CHL Colorado Eagles

Fast Start Leads To Strong Finish

Published on February 10, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


WICHITA, Kan. - The Colorado Eagles' strong start in their 6-3 win against the Wichita Thunder helped them end their seven-game road trip with 10 of a possible 14 points. The victory also moved the Eagles back into a first-place tie with the Rapid City Rush in the Northern Conference (both have 65 points).

The Eagles wasted little time, building a 3-0 lead before the Thunder had even registered a shot. Kevin Ulanski added to his league-leading point total with a goal just 50 seconds in off a feed from below the goal line from Ryan Tobler.

Jay Birnie then made it 2-0, 2:26 in, after he forced a turnover at the defensive blue line and raced down the middle of the rink on a breakaway before beating Scott Campbell from between the circles. Aaron Schneekloth then chased Campbell 45 seconds later when he threw the puck on net and it found its way in after a faceoff win in the left circle.

Former Eagle Ian Keserich took over between the pipes for the Thunder and stopped two of three shots the rest of the period. The one that got by him came at 17:01 when Ulanski sprung Riley Nelson on a shorthanded break down the right wing, and the Eagles captain converted to make it 4-0.

The Thunder put up a much better effort in the second period, but not before Brett Lutes could make it 5-0 for the Eagles with their 15th shot of the contest. At 5:21, Ryan McLeod sent a pass from the right circle to his linemate in the slot and Lutes' shot tipped off of Keserich's blocker and into the net.

But Wichita would go on to score the next two goals in the period on the way to out-shooting Colorado 13-9 despite the Eagles having a 4-1 edge in power plays. Brett Beauchamp got the home team on the board at 7:42 when his shot from the left point made it past Mike Mole just four seconds after a Thunder power play had expired. Then, at 13:36, Neil Clark was able to deflect a Mark Adamek point shot from the low slot past the Eagles' goalie to make it 5-2.

The Thunder kept making noise as they trimmed the Eagles' lead to 5-3 just under four minutes into the final frame. Clark sent a saucer pass from the right midboards to Paul Kelly coasting backward through the slot. He was able to draw the puck in on his backhand and then flip it past Mole from the doorstep.

But that was all Wichita would score and Steve Haddon added a sixth goal for Colorado midway through the period for the team's second shorthanded tally of the night. On the play, Haddon and Ed McGrane worked a give-and-go through the offensive zone before Haddon beat Keserich from the doorstep with some nice stickwork.

The Eagles return home for their first game at the Budweiser Events Center since Jan. 27 when they take on the Arizona Sundogs Friday night.

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics

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



Central Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2010


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