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CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles Week In Review

December 3, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


Week In Review

Friday, November 30; Scorpions Snap 10-Game Losing Streak Against Eagles

RIO RANCHO, N.M. - The New Mexico Scorpions defeated the Colorado Eagles 4-3 to break a 10-game losing streak against the President's Cup champs. Craig Macdonald had two goals for the Scorpions -- one the game-winner -- and New Mexico used its power play to score all four goals in the win. The Eagles remain seven points behind the Rocky Mountain Rage in the Northwest Division as the Rage fell by the same score to the Arizona Sundogs. Mitch Stephens put New Mexico on top early when he backhanded a Michael Kolarz rebound past Marco Emond for a power play goal at 5:15 of the first period. The Eagles went down two men when at 15:18, Leonard was called for roughing (only his second penalty of the season), and 31 seconds later, Emond was called for delay of game as he played the puck at the edge of the trapezoid behind the goal line. The Scorpions converted with just 11 seconds left on Leonard's penalty to make it 2-1 when Macdonald put the puck past the Eagles' goalie from in close for their second power play goal of the period; New Mexico entered the game with the sixth-best home power play in the league at 23.2 percent. Colorado went into the second intermission trailing 3-2, with a record of 1-5-1 when trailing after two periods this season, but knowing that they had won the last 10 meetings against the Scorpions. But 3-4 is as close as Colorado would come as they were involved in yet another one-goal game; 10 of their 16 games this season have been decided by a single score (5-3-2).

Saturday, December 1; Vandermeer Leads Gorillas Past Eagles in OT

AMARILLO, Texas - Amarillo's Bill Vandermeer scored four points and two goals -- one to force overtime and one to end it -- to lead the Gorillas over the Eagles, 6-5, in overtime in the first of back-to-back meetings between the teams in Amarillo. The tightly contested game featured a battle of backup goaltenders as Colorado's Ian Keserich went up against Amarillo's Dan Bauer and neither team held a multiple-goal lead at any point. The Gorillas out-shot the Eagles 23-13 in the first, but Colorado scored three times off those shots and the teams went into the first intermission with a total of six goals between them. After six goals were scored in the first, the teams combined for two in the second, but the game remained tied. The teams combined for two goals again in the third as the game went into overtime. Polaski got his second goal of the evening after a great play by defenseman Brad Williamson. Williamson skated the puck into the Gorillas' zone and down low before throwing the puck on net. After Bauer struggled with the initial save, Polaski and Williamson jammed at the puck before Polaski nudged it in. At 14:39, Vandermeer got his third point of the night when he one-timed a Martini pass from below the goal line to force the extra frame. Vandermeer ended the game just 58 seconds into the overtime period with his second goal in about five minutes.

Sunday, December 2; Eagles Get Defensive, Win in Amarillo

AMARILLO, Texas - Colorado used a defensive game plan and some solid saves from Marco Emond (42-43) to beat Amarillo 3-1. After struggling on defense most of the season, the Eagles made a concerted effort to buckle down in their own end and it helped them earn a rare road win in Amarillo. The win gave Colorado a 3-0-2 record against the Gorillas this season as the game was the final meeting between the two teams this year. Aaron Schneekloth got his team-leading (until the third period) 10th goal at 6:47 and Greg Pankewicz -- the Eagles' leading scorer -- picked up an assist to stretch his point streak to nine games (the longest assist streak in franchise history). Schneekloth knocked in a Pankewicz rebound from in front of the net for a power play tally and the only goal of the period. The second period maintained the defensive theme as both netminders kept the puck out of their respective nets -- McWhinney, especially, made some big stops to keep the game close. Bill Vandermeer, the Gorillas' hero a night earlier (game-tying and game-winning goals), was awarded a penalty shot just 61 seconds into the period, but shot wide of the net. The scoring resumed in the third as Chris Lipsett -- the Gorillas' leading scorer -- tied the game at one with a power play goal at 5:34. Colorado took the lead again at 9:03 with their first short-handed goal of the year (after setting a CHL record with 30 last season). Nelson swung into the offensive zone in pursuit of the puck, corralled it in the right circle and skated in on McWhinney before putting the puck past the goalie. At 11:25, Nelson got an insurance goal when he snapped a Schneekloth pass from the corner past McWhinney from the low slot, and the Eagles kept up their strong defensive play to make sure that's how the game would end.

The Week Ahead

Friday, December 7; Thunder, Eagles Meet for First Time This Season

This will be the first meeting of the season between the Thunder and the Eagles. Wichita currently has the fewest points of any team in the league (8) and resides 13 points behind Colorado in the Northwest Division. The Thunder will also be looking for their first road point(s) of the season. Offense appears to be Wichita's problem, as their 27 goals coming into the week are the fewest in the CHL. The Colorado Eagles are pairing up with the US Marines of Colorado to host Toys for Tots for both of this weekend's games. Fans are encouraged to bring new toys in their original packaging or a cash donation to drop off with the Marines on entrance. All the toys will then be distributed throughout northern Colorado in an effort to help unfortunate children have a brighter holiday season.

Saturday, December 8; Mudbugs Make Visit to Budweiser Events Center

Bossier-Shreveport will also be playing Colorado for the first time this year over the weekend. The Mudbugs are currently tied for last place in the strong Northeast Division despite their 20 points, and they have a higher winning percentage (.588) than the Eagles (.583). The Mudbugs are the only current CHL team -- other than the Eagles -- with a winning all-time record in the Budweiser Events Center (5-3-0). The Colorado Eagles are pairing up with the US Marines of Colorado to host Toys for Tots for both of this weekend's games. Fans are encouraged to bring new toys in their original packaging or a cash donation to drop off with the Marines on entrance. All the toys will then be distributed throughout northern Colorado in an effort to help unfortunate children have a brighter holiday season.

Notable Numbers

Safe (with a lead) at First - The Eagles are 5-0-0 when leading after the first period. Moreover, when they're tied or leading after two periods of play, they have a record of 7-0-2. However, when Colorado is trailing after the second frame, they're just 1-6-1.

Four or More - The Eagles are 6-1-3 when scoring at least four goals. They're 1-0-1 when scoring four, 2-0-2 when scoring five and 3-1-0 when scoring six or more. Their only regulation loss in that bunch came opening weekend, when they dropped a 7-6 decision in Arizona. On the other hand, Colorado is 2-5-0 when failing to reach four scores.

Winning Goals - Riley Nelson has accounted for one-third of Colorado's game-winning goals. His three game-winners have come October 26 vs. Arizona, November 16 vs. Oklahoma City and December 2 at Amarillo.

Pankewicz Goes Streaking - Eagles' captain Greg Pankewicz is riding a franchise-record assist streak of nine games. Since facing Arizona on November 9, Pankewicz has put up 13 assists and added two goals. Pankewicz did not play in the Eagles' game on November 17, as he was serving a one-game suspension.

Get Shorty - Riley Nelson scored the Eagles' first short-handed goal of the year with a third period tally December 2 at Amarillo. At this point last season, Colorado had 13 shorties on their way to a CHL-record 30.

One-Goal Games - Eleven of Colorado's 18 games (61.1 percent) have been decided by just one goal, and their record in such games is 5-3-3. When games are not as tight, the Eagles have fared better, going 4-3-0 -- winning every game decided by a margin of three or more.

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