game close. Bill Vandermeer, the Gorillas' hero a night earlier (game-tying and game-winning goals), was awarded a penalty shot just 61 seconds into the period, but shot wide of the net.
The scoring resumed in the third as Chris Lipsett -- the Gorillas' leading scorer -- tied the game at one with a power play goal at 5:34. Steve Haddon, on the penalty kill, tried to hit Pankewicz with a long pass from his own zone, but the pass was picked off at the blue line and sent toward Emond before Lipsett put in the rebound. Colorado took the lead again at 9:03 with their first short-handed goal of the year (after setting a CHL record with 30 last season). Nelson swung into the offensive zone in pursuit of the puck, corralled it in the right circle and skated in on McWhinney before putting the puck past the goalie. At 11:25, Nelson got an insurance goal when he snapped a Schneekloth pass from the corner past McWhinney from the low slot, and the Eagles kept up their strong defensive play to make sure that's how the game would end.
The Eagles now head home for two games next weekend against the Thunder on Friday and the Mudbugs on Saturday.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2007
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