Eagles Week In Review
May 4, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release
LOVELAND, Colo. - The Governors' Cup champion Colorado Eagles have advanced to the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals for the third consecutive year and the fourth time in six seasons of existence. The Eagles also made it to the Central Hockey League's championship round in 2005, 2007 and 2008, winning in the first two. Colorado will face the Southern Conference champion Texas Brahmas with Games 1 and 2 at the Budweiser Events Center on Wednesday, April 29 and Friday, May 1.
As the regular season champs, the Eagles will own home ice advantage in the President's Cup Finals (2-3-2 format). The complete best-of-seven series schedule is below (all times Mountain):
Game 1 - Texas @ Colorado, Wednesday, April 29 (7:05 pm)
Game 2 - Texas @ Colorado, Friday, May 1 (7:05 pm)
Game 3 - Colorado @ Texas, Sunday, May 3 (2:05 pm)
Game 4 - Colorado @ Texas, Tuesday, May 5 (6:05 pm)
Game 5 (if necessary) - Colorado @ Texas, Wednesday, May 6 (6:05 pm)
Game 6 (if necessary) - Texas @ Colorado, Friday, May 8 (7:05 pm)
Game 7 (if necessary) - Texas @ Colorado, Sunday, May 10 (7:05 pm)
Tickets for Games 1 and 2 are on sale now! Tickets for Games 6 & 7 will go on sale Friday, May 1 at 10 a.m. Tickets for all home games can be purchased at the Budweiser Events Center box office, www.ComcastTix.com, 1-877-544-TIXX (8499), the Eagles Office in Water Valley or through any ComcastTIX Outlet. Tickets for the President's Cup Finals round will cost $20 (plus applicable fees).
* SEASON TICKET HOLDERS *
Tickets for all possible home playoff games are in the back of your Season Ticket Books.
Please use the CREAM TICKETS ("Round Four") designated for the President's Cup Finals; Games "A," "B," "C" and "D" coincide with the four possible home games in the best-of-seven series.
If you have any questions about your playoff tickets, please call our office at (970)686-SHOT.
Wednesday, April 29; Two Goals in 12-Second Span Do in Eagles
LOVELAND, Colo. - The Texas Brahmas used two goals in 12 seconds to turn the tables on the Colorado Eagles in their 5-3 win in Game 1 of the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals. Tyler Skworchinski scored a pair of power-play goals for the Brahmas who went 3-for-7 on the man advantage, with the second tying the game 12 seconds before Scott Sheppard's game-winner.
The Brahmas drew first blood in the CHL's championship series with their first of two power-play goals in the opening period. At 11:09, Mike Vellinga sent a low shot from the point that was deflected twice in front, the second time by Skworchinski on the doorstep for his league-leading tenth goal of the playoffs.
Colorado tied it up with a similar play of their own four minutes later after Riley Nelson threaded a pass from the left circle through the skates of a Texas penalty-killer to Ed McGrane at the point. McGrane's low shot was stopped by Brett Jaeger, but Kevin Ulanski was right there to knock it home.
But with just under a minute left in the period -- and just two seconds left on their third power play of the frame -- the Brahmas retook the lead. Following a faceoff in the left circle, Greg McConnell sent a shot from the left point that was deflected top shelf by Matt Quinn in front of Andrew Penner.
The second period was a period of two halves as the Brahmas used two more power plays to build a 24-14 edge in shots overall. But the Eagles swayed the momentum in spite of the disadvantage with their second shorthanded tally of the playoffs.
Ulanski got things going in the Texas zone by sending a pass from below the goal line to Steve Haddon skating down the slot. Haddon's first shot was stopped, but he was able to get a second swipe at the rebound and put it past the Brahmas' goalie. Colorado controlled the remainder of the second period, out-shooting Texas 10-1 the rest of the way.
Colorado took their first and only lead of the game two minutes into the third as Ulanski continued his strong performance. The All-CHL Team winger took the puck down the left wing, circled behind the net and into the right circle before beating Jaeger to make it 3-2.
But the Brahmas climbed back into the lead with a pair of goals 12 seconds apart, starting with their third power-play goal of the night at 5:44 when Kevin McLeod sent a slap-pass from the right point to Skworchinski crashing the left side of the crease for a tap-in to tie the score.
