CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles top Bucks 4-1 in game four, take 3-1 series lead

Published on May 3, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LAREDO, TX- The Colorado Eagles took a commanding three games to one lead over the defending champion Laredo Bucks in a 4-1 victory in Game Four of the CHL President's Cup finals. Four different Eagles scored, and Paulo Colaiacovo saved 24 of 25 shots in his first start in the championship series. The Eagles snapped Laredo's 15-game home-winning streak, and will now have a chance to clinch the cup with a victory in Game Five at the Laredo Entertainment Center on Wednesday night, May 4th.

The visiting Eagles quickly got on the board with a Ryan Tobler goal at the 1:31 mark. Tobler picked up a loose puck amidst some traffic in front of the net, and jammed the puck past Jeremy Symington for the 1-0 lead. The teams exchanged a few chances, but the Eagles unlikely playoff hero Lee Ruff scored his fifth goal of the post-season to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead at 16:25. The goal matched Ruff's goal total from the regular season, and would turn out to be the game winner. Colorado out shot the Bucks 12-6 in the period, and neither team was able to score on the power play, both having three chances.

Colorado struck twice quickly in the second period, scoring both goals within the first 3:03. Riley Nelson chipped a puck in on assists by Greg Pankewicz and Ryan Tobler at the 2:42 mark to take a 3-0 lead, and Chris Hartsburg gave the Eagles a 4-0 lead just 21 seconds later. Karlis Zirnis made an excellent saucer pass to a streaking Mike Lephart who got behind the defense and went stick side on Symington. The goaltender made the initial save, but Hartsburg was there to drive the rebound home and all but turn the lights out on the Bucks. Symington, who gave up four goals to the Eagles in Game Two, was pulled after the Eagles took the four-goal lead. The teams skated scoreless for the remainder of the period, and Colorado was out shooting Laredo 32-15 after two periods.

Laredo scored a quick power play goal 54 seconds into the third period to instill a little bit of life into the team. Brent Cullaton got a puck past Colaiacovo through traffic to cut the Eagles lead to 4-1. That would be all the scoring as the Eagles defense shut down the Bucks offensive pressure. Colorado finished 0 for 5 on the power play, while their opponents had one power play goal on five chances. The Eagles out shot Laredo 37-25, and took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven finals series.

The defending champion Bucks faced a 3-1 deficit in last season's finals series and came back to beat the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in overtime of Game Seven. Colorado has a chance to clinch the CHL title on Wednesday night, May 4th at the Laredo Entertainment Center. Tune in to 99.9 The Point, CHLTV.com, or Sportsjuice.com to listen to the Eagles quest for the 2005 Ray Miron President's Cup.

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Central Hockey League Stories from May 3, 2005


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