CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles Week In Review

Published on March 2, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


Week In Review

Tuesday, February 24; Productive Power Play Voted Performance of Week

(LEAGUE RELEASE) - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that the league-leading power play for the Colorado Eagles has been voted the winner of the CHL Performance of the Week for the week ending February 15th. The specific game that garnered the winning nod occurred on February 11th in the Eagles 5-3 win over Arizona after their five for nine performance with the man advantage. Ryan Tobler scored two of the five power play goals.

The Eagles power play earned 920 votes in the weekly poll accounting for 49% of the 1,876 votes cast. Finishing in second place was New Mexico's Kyle McNulty who made 29 saves in a 5-0 shutout victory over Odessa on February 11th. McNulty received 491 votes (26%).

Colorado currently is tops in the CHL with a 22.4% success rate on its power play. The Eagles are 77 for 343 with the man advantage.

Tuesday, February 24; Become an Eagles Fan on Facebook

Fans,

The Colorado Eagles have launched a new Facebook Fan Page, allowing you to show your team pride and helping you stay up-to-date on all things Eagles. By becoming a Facebook Fan of the Colorado Eagles, you can receive notifications of special events, stories and multimedia content and share it with your friends easier than ever.

Tuesday, February 24; 2009 Summer Hockey Camps Scheduled

The Colorado Eagles' Summer Hockey Camp schedule is now set. This summer, the Eagles will be hosting their 2009 Hockey Camps at the NoCo Ice Center in Windsor, Colo. Camps will be instructed by Colorado Eagles players, so don't miss out on your chance to learn from the pros! Space is limited, so don't delay. Please call (970)686-SHOT (7468) for more information or to sign up.

Camp attendees will receive expert instruction from Colorado Eagles players on and off the ice, focusing on proven, hockey-specific training and conditioning. Goalie instruction will be included with all camps. Each week-long session will conclude with a scrimmage game on Saturday. Registration and check-in will begin at 7 a.m. on the first day of each session.

Session 1 (June 1st - 6th)* 8 a.m. - Noon daily

Session 2 (June 8th - 13th)* 8 a.m. - Noon daily

Session 3 (August 3rd - 8th)* 8 a.m. - Noon daily

Cost: Advanced (10 - 14 years) $270.00

Cost: Intermediate (9 years and under) $170.00

Goalie Clinic

Goaltender-specific training focusing on mobility, positioning and puck control.

Session 1 (August 10th, 12th & 14th) 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Cost: $150.00

* All camp dates and times are subject to change

10% Family Discount as well as 1 player in Multiple Camps!

Tuesday, February 24; Opportunistic Oilers Get Overtime Win

TULSA, Okla. - The Tulsa Oilers defeated the Colorado Eagles, 5-4, overcoming a strong first period by Colorado and scoring four unanswered goals in an overtime, comeback win. A 0-7 power play performance and a three-point night by Rob Dmytruk (2-1-3) -- including the game-winner -- helped doom the Eagles in a game they statistically dominated.

Colorado stormed out of the gates, tying a season high for shots in a period on the way to a 22-5 advantage and a 3-0 lead after one. The first half of the opening frame was penalty-filled and included some rare 3-on-3 and 4-on-3 play, but both teams went 0-3 on the man advantage in the period.

Brett Hammond got the scoring started at 8:28 with his second goal in as many games. After a nice play to keep the puck in the Oilers' zone at the left point, he sent the disc deep behind the goal where Steve Haddon retrieved it and found him skating down the slot for the opening tally. Then, just over a half minute later, Riley Nelson beat Kevin St. Pierre on a shorthanded breakaway for his third shorthanded-goal of the season (the second against Tulsa).

Ryan Tobler closed out the first period scoring at 16:51 after a Tulsa turnover in the neutral zone. Tobler carried the puck down the right wing before beating the Oilers' netminder from the right circle for his 31st score of the season, tying him for the league lead. At that point, the Eagles had scored three times on just 16 shots.

The Oilers rebounded nicely in the second period, scoring three times -- including a late power-play goal -- to trail by just one heading into the third. Sean Collins got Tulsa on the board at 3:20 of the second after Morgan Cey's poke-check ended up right back on his stick below the left circle and he roofed it home.

Colorado seemed to counter any momentum that tally would give the Oilers when Adam Hogg scored a minute later from Konrad Reeder, but that wasn't the case. At 10:58, Kevin Seibel cut the Colorado lead to 4-2 with his second goal of the season (both against the Eagles). And at 18:11, Dmytruk swept in a Jason Weitzel rebound on his backhand from the doorstep for a power-play goal.

