Eagles Week In Review
Published on October 20, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release
Week In Review
Monday, October 13; Eagles Acquire Reeder's Rights From New Mexico
WINDSOR, Colo. - The Central Hockey League's Northern Conference champion Colorado Eagles announced today that they've acquired the rights to the league's second-leading scorer from last season - Konrad Reeder; New Mexico receives the rights to Seth Leonard. Reeder, who registered five points (1-4-5) in last year's All-Star Game (tied for second-most in the game), is coming off his most successful season as a pro.
The 5-foot-9-inch developmental winger ranked among the league's leaders in several offensive categories last season, including: points (2nd, 108), goals (3rd, 41), assists (3rd, 67), power-play goals (5th, 14), power-play assists (6th, 25), short-handed goals (3rd, 6) and short-handed assists (4th, 4). He was also second on the Scorpions with a plus-21 plus/minus rating. Over the past two seasons, Reeder has registered 146 points (58-88-146) in 107 games.
Tuesday, October 14; Eagles Trade Woods, Waive Bittle; Roster at 20
WINDSOR, Colo. - The Central Hockey League's Northern Conference champion Colorado Eagles announced today that they've traded defenseman Brad Woods to Wichita for future considerations and waived rookie forward Logan Bittle. Colorado now has 20 players on their roster and must cut that number down to 19 by the league's deadline of October 16.
Wednesday, October 15; Colorado Reaches 19-Man Roster Limit, Waives McNulty
WINDSOR, Colo. - The Central Hockey League's Northern Conference champion Colorado Eagles announced today that they've waived developmental goaltender Kyle McNulty. Colorado now has 19 players on their roster - the number required by the league's deadline of October 16.
Thursday, October 16; Eagles Waive Forward Jankus, Filipic Placed on IR
WINDSOR, Colo. - The Central Hockey League's Northern Conference champion Colorado Eagles announced today that they've waived developmental forward Jon Jankus, bringing the number of players on their roster to 18. It was also announced today that forward Fraser Filipic will begin the season on the 30-day injured reserve list.
Thursday, October 16; Now's Your Chance to Have an Ultimate Eagles Wedding
Fans, do you think you are the ultimate Eagles fan?
Well now is your chance to prove it and make your dream come true. The Colorado Eagles will be hosting the "Ultimate Eagles Wedding" in front of 5,289 of your fellow Eagles fans during the first intermission of the Eagles home game against the Mississippi RiverKings on February 14, 2009.
The winning couple will be married by the Eagles' very own public address announcer, Reed Saunders, with wedding festivities including six (6) tickets to that night's game to be spent on the Eagles' Fanboni, Slapshot serving as the ring-bearer, and a reception in the Champion Auto Group Executive Club with cake and champagne toasts (further details to be provided in the coming months).
All you need to do is submit your 500-word essay (with photos of bride and groom) or video* (not to exceed two (2) minutes in length) by December 5, 2008 explaining why you are the biggest Eagles fan and why that entitles you to win the "Ultimate Eagles Wedding."
Friday, October 17; Reminder About Season Office and Merchandise Hours
Fans,
With the season now upon us, we'd like to remind you about the hours of operation for both our main office and merchandise store in Water Valley. Below you can find a complete schedule for both:
Main Office
Our main office will keep normal business hours (8:30-5, Mon-Fri) throughout the season.
Merchandise Store
Our merchandise store will keep normal business hours (8:30-5, Mon-Fri), except for on game days when we will close at 3 p.m. For weekdays after a game day, the merchandise store will not open until 10 a.m.
If you have any questions, please call us at (970) 686-SHOT (7468).
Friday, October 17; Eagles Win Opener in Shootout With Rush
LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles defeated the Rapid City Rush in the season opener for both clubs, 7-6, in a shootout. The high-scoring, back-and-forth contest had plenty of significance for both franchises. For the Rush, it was the first regular season game in franchise history. For the Eagles, it was the first regular season game with the franchise's second head coach - Kevin McClelland. The pre-game ceremonies included the Eagles' fifth consecutive Northwest Division championship banner joining the others in the Budweiser Events Center rafters and former head coach (now just president & general manager) Chris Stewart throwing a water bottle on the ice from the bench one final time as McClelland joined him in a "changing of the guards" type of ceremony.
Saturday, October 18; Reeder Signs, Will Play Tonight For Colorado
WINDSOR, Colo. - The Central Hockey League's Northern Conference champion Colorado Eagles announced today that they've signed the CHL's second-leading scorer last season, Konrad Reeder, and that the right winger will be in the lineup tonight against the Rapid City Rush. Reeder's rights were acquired earlier in the week through a trade with the New Mexico Scorpions.
Reeder - an All-Star last season - finished among the league's leaders in several offensive categories, including: points (108, 2nd), goals (41, T-3rd), assists (67, 3rd), power-play goals (14, T-5th), power-play assists (25, T-6th), short-handed goals (6, T-3rd), short-handed assists (4, T-4th) and shots (351, 1st).
