ECHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles Make Big Comeback, Defeat Reign in Shootout 6-5

February 22, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


ONTARIO, Calif. -The Colorado Eagles (34-18-0-2) came back from a 5-2 deficit in the third period to defeat the Ontario Reign (30-15-3-5), 6-5 in a shootout, on Sunday afternoon at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Eagles forward Taylor Vause netted the first goal of the game as he punched home a rebound from the top of the crease to give Colorado the 1-0 edge over Ontario just 3:13 into the first frame. Colorado caught a bad break as Ontario forward Mike DiPaolo came out of the penalty box and took the puck down the ice on a breakaway and beat Eagles netminder Clarke Saunders five-hole to tie the game 1-1, 9:15 into the first. Ontario forward Maxim Kitsyn caught a bad turnover from the Eagles and found the back of the net to take the 2-1 lead over Colorado with just under three minutes left in the first.

Just under five minutes into the second period, Vause netted his second goal of the game as he pulled Ontario goalie Adam Brown off to the side of the crease and skirted his way around Brown to tie the game, 2-2. Ontario answered less than one minute later as forward Norm Ezekiel stuffed the puck, five-hole, to take back the lead 3-2.

Ontario would catch yet another break as forward Rocco Carzo came out of the penalty box and scored much the same as DiPaolo's earlier goal to give the Reign the 4-2 advantage, 3:26 into the third stanza. Reign forward Matt Register took advantage of another Eagles turnover as he put the puck past Saunders from the high slot to give Ontario the 5-2 lead with just over six minutes left in the third period. Eagles forward Trent Daavettila answered less than two minutes later as he picked up a rebound to bring the Eagles back within two, 5-3. Less than one minute later, Eagles defenseman Teigan Zahn scored his second goal of the season with a shot from between the hashes to beat Brown top-shelf, 5-4. With only 38.6 seconds remaining in regulation, Eagles forward Greg Gardner tied the game, 5-5, with help from his linemates Brock Nixon and Nathan Moon as Saunders was pulled for a sixth attacker on the ice for Colorado.

The two teams headed into a scoreless 4-on-4 sudden death overtime which sent them into a shootout. The lone shootout goal was scored by Gardner as Saunders made five big saves to win this match-up in the shootout, 6-5.

Tickets to all Colorado Eagles home games are on sale and start at just $16 per seat. Contact the Eagles ticket office at 970-686-SHOT (7468) or visit www.ComcastTix.com to reserve your seats today and be part of the action!

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