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CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles, Ulanski Stay Hot in Another Win

December 19, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles increased their winning streak to six games -- and their league-leading winning percentage to .804 -- with a 6-4 victory over the Missouri Mavericks. Sticking with that theme, Kevin Ulanski added three points (2-1-3) on the night, increasing his league-leading point total to 43.

The Mavericks got off to a fast start -- quite literally -- as Nick Sirota scored just 15 seconds in, one second shy of the fastest goal ever scored against the Eagles to start a game. On the play, Simon Watson sent a pass from the middle of the right faceoff circle to Sirota crashing the net. He then added a second goal exactly two minutes later -- again from the doorstep -- when Derek Pallardy found him with a pass from the right wing boards.

The Eagles spent the majority of the opening frame killing penalties, but still held such an offensive advantage that they ended the period with a 17-13 edge in shots. And once the teams were at even strength, Colorado spent the majority of the time in the offensive zone, climbing into the lead with three goals in the final 15 minutes of the frame.

Ed McGrane got Colorado on the scoreboard at 5:04 by using a burst of speed to pick up a loose puck just outside the offensive blue line. McGrane then fought through a hook and beat Doug Groenestege with a shot from the slot.

Steve Haddon then tied it at 2 with a 4-on-4 goal at 16:56 when the Missouri goaltender kicked a Jason Lundmark point shot into the left circle and right into Haddon's wheelhouse. The red hot Ulanski then put the home team on top 50 seconds later. Aaron Schneekloth almost scored as he skated through a hook in the slot, but the puck ended up in the right corner where Ulanski picked it up. The Eagles winger then skated into the right circle and snapped it short-side for a power-play tally.

The Mavericks scored another pair of quick goals to start the second and re-take the lead, 4-3. Both goals came on wraparound chances, with the first coming off the stick of former-Eagle Brett Hammond at 1:29 and the second coming from Bill Vandermeer on a power play at 2:56.

But Ulanski knotted the game back up at 7:34 with a great shorthanded goal that chased Groenestege from the Missouri net. The Eagles winger skated down the right wing before cutting to the low slot and beating the Mavs' netminder 5-hole.

Alexandre Vincent took over between the pipes for Missouri and held Colorado off the scoreboard until 17:58 into the second when Ryan Tobler picked up his sixth power-play goal of the year. The veteran forward put the home team back in the lead with a shot under the pads of Vincent from the right side of the crease after receiving a pass from Ulanski behind the net.

The Eagles added a sixth goal at 14:32 of the third, just after a power play had expired, when Haddon's shot from the right circle deflected past the Missouri netminder. Andrew Penner was strong down the stretch as the Mavericks attempted a comeback, stopping all seven shots in the period -- some on sensational saves.

The win was Penner's eight in a row -- the fourth-longest winning streak in team history -- and the team has won 10 of its past 11. The two teams will meet again on Saturday night.

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