Then off the ensuing faceoff, Sheppard took the puck down the right wing all alone and placed a shot into the top right corner for what would prove to be the game-winner. Texas added another goal at 16:10 when Jordan Cameron's innocent-looking flip of the puck caromed into the Eagles' net after hitting Jason Beatty's skate.
Thursday, April 30; Altitude to Air Games 2 & 6 (if nec.) of Finals
LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles and Altitude Sports & Entertainment announced today that the Kroenke-owned television network will broadcast Games 2 and 6 (if necessary) of the Central Hockey League's championship round. Game 2 will take place on Friday, May 1 and Game 6 would be played on Friday, May 8. Both broadcasts will begin at 7 p.m., with puck-drop scheduled for 7:10.
Tori Holt will handle the play-by-play duties while Kevin McGlue provides color commentary. Lauren Gardner will act as the ice-side reporter.
The Colorado Eagles are taking on the Texas Brahmas as they look for their third Ray Miron President's Cup championship; this is their third consecutive trip to the Finals and their fourth in six seasons.
The rest of the President's Cup Finals series between the Northern Conference champion Eagles and the Southern Conference champion Brahmas is as follows:
Game 3 (Sunday, May 3) @ Texas
Game 4 (Tuesday, May 5) @ Texas
Game 5* (Wednesday, May 6) @ Texas
Game 7* (Sunday, May 10) @ Colorado
* - If Necessary
Tickets for Game 2 are on sale now! Tickets for Games 6 & 7 will go on sale Friday, May 1 at 10 a.m. Tickets for all home games can be purchased at the Budweiser Events Center box office, www.ComcastTix.com, 1-877-544-TIXX (8499), the Eagles Office in Water Valley or through any ComcastTIX Outlet. Tickets for the President's Cup Finals round will cost $20 (plus applicable fees).
About Altitude Sports & Entertainment
Seen in more than 3 million homes in a 10 state territory, Altitude is the television home of the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Mammoth, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Eagles, the Big Sky Conference, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, ESPN Syndication (including Big 12 Conference and Western Athletic Conference events), as well as other local and regional sports, entertainment and public service programming. A full list of Altitude programming and other information can be found at www.altitude.tv.
FriLOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles and Altitude Sports & Entertainment announced today that the Kroenke-owned television network will broadcast Games 2 and 6 (if necessary) of the Central Hockey League's championship round. Game 2 will take place on Friday, May 1 and Game 6 would be played on Friday, May 8. Both broadcasts will begin at 7 p.m., with puck-drop scheduled for 7:10.
Tori Holt will handle the play-by-play duties while Kevin McGlue provides color commentary. Lauren Gardner will act as the ice-side reporter.
The Colorado Eagles are taking on the Texas Brahmas as they look for their third Ray Miron President's Cup championship; this is their third consecutive trip to the Finals and their fourth in six seasons.
The rest of the President's Cup Finals series between the Northern Conference champion Eagles and the Southern Conference champion Brahmas is as follows:
Game 3 (Sunday, May 3) @ Texas
Game 4 (Tuesday, May 5) @ Texas
Game 5* (Wednesday, May 6) @ Texas
Game 7* (Sunday, May 10) @ Colorado
* - If Necessary
Tickets for Game 2 are on sale now! Tickets for Games 6 & 7 will go on sale Friday, May 1 at 10 a.m. Tickets for all home games can be purchased at the Budweiser Events Center box office, www.ComcastTix.com, 1-877-544-TIXX (8499), the Eagles Office in Water Valley or through any ComcastTIX Outlet. Tickets for the President's Cup Finals round will cost $20 (plus applicable fees).
About Altitude Sports & Entertainment
Seen in more than 3 million homes in a 10 state territory, Altitude is the television home of the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Mammoth, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Eagles, the Big Sky Conference, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, ESPN Syndication (including Big 12 Conference and Western Athletic Conference events), as well as other local and regional sports, entertainment and public service programming. A full list of Altitude programming and other information can be found at www.altitude.tv.
Friday, May 1; McGrane's OT Winner Evens Finals Series
LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles evened up the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals with the Texas Brahmas with a 5-4 overtime win in Game 2. Ed McGrane notched his team-leading eighth goal of the playoffs while on a 4-on-3 power play in overtime to send the series to Texas knotted up at one.
