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CHL Colorado Eagles

Jacks Make Easy Prey for Eagles

December 28, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


ODESSA, TX – In his 900th professional game, Greg Pankewicz scored two goals for the Colorado Eagles in a 5-2 victory over the Odessa Jackalopes Tuesday night at the Ector Country Coliseum in Odessa. Four other Eagles had multiple points in the game highlighted by defenseman Brad Williamson's three assists. Tyler Weiman earned his 14th win of the season saving 27 of 29 shots and the Eagles improved their record to 15-5-4. Colorado's 34 points are now five points behind the Wichita Thunder in the Northwest Division but they do have three games in hand on Wichita.

Pankewicz broke a seven game goal-scoring streak 2:54 into the first period on a great play with the man advantage. Brad Williamson passed the puck over to Matt Desrosiers who got the puck to Pankewicz as he was skating past the defender. Pankewicz got inside the circle and slammed the puck home for his thirteenth goal of the season. Less than one minute later, Chris Hartsburg gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead on a beautiful give-and-go with Williamson, Mike Lephart also added an assist on the play. Colorado wasn't finished, when they scored on another great goal. Karlis Zirnis streaked down the left wing lane with a step on his defender, instead of shooting short-side, Zirnis passed the puck behind him between his legs and left it for Matt Desrosiers who slapped the puck past goaltender Derek Dolson. With the Eagles leading 3-0 only 8:19 into the first period, Jackalopes Head Coach Don McKee replaced Dolson with first string goaltender Mike Gorman. The Jