Game Recap --- Eagles Kick off Season with 4-2 Win at Rapid City
Published on October 14, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release
Eagles Kick off Season with 4-2 Win at Rapid City
(Colorado Eagles)
RAPID CITY, SD. - The Colorado Eagles began the 2016-17 season with a 4-2 victory over the Rapid City Rush at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City on Friday. Eagles forward Luke Salazar notched a goal and an assist in the win, while Colorado goaltender Kent Simpson turned aside 34 of the 36 shots he faced on the evening.
Eagles forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel would turn defense into offense to create the game's first goal and give the Eagles the 1-0 lead. The former ECHL All-Star would force a turnover at his own blue line to spring a rush down the ice, culminating in Salazar setting up Pierro-Zabotel in the low slot to hammer the puck past Rush goaltender Adin Hill at the 8:42 mark of the first period.
With time winding down in the period, Rush forward Hunter Fejes would field a rebound on top of the Eagles crease and fire it into the back of the net to knot the score at 1-1 with 1:22 remaining in the first frame.
Colorado would break the deadlock just 3:35 into the second period when forward Darryl Bootland deflected a shot from the point from fellow forward Conor O'Donnell, giving Colorado the 2-1 lead. That advantage would grow to two goals when rookie forward Cole Sanford tipped a shot from the left wing from defenseman Jake Marto to grow the Eagles lead to 3-1 at the 12:38 mark of the second period.
The Rush would again find an answer late in a period, as forward Josh MacDonald forced a turnover deep in the Eagles zone, wristing the loose puck into the net and cutting the Colorado lead to 3-2 with just 3:40 left in the middle frame.
Heading into the final period, the Eagles would thwart a furious effort from the Rush, as Salazar would ultimately add an empty-netter with 1:00 remaining to seal Colorado's 4-2 victory over Rapid City.
Images from this story
 Eagles Kick off Season with 4-2 Win at Rapid City |
ECHL Stories from October 14, 2016
- Game Recap --- Eagles Kick off Season with 4-2 Win at Rapid City - Colorado Eagles
- STEELHEADS: Eick, Grizzlies Top Steelheads in Season Opener - Idaho Steelheads
- Eagles Defeat Rush in Home Opener - Rapid City Rush
- Florida Scores Three Goals in the Final Minutes to Rally Past Rabbits 3-2 - Florida Everblades
- Komets Spoil Mallards' Opener - Quad City Mallards
- Fuel Open 2016-17 with Victory over Cincinnati - Indy Fuel
- Monarchs Fall to Thunder in Shootout, 4-3 - Manchester Monarchs
- Wings Game Recap - Kalamazoo Wings
- Recap: Cyclones Fall in Season Opener - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Atlanta Earns 4-1 Win over Toledo on Opening Night - Atlanta Gladiators
- Admirals Fall to Kalamazoo on Opening Night - Norfolk Admirals
- Thunder Announces Season Opening Roster - Wichita Thunder
- Solar Bears Announce 2016-17 Season Opening Roster - Orlando Solar Bears
- ECHL Transactions - October 14 - ECHL
- ADIRONDACK THUNDER ANNOUNCE OPENING NIGHT ROSTER - Adirondack Thunder
- 25th Anniversary Block Party Details Announced - Wichita Thunder
- Best Beast Roster Ever Set to Open 2016-17 ECHL Season - Brampton Beast
- Game Day Storylines- vs Utah - Idaho Steelheads
- ECHL Announces Season-Opening Rosters - ECHL
- Cyclones Unveil Season Opening Roster - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Admirals Reveal Opening Night Roster - Norfolk Admirals
- Monarchs Game Day Capsule - Manchester Monarchs
- Game Day: Adirondack At Manchester - Adirondack Thunder
- Jackals Announce Opening Night Roster - Elmira Jackals
- Nailers Announce Season-Opening Roster & Captains - Wheeling Nailers
- In Case You Missed It: Weekly Hockey and Soccer Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- In Case You Missed It: Weekly Hockey and Soccer Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- In Case You Missed It: Weekly Hockey and Soccer Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Patch Alber & Mathieu Brodeur Return To Thunder - Adirondack Thunder
- Perfetto, Aces Dump SC in Exhibition Finale - Alaska Aces
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.
