CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles Week in Review

Published on March 19, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


Week In Review

Tuesday, March 13 Eagles 6 vs. Oklahoma City Blazers 1

The Colorado Eagles clinched the Northwest Division title for the fourth straight season with a decisive 6-1 victory over the Oklahoma City Blazers Tuesday night at the Budweiser Events Center. Captain Greg Pankewicz returned to the ice for Colorado and tallied two assists in his first game after missing the previous 46 contests. Ed McGrane had two goals including the game winner and added an assist and Marco Emond stopped 24 of 25 shots in net for the Eagles.

Friday, March 16 Eagles 3 at Youngstown SteelHounds 2

The Colorado Eagles defeated the Youngstown SteelHounds Friday night 3-2 at the Chevrolet Centre. The Eagles' three goals were scored within the first two minutes of each period and they improved their record to 43-15-1 remaining in first place in the Central Hockey League. Marco Emond saved 35 of 37 shots in his 27th win of the season and the Eagles remain undefeated against the SteelHounds all-time. The SteelHounds scored two third period goals to make it a one-goal game, but couldn't score the equalizer.

Saturday, March 17 Eagles 2 at Youngstown SteelHounds 1

The Eagles defeated the SteelHounds 2-1 Saturday night at the Chevrolet Centre. The Eagles came back from a one-goal deficit to win their fourth straight game and increase their lead in the Central Hockey League. Colorado has not lost a game to the SteelHounds in two seasons and they improved their record to 44-15-1 tying their record for most wins in a season. Riley Nelson scored his 500th career point on the Eagles first goal of the game and Paulo Colaiacovo saved 25 of 26 shots in the win.

Sunday, March 18 Eagles 2 at Youngstown SteelHounds 3

In their third try in as many days, the Youngstown SteelHounds finally defeated the Colorado Eagles 3-2 Sunday afternoon at the Chevrolet Centre. The game marked the first win in nine tries for the SteelHounds against the Eagles in their two-year history. Chris Richards scored the game-winning goal with 4:39 remaining in the final period on a shorthanded goal. David Currie saved 16 of 18 shots in net for the SteelHounds as the Eagles were only able to muster 18 shots for the second straight game. The tide changed when Jeff Alcombrack scored a goal with two seconds remaining in the second period tying the game at two. Riley Nelson scored both of the Eagles goals, both on the power play. He now has a career-high 39 goals this season.

Week Ahead

Wednesday, March 21 vs. Lubbock Cotton Kings, 7:05 p.m. MST Radio: 107.9 The Bear

The Eagles play their final home game of the season Wednesday night at Fan Appreciation Night. The Eagles are 2-0 this season against the Cotton Kings having outscored them 11-3 in the two contests. Colorado is 12-2-2 all-time against the Cotton Kings and they are 5-1-2 at the Budweiser Events Center. Ed McGrane and Ryan Tobler lead all scorers in the season series with six points each.

Friday, March 23 at New Mexico Scorpions, 7:35 p.m. MST Radio: 107.9 The Bear

The Eagles are undefeated against the Scorpions in six games this season including 2-0 at the Santa Ana Star Center. Colorado has defeated the Scorpions more than any other team in the CHL with an all-time record of 21-2-4. Ed McGrane leads all scorers in the series with 11 points on three goals and eight assists.

Sunday, March 18 at Arizona Sundogs, 7:00 p.m. MST Radio: 107.9 The Bear

This is last game of the regular season for both teams. The home team has won every game in the series to this point. Colorado is 4-3 against the Sundogs this season but have been outscored 14-7 at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.

Eagles Team Leaders

Goals: Nelson 39 Shots: McGrane 249

Assists: Williamson 54 SH Pct: Pankewicz .297 - leads CHL

Points: Nelson 85 Shootout G: Nelson 2

+/-: Nelson +37 Wins: Emond 26

PIM: Filipic 270 GAA: Emond 2.49

PPG: Nelson 17 Saves: Emond 983

SHG: Nelson 8 - leads CHL Save Pct: Emond .921

GWG: McGrane 9 - leads CHL Minutes: Emond 2025:07

Streaks- Riley Nelson 5 games (3-4-7)

PANKEWICZ RETURNS- Eagles captain Greg Pankewicz returned to the ice on Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Blazers. He has now played in four games after missing the previous 46 due to injury. In his four games back, Pankewicz has picked up right where he left off scoring in three of the four contests including a goal and an assist on Tuesday vs. the Blazers. Pankewicz now has 19 goals and 14 assists in just 15 games played this season.

END OF YEAR FINALISTS- The Eagles have finalists in three of the four CHL Awards voted on by CHL coaches, staff and media members. Riley Nelson is a finalist for the MVP, Marco Emond is a finalist for goaltender of the year and Brad Williamson is a finalist for defenseman of the year.

500 AND COUNTING...- Riley Nelson scored his 500th career point Saturday night against the Youngstown SteelHounds. Nelson is in his seventh professional season and is having a career year. He has a career-high 39 goals and 85 points this season, and he is just three assists from tying his career-high in assists. The Eagles all-time leading scorer, Nelson now has 320 points (132-188-320) with the Eagles and 502 (220-282-502) for his career.

CRUNCH TIME- In the final week of the season, the Eagles are still in the lead for their unprecedented third straight Governors' Cup. Colorado leads the Laredo Bucks by two points and the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs by three points. The Eagles magic number is five, meaning they need a combination of five points by either Eagles wins or Laredo/Bossier losses to win their third straight league title.

CONGRATULATIONS REED- Eagles PA Announcer Reed Saunders was named the new PA Announcer for the Colorado Rockies this past week. Reed was selected out of more than 250 applicants, but he will remain with the Eagles as their PA Announcer as well.

FOUR STRAIGHT- The Eagles clinched their fourth straight Northwest Division Title Tuesday night in their win over the Oklahoma City Blazers. Colorado has won the division in each of their four seasons. They will be either a #1 or #2 seed in the playoffs and will have home-ice advantage for at least the first playoff series.

Eagles on The Bear- Every Colorado Eagles game can be heard on the new home of the Colorado Eagles, 107.9 The Bear. All Eagles games will also be streamed online at www.1079thebear.com.

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2007


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