The festivities took on a somber moment prior to puck-drop as the Eagles honored two members of the organization's family with a moment of silence. Earlier this week the Eagles lost both backup play-by-play broadcaster Rich Bircumshaw and one of the team's original investors, Jim Ball.
Colorado got off to a quick start before spending the better part of the second half of the opening period in the penalty box (they were called for five penalties in a row, spending nearly eight consecutive minutes in the box). Riley Nelson extended his point streak to nine games with a goal 2:03 in after Jay Birnie freed up the puck in the left corner and sent it into the middle of the offensive zone for Nelson to put past Brett Jaeger.
But the Brahmas took advantage of two five-on-three goals from Scott Sheppard to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission as the Texas forward beat Andrew Penner twice from the left circle. Sheppard also got the game-winner in Game 1 and led both teams in scoring in last year's playoff matchup.
Just like in Game 1, the Eagles controlled much of the second period, out-shooting the Brahmas 17-9 in this one. They were able to even the score at 2 with a power-play score of their own -- on their first power play chance since five minutes into the first period -- when Konrad Reeder got his first power-play goal of the playoffs.
The tying goal came at 7:16 -- with five seconds left in the power play -- when Adam Hogg sent a shot on Jaeger from the right midboards and Reeder was able to put home Colorado's second swipe at the rebound from the left side of the crease.
Then, at the exact moment their third power play was expiring, Scott Polaski's shot from above the left circle went under the crossbar to make it 3-2. The assist for Hogg gave him the first three-point game of his pro career (all assists).
Colorado stretched their lead to 4-2 with a goal 3:19 into the third after Jaeger turned the puck over behind his own net. Brett Hammond picked off the puck and fed Hogg from below the goal line. Hogg's shot hit off the goal post, and landed in the crease where Birnie was able to poke it in. Hogg's fourth assist set a new franchise playoff record for assists in a game.
Brahmas Head Coach Dan Wildfong called a timeout to regroup and it paid huge dividends as Texas answered just 16 seconds later. Sheppard sent a backhand flip from below the goal line and Jason Deitsch, who was crashing the left side of the crease, where he knocked it out of mid-air and past Penner.
Then, at 8:58, with the Eagles on their fourth power play of the night, Brandon Benedict converted a turnover at the Colorado blueline into a 4-4 tie. It marked the first shorthanded goal scored against the Eagles in the playoffs, but came as no shock as the two teams tied for the regular season lead with 19 shorties apiece.
Despite a 5-4 disadvantage in overtime shots, Colorado controlled most of the play in the attacking zone but whiffed on several chances to get the puck on net. But at 8:28, McGrane scored a four-on-three power-play tally for his team-leading fourth man-advantage marker. The Eagles forward took a cross-ice pass from Nelson and blazed a shot past the Brahmas' netminder from the right circle to even the series.
Sunday, May 3; Penalty Box Cramped at NYTEX Sports Centre
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas - The Colorado Eagles fell behind two games to one in the CHL's championship round, suffering a 6-2 loss to the Texas Brahmas behind an 11-4 power play disparity. The Brahmas were without star forward Scott Sheppard, but it mattered little as they scored three power-play goals -- two by Tyler Skworchinski -- in Game 3 of the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals series.
Without their second-leading scorer in Sheppard, the Brahmas relied on the just-as-hot Skworchinski to jump out to a 1-0 lead after the first period of play. At 11:33, Skworchinski tied Sheppard's league-leading power-play goal total by notching his sixth of the playoffs after beating Andrew Penner with traffic in front of the Eagles' netminder.
Things opened up in the second as the two teams exchanged scores. Colorado evened it up at 1 with a power-play goal of their own at 8:06. Greg Pankewicz sent the puck on net from the point and Ed McGrane, camped out in front, knocked it home for his second power-play marker in a row (he also had the game-winner in overtime of Game 2).
But the Brahmas answered right back two minutes later after a big hit by Erik Adams led to a pileup in the left corner. Pete Rouleau was able to dig the puck out and attempted a wraparound shot that was stopped by Penner, but Matt Quinn sent the rebound past the goaltender's right leg to make it 2-1.