Saturday, October 18; Eagles Sweep Opening Series With Shootouts
LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles defeated the Rapid City Rush for the second game in as many nights by way of a shootout, this time 5-4. The game featured the much-anticipated season debut of Konrad Reeder in an Eagles uniform and Morgan Cey's first start in net. Both would have a large hand in the game's results. And on a night full of power plays - 20 in all - only one of the game's eight regulation goals was scored at even strength; all four of Colorado's goals came on the man-advantage.
The Week Ahead
Wednesday, October 22; Front Range Rivalry Renews
The Eagles and Rage will face off for the first time out of 11 meetings slated for this season. Other than the Les Borsheim Benefit Game, this will be the first time the two teams meet since March 12 of last season.
Friday, October 24; President's Cup Rematch
The Eagles will look for some "moral revenge" when the Sundogs return to the place of their President's Cup Championship. A win would be Colorado's first against the Sundogs since March 3. All-time, the Eagles are 7-1-0 against the Sundogs at the BEC in the regular season.
Saturday, October 25: Eagles Play First Game Outside of State vs. Gorillas
After playing their first four games of the season in Colorado (3 at home, 1 at Rocky Mountain), the Eagles will travel to Amarillo for the first game in a season-long 5-game road trip. Despite their 14-5-3 record against the Gorillas overall, the Eagles tend to struggle in Amarillo, owning a mark of 4-5-2 on the smaller ice surface.
Sunday, October 26: Eagles Continue Longest Road Trip of Season in Oklahoma City
The Eagles will continue their season's longest road trip of 14 days with an afternoon game against the Blazers. Colorado also tends to struggle at the Ford Center, having more road losses there (9) than in any other away venue. Their last road win against the Blazers came all the way back on January 9, 2007.
Notable Numbers
EARLY SEASON STAR - Ryan Tobler is off to a similarly fast start as last year when he registered eight points (4-4-8) in his first four games. After two games over opening weekend, Tobler ranks second in the league with six points (2-2-4) and leads the league in special teams points (2 PPGs and 3 PPAs).
THE SECOND COMING - After acquiring the rights to Konrad Reeder last week, the CHL's second leading scorer from 2007-08 began his second stint with the Eagles on Saturday night; Reeder played in only 2 games with the club to start the 2006-07 season. Reeder was named the game's third star and made an immediate impact with a power play goal.
ROLE REVERSAL - Former forward Scott Polaski has made the switch to the blue line this season, and had himself quite the opening weekend at his new position. With a goal and four assists, Polaski ended the weekend leading the league's defensemen in points. The Colorado Springs native tallied four power play assists and the game-winning goal in a shootout on Saturday.
CARRYING OVER - By registering points in the season's first two games, Eagles forward Ed McGrane is riding an extensive point-streak dating to March 1st of last season. In the 13 regular season games since, he's tallied 19 points (9-10-19). If he reaches 14 games, it will tie him for the 4th longest point streak in franchise history (Pankewicz, 30 points).
POWER-PACKED OFFENSE - After the season's opening weekend, the Eagles rank second in the league in power play percentage (36.84%) and power play goals (7). That also means that 70% of their regulation goals (7-10) were scored on the man-advantage. Moreover, of the 8 total goals scored in regulation between the Eagles and Rush on Saturday, 7 were of the power play variety - including all 4 of Colorado's.
SHOOT 'EM OUT - Both of the Eagles' opening weekend wins came via shootouts, meaning they've already matched their number of shootout victories from last season (when they went 2-5). A big reason for the improvement is their new goaltending duo of Andrew Penner and Morgan Cey who stopped a combined 10-11 Rush shooters (91%).
NORTHWEST BY NORTHWEST - Colorado will play 26 of their 64 regular season games against the three other teams in the Northwest Division (Rocky Mountain Rage, Rapid City Rush and Wichita Thunder). They will play the Rush 12 times, the Rage 11 times and the Thunder just three times. The Eagles' schedule is also back-loaded with Northwest match-ups, as seven of their final 10 games in March will be within the division.
MOUNTAINOUS PRODUCTION - Colorado forward Riley Nelson always puts up big numbers against in-state rival Rocky Mountain. In 24 games, the veteran center has registered 40 point (20-20-40) to lead the team; the next-closest player is Ed McGrane with 24 points (11-13-24) in 23 games.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2008
- Shots from the Point - CHL
- Fan Forum Added To Scorps Site; Bostic Added To Roster - New Mexico Scorpions
- Oakley CHL Player/Goaltender of the Week Announced - CHL
- Rocky Mountain Rage Weekly Update - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Bucks Enter Blogging World - Laredo Bucks
- Sundogs Notes - Arizona Sundogs
- Eagles Week In Review - Colorado Eagles
- Sundogs Partner with Pepsi, Safeway to Raise Money for Breast Cancer Research and Awareness - Arizona Sundogs
- Bourbeau called up to AHL; Vincent and Ramsay return - Odessa Jackalopes
- Mudbugs Weekly - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Oilers Homecoming - Tulsa Oilers
- Rush Come Up Short Again In Shootout - Rapid City Rush
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