ECHL Colorado Eagles

Game Recap --- Five-Game Winning Streak Snapped in 5-2 Loss To

March 24, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LOVELAND, CO. - Colorado outshot the Utah Grizzlies 40-24 on Friday, but stellar goaltending from Utah goaltender Ryan Faragher stymied the efforts of the Eagles, who fell by a final score of 5-2. Grizzlies forward Austen Brassard collected a pair of goals in the win, as Utah connected on both a power-play goal and a shorthanded tally in the contest.

Back-to-back penalties against Colorado would create a 5-on-3 power play for the Grizzlies, allowing forward Erik Higby to step into a one-timer from the top of the left circle, giving Utah the 1-0 advantage at the 11:27 mark of the first period.

The lead would grow to a pair when Brassard snapped a wrist shot past Eagles goalie Kent Simpson from the left circle to give the Grizzlies the 2-0 edge with just 3:07 remaining in the opening period.

Utah would extend its lead yet again when forward Erik Bradford turned an Eagles turnover into a breakaway down the ice, culminating with Bradford tucking the puck between the legs of Simpson and giving the Grizzlies a 3-0 advantage at the 10:45 mark of the second period.

Colorado would strike back just 27 seconds later on a 5-on-3 power play, as forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel would deflect a pass into the cage from the side of the net to slice the Utah lead to 3-1. The deficit would be trimmed to 3-2 when the Eagles capitalized on the back-end of the 5-on-3, as forward Darryl Bootland drove a shot from the slot past Utah goalie Rob Nichols at the 11:22 mark of the middle frame.

Nichols would be forced to exit the game when he suffered an injury to his left hand shortly after surrendering his second goal of the contest. That would bring Faragher into the net for Utah and he would respond by stopping the final seven shots of the second period.

Utah would take advantage of a net-mouth scramble early in the third period when forward C.J. Eick lifted a bouncing puck in the crease over Simpson and made it a 4-2 Utah lead at the 5:32 mark of the final frame.

Colorado would throw 14 shots on net in the third period, but would ultimately be forced to pull Simpson in favor of the extra attacker. The move would result in Brassard slinging the puck the length of the ice into the empty net with just 34 seconds remaining in regulation to seal the Grizzlies the 5-2 win.

Nicholls claimed his first professional win, stopping 17 of the 19 shots he faced in his pro debut. Faragher denied all 21 shots thrown his way after entering the game in Nichols' stead. Simpson suffered the loss for Colorado, allowing four goals on 23 shots.

The Eagles conclude their final home stand of the regular season when they take on the Utah Grizzlies on Saturday, March 25th at 7:05pm MT at the Budweiser Events Center.

Season tickets for the 2017-18 season can now be reserved with a $50 deposit per seat by calling the Eagles ticket office at 970-686-SHOT (7468). A complete schedule can be found at www.ColoradoEagles.com.

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ECHL Stories from March 24, 2017


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