McGrane got that goal back with his third goal in a row for the Eagles -- this time shorthanded -- as Colorado killed a string of penalties late in the second frame. McGrane reeled in a backhand loft pass from his own zone and skated down on Brett Jaeger all alone with tons of time before beating the Brahmas goalie at 16:59.
But as they have all series long, Texas answered right back a minute later when Brandon Benedict and Travis Banga converted a two-on-two rush to take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission. Benedict sent a shot on net from atop the right circle and Banga crashed the crease to put the rebound into the net.
Texas took control of the game in the third period -- scoring an even strength goal and a pair of power-play markers -- as the Eagles continued to find themselves in the penalty box. Colorado was assessed six penalties in the third period, to bring the game's total penalty ratio to 11:4.
The third period started out well enough for the Eagles, as they carried play before the penalty parade began, but Grant Jacobsen made it 4-2 at 5:28 with a goal while skating from left to right in front of the net. Then at 11:08, Skworchinski notched his second power-play goal of the game with a 5-on-3 tally on a cross-crease pass from Banga.
Looking for anything to change the momentum at that point, Morgan Cey replaced Penner in net for Colorado, seeing his first action of the playoffs. But the Brahmas scored their second power-play goal in a row at 12:50 to make it 6-2 when Rouleau tapped in a rebound off a shot from the left point.
Game 4 of the President's Cup Finals will be Tuesday night (6:05 MST) at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, Texas.
The Week Ahead
Tuesday, May 5, Wednesday, May 6, Friday, May 8 & Sunday, May 10; Games 4-7 of the President's Cup Finals
Currently trailing the Brahmas two games to one in the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals, the Eagles will need to win at least one of the remaining two games in Texas to return home for possible Games 6 & 7. If Colorado can prevail and win the best-of-seven series, it will mark their third CHL championship in five years; this is the Eagles' third consecutive trip to the President's Cup Finals.
Notable Numbers
HERE'S AN ODD STAT -
If history repeats itself, the Eagles will be this year's President's Cup champions. Of the three previous times Colorado has made it to the final round of the CHL playoffs, they've won the series in odd numbered years (2005 & 2007). That every-other-year pattern would fall in the Eagles' favor again this year.
THINKING INSIDE THE BOX -
Colorado players have been spending a large amount of time in the penalty box lately, averaging 8.4 penalties-per-game in the past two series. Just as eye-catching is the discrepancy between the amount of power plays they're killing and the amount they're receiving. So far in the 2009 playoffs, Colorado is averaging just 5 power plays per game (by far their lowest average in six postseasons). They have had more power plays than their opponent in just two of their 13 games (both in the opening round).
NEEDING PENNED UP -
The Eagles will need to corral a Brahmas' offense that has averaged 5.3 goals-per-game so far in the President's Cup Finals. Uncharacteristically, Andrew Penner has given up an average of 4.67 goals-per-game in the first three games. He allowed more than four goals just 7 times in 41 regular season games. However, eight of Texas' 15 goals (53.3%) have come on the power play.
BULL RUSHING -
The Brahmas have made a habit of answering Eagles' goals in quick fashion, showing resiliency while at the same time keeping Colorado from building momentum. Of the Eagles' nine regulation scores, Texas has responded with a goal of their own within two minutes, three separate times -- including both goals in Game 3. They've responded within four minutes, five times (or 55.6% of the time).
BULLYING THE BRAHMAS -
Forward Ed McGrane has scored the Eagles' past three goals, including the overtime winner in Game 2 and both Colorado scores in Game 3 (one on the power play and the other shorthanded). He's now tied for the team lead in points for the series with four (3-1-4) and leads the team with 16 points (10-6-16) in the playoffs.
OPEN & SHUT CASE -
The always-important first goal statistic takes on even more weight in this series as both teams have stellar records when opening the scoring. The Brahmas are a perfect 9-0 and the Eagles are 6-1 when getting the game's first goal.
Central Hockey League Stories from May 4, 2009
- Shots from the Point - CHL
- Box Office Director McFadden garners CHL honors - Amarillo Gorillas
- Eagles Week In Review - Colorado Eagles
- Brahmas Offense Lifts Team to 6-2 Victory In Game 3 of Finals - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Bucks Online Jersey Auction Underway - Laredo Bucks
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