Eagles One Win Away from Advancing to North Division Finals
April 15, 2015 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Soo Eagles News Release
The Soo Eagles not only stole home ice advantage from the Keystone Ice Miners last Friday with a 6-1 victory, they took command of the series with a 1-0 overtime victory on Saturday night, and look close out their best-of-five North Division semifinal series this weekend at Pullar Stadium.
It's "Pack the Pullar" weekend, as the Eagles will host Keystone in Game Three of their series, Friday night at 7:30 p.m. If you can't make it to the game, you can catch all the action, live or on-demand on www.fasthockey.com.
With a victory the Eagles would advance to the North Division Finals, where they would take on either the Janesville Jets or the Michigan Warriors. Janesville leads that best-of-five series, 2-0.
If necessary, Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th at 7:00 p.m. at the Pullar, and Game 5 on Monday, April 20 at Keystone.
The Eagles have a balanced scoring attack so far in the post season, with Sandis Zolmanis, Raymond Brice, Darren Brady, and Matt Menta, and Denver Pierce tallying two points each. Brady is also a +6 so far in two games, while Michael Caruso is a +5. LordAnthony Grissom has netted the only goal for the Ice Miners, while Michael Maiden and Niko Coffman each have an assist. Chad Catt has posted eye dropping numbers so far in this series, with a 2-0 record, a goals against average 0.48 and a save percentage of .985. Nick Kosoff is 0-1 in the series, with a goals against average of 2.19, and a save percentage of .892. Alex Blankenburg has the other loss for the Ice Miners, posting a goals against average of 12.72 and a save percentage of .500. Those numbers are in only 14 minutes of action.
Game 1: Soo Eagles 6, Keystone Ice Miners 1 - Friday, April 10, 2015
The Soo Eagles grabbed home ice-advantage in their North Division semifinal series, thanks to an efficient 6-1 Game 1, win on Friday night in Keystone. It didn't take long for the Eagles to take control of the game, as they netted three goals in the 1st period, which chased Keystone starting goalie Alex Blankenburg from the game. Brad Pung scored the opening goal and Matt Menta added the next two to make it 3-0 after one period. The lead swelled to 4-0, thanks to an early goal in the 2nd period from Darren Brady. Keystone would get on the board later in the period with their only tally of the night from LordAnthony Grissom. In the 3rd period, two more Soo goals from Sandis Zolmanis and Raymond Brice would secure the 6-1 win and series lead. Chad Catt was very good in the win, making 34 saves. Blankenburg took the loss, making three saves and Nick Kossoff made 13 saves in relief. You can see the box score here.
Game 2: Soo Eagles 1, Keystone Ice Miners 0 (0T) - Saturday, April 11, 2015
In a classic playoff goaltending duel, Soo Eagles goalie Chad Catt bested Keystone Ice Miners goalie Nick Kossoff, thanks to a 32-save shutout as the Eagles grabbed a commanding 2-0 lead, with a 1-0 overtime win in Game 2 on Saturday. You can see that goal here. The game featured just three minor penalties, as neither team nor goalie yielding anything through regulation. However, it did not take long for the game-winner to emerge in overtime as Trevor Cope skated his way through the Keystone defense and let go a shot from the slot that got past a screened Kossoff for the overtime-winner. Sandis Zolmanis and Dan Weaver picked up assists on the winner. The Eagles are now up 2-0 as the best of five series heads to the Soo. You can see the box score here.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2015
- Eagles One Win Away from Advancing to North Division Finals - Soo Eagles
- Robertson Cup Playoff - Division Semifinal Updates - NAHL
- Vote for Pullar Stadium for the Chance to Win $150,000 - Soo Eagles
- Runners Rally, Advance to Finals - Topeka Pilots
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