Jake Riddle scored the only goal of the third period at 3:07 after coming out of the penalty box and snapping the puck high past Cey from the left faceoff dot; the goal came on the first of just seven third period shots for Tulsa. The Eagles, on the other hand, controlled play for most of the frame but couldn't beat St. Pierre with any of their 14 shots.

The Oilers wasted little time in the overtime period, scoring again on their first shot, just 26 seconds in. Dmytruk put home the game-winner when Brendon Hodge's wraparound attempt went right through the crease to the wide open forward crashing down the left side of the slot.

Colorado will continue on their five-game road trip with a game Friday night against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

Friday, February 27; Penner, Pankewicz Lead Eagles Over 'Bugs

BOSSIER CITY, La. - The Colorado Eagles swept the season series against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, three games to none, with a 2-1 win. Colorado got two pivotal goals from Konrad Reeder and Greg Pankewicz, and Andrew Penner continued his strong play against the 'Bugs in the win. The victory puts the Eagles just one point away from securing their sixth Northwest Division title in as many seasons.

The Mudbugs -- possibly bolstered by the pre-game retirement of Trevor Buchanan's #27 jersey -- controlled play for the first half of the opening period. And at 9:28, Mark Johnson got them on the board first after Neil Clark had entered the Eagles' zone along the right wing and dished a pass to the low slot where Johnson had gotten behind the Colorado defense.

But just under a minute and a half later, Reeder was awarded a penalty shot after breaking in alone after a turnover at the Mudbugs' blue line. Reeder swooped far to the left before faking to cut across the doorstep, where he pulled the puck back and beat Jon Horrell badly for the second successful regular season penalty shot in team history.

And at 14:42, Pankewicz made team history by becoming the first player to register 200 goals in a Colorado uniform. The milestone marker came after another turnover at the 'Bugs blueline, as Ed McGrane sent a shot on net from the top of the right circle and the Eagles' captain put home the rebound from the doorstep. The assist extended McGrane's point streak to nine games (4-7-11).

The Mudbugs out-shot the Eagles 15-6 in a second period that was filled with quality chances for both clubs, but Penner continued his stellar play against Bossier-Shreveport this season, and Horrell came up clutch on the few Colorado chances as well.

The Eagles and Penner locked down defensively the rest of the way, as Colorado registered just three shots (a season low in a single period) in the final frame. Penner stopped all 13 shots faced in the period, totaling 36 of 37 on the night. Those numbers improved his season totals against the 'Bugs to a .964 save percentage and a goals-against average of 1.34.

Saturday, February 28; Eagles Win Division Despite Questionable Goal

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - The Colorado Eagles won their sixth Northwest Division title in as many seasons by picking up a point in their 4-3 shootout loss to the Mississippi RiverKings. The Eagles secured the one point needed for the division by going into overtime despite a 9-4 RiverKings edge in power plays, a 51-24 edge in shots and a controversial tying goal in the third period.

The first period saw even play between two of the Northern Conference's best with the RiverKings amassing a 12-11 edge in shots. Kevin Ulanski got Colorado on the board at 8:41 -- with his first goal since Jan. 30. -- after picking off an ill-advised Derek Landmesser backhand pass from the goal line and beating Kevin Beech from between the hash marks.

The RiverKings tied the game at 1 at 13:43 of the second when Adam Smyth got his 10th goal of the season; remarkably, five of them have come in as many games against the Eagles. But Colorado retook the lead just 22 seconds later when Aaron Schneekloth scored from the point through a screen in front of the Mississippi netminder.

And then with just 12 seconds left in the period, Ed McGrane continued his hot streak (five goals and eight assists in his 10 game point streak) with a shorthanded goal to give the Eagles a two goal cushion heading into the third. McGrane broke through the neutral zone, man-on-man with the RiverKings defenseman, then faked a delay at the top of the left circle before beating Beech with a shot.

Mississippi made it 3-2 with a power-play goal at 3:26 of the third -- on their seventh power play of the night -- when David Simoes scored on a shot from the point. Then at 13:43, Louis Dumont tied the game with a questionable goal while shorthanded. Dumont's shot appeared to hit the post and bounce out of the net, but referee Steve Cruickshank ruled it a goal.

A minute later, Andrew Penner came out to his left midboards to play an approaching puck and was run into by Dallas Steward. The Eagles' netminder spun hard to the ice and immediately rolled over to deliver punches to the diminutive RiverKings forward. Colorado would kill two more Mississippi power plays as time wound down to force the overtime period and secure their division-clinching point.

After neither team scored in the five minute overtime period, the RiverKings beat Penner on three of four shootout attempts to secure the win. Martin Gascon, Dumont and Landmesser scored for Mississippi, while Ryan Tobler was the only Eagle (out of four) to beat Beech.

