CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles Move Into First With Shootout Win Over 'Hounds

Published on March 8, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles moved into first place in the Northwest Division - with an even number of games played - for the first time this season with their nail-biting, 4-3, shootout win against the Youngstown SteelHounds. Colorado carried the majority of the play, out-shooting the SteelHounds 53-26 and converting three of six power-play chances, but an Eric Przepiorka shot from the blue line late in the third found its way into the net to send the game into extra time.

The Eagles and SteelHounds exchanged goals in the first - the Eagles on a power play, the ‘Hounds just as one expired. All-Star goaltender, Andy Franck, kept the game from getting away from Youngstown with several quality stops on the Eagles 18 shots, but the Eagles' two All-Stars teamed up to give Colorado a 1-0 lead with a power play goal at 10:19. Greg Pankewicz circled up the left-wing boards and sent a pass from the top of the circle to Aaron Schneekloth at the top of the right circle. Schneekloth one-timed an absolute laser past Franck for the game's opening goal. Joel Irving answered with his 23rd goal of the season at 14:04, five seconds after Ed McGrane's hooking penalty ran out. Irving skated along the goal line to the left of Bryan Bridges and snuck a shot inside the post to even up the score.

The power-play theme continued in the second as the teams combined for three man-advantage markers. The Eagles almost made it 2-1 just minutes into the period when the puck snuck under Franck's pads and slid to a stop before fully crossing the goal line, but the SteelHounds missed an equally golden opportunity as another penalty expired and they skated down on Bridges with a two-on-zero breakaway that failed to convert as Pankewicz back-checked to break up the play just in the knick of time. Youngstown finally made it 2-1 with their power play goal at 15:21 as Irving sent a pass from along the goal line to Bridges' right, to Kurtis Dulle low in the right circle for a one-timer into the empty half of the net.

Colorado tied it up at 2 with the first of their two second period goals at 16:39. Riley Nelson entered the zone along the left-wing boards and sent a pass to Schneekloth at the point. Schneekloth unleashed another rocket at Franck, and Ryan Tobler deflected it past the goaltender from in front. Nelson made it 3-2 at 19:23 due to a defensive breakdown on another power play.; the ‘Hounds defense split wide open and Nelson walked into the slot and unloaded an uncontested shot from between the hashes that beat Franck.

The Eagles seemed to be salting away another win in the third until an innocent shot from directly on top of the blue line slipped through Bridges and dribbled into the net at 16:18. The Eagles held on the rest of the way and had a chance to end the game in regulation when Mark Odut was called for high-sticking with 36.1 seconds left, but they couldn't get the winner in the final moments and the game went to overtime.

Colorado again dominated the overtime period, out-shooting the SteelHounds 7-1, but failed to score on the carry-over of the power play and the Eagles entered into their 5th shootout of the season.

Seth Leonard, as the first shooter, got the Eagles off to a flying start by beating Franck top shelf, improving his shootout percentage to three-for-four on the season. Irving, though knotted it up by coming in slow and cutting across the ice to his right before going top shelf on the down-and-out Bridges (similar to Pankewicz's goal on Marco Emond earlier this week). Scott Polaski missed his chance, and then Bridges absolutely robbed Jason Baird. Baird attempted a move similar to Irving's, but Bridges reached up at the last moment and got a piece of the shot with his stick while lying on his stomach. Brad Williamson, Chris Richards, McGrane, Steve Birnstill, Schneekloth and Bryan Lachapelle were all unsuccessful before Nelson beat Franck for the go-ahead goal and Bridges shut down Przepiorka to seal the win.

The Eagles will now face-off with the Rage with the division lead on the line when the teams take part in a home-and-home set this Tuesday and

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 8, 2008


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