The next game of Colorado's five-game road trip will come Tuesday in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Saturday, February 28; Eagles Win Sixth Straight Division Crown

By taking tonight's game into overtime, the Colorado Eagles claimed their sixth Northwest Division title in six seasons as a franchise. The Eagles were the first team in the league to secure a playoff berth this season (all the way back on Feb. 11), and with a record of 38-12-4, have now become the second team in the league to claim their respective division. Colorado owns the highest winning percentage in the league at .741. The Central Hockey League's 2008-09 regular season ends on March 21, with the 2009 Playoffs beginning the following week. Playoff dates and opponents will be announced as soon as possible.

The Week Ahead

Tuesday, March 3; Eagles Continue Road Trip in New Mexico

The newly-crowned Northwest Division champion Eagles will continue their five-game road trip with a game against the Scorpions. So far this season the Eagles 5-1-0 against New Mexico, including 3-0-0 on the road. All-time, Colorado owns a 31-4-4 record against the 'Scorps, for a wining percentage of .846 - their highest against any active team with at least 10 meetings.

Thursday, March 5; Eagles End Road Trip With Rare Thursday Game

Colorado will play their second of three Thursday night games this season when their road trip wraps up against the Rocky Mountain Rage. So far this season, the Eagles are 6-1-0 against their Front Range rival who just earned their first ever playoff berth as the likely 5th seed in the Northern Conference. Colorado is 2-0-0 at the Broomfield Event Center this season, out-scoring the Rage 8-3.

Friday, March 6; In-State Rivals Meet For Second Game of Home-and-Home Series

The Eagles will return home for their first game at the Budweiser Events Center since defeating the Rage, 4-2, on February 21. Coincidentally, this game will also be the second of a back-to-back set against Rocky Mountain. The Eagles are 4-1-0 so far this season when the Rage come to town, and this will be the final regular season meeting between the two at the Bud Barn.

Saturday, March 7; Rush Visit BEC For Final Time This Season

After playing five games at the BEC before December, the Rush will come to Loveland for the sixth and final time this season. The Eagles won all five of those meetings against the first-year franchise, while out-scoring the Rush 30-14. The games have been much closer, however, and Colorado will visit Rapid City (where they're just 2-2-0) for two games to finish the regular season.

Notable Numbers

CONGRATS! - In a game where shots were at a premium for Colorado, Captain Greg Pankewicz made his only one count. Panks' game-winning goal in the first period of Friday night's game against the Mudbugs was also his 200th as an Eagle and made him the first player in franchise history to reach that mark. Fittingly, 20% of his goals for Colorado have been game-winners (41-200).

THE ANI-WINDEX - Forward Ed McGrane is on yet another lengthy point streak - his second of at least 10 games this season and the third of his Eagles career. The Hamilton, Ontario native had a career-long point streak of 14 games (21 points) stretch from the end of last season into the beginning of this one. He then went 11 games in a row with a point (19 total) from Dec. 19-Jan 10. His current 10-gamer includes five goals and eight assists.

REPEAT MAGIC - Netminder Andrew Penner had quite a weekend, getting three of a possible four points for his club against the top teams in the Northeast Division. On back-to-back nights, Penner stopped 83 of 87 shots (95.4%) and posted a GAA of 1.92. After stifling the Mudbugs - again - on Friday night, he came up with a 47-save performance against the RiverKings in a Northwest Division-clinching game. His 47 saves tied for the third-most in team history (and marked the second time he's done it this season), and his 19 saves in the third period tied for third-most in team history (also the second time he's done it this season).

NAUGHTY & NICE - With four minutes worth of penalties in Saturday night's game against the RiverKings, Andrew Penner surpassed Kevin Ulanski - the team's leading scorer - in PIMs. Penner now has 17 penalty minutes to Ulanski's 16. Ulanski has the second-fewest PIMs of any player in the league's top 50 scorers.

CAREER HIGHS - With the final month of the 2008-09 season upon us, several Eagles have already (or are about to) set new career highs in one category or another. Some of the most notable are: Kevin Ulanski is one point away from a career high of 69, Steve Haddon has already set career highs in assists and points and needs two goals to eclipse his old high of 14, Jay Birnie is two points away from a career high of 12, Ryan Tobler's 31 goals have already surpassed his old high of 30, Adam Hogg has set new highs in every offensive category, Scott Polaski has set career highs for assists (32) and points (43), Erik Adams' 39 points are his most ever and Andrew Penner's 26 wins also mark a personal best.

DON'T FORGET THE COACH - Several Colorado players aren't the only members of the team setting new career highs this season. The Eagles' next win will match Kevin McClelland's career high for a 64 game season at 39. Interestingly, that's the exact number of wins he had each of the past two seasons as coach of the RiverKings when he went a combined 78-40-10.

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from March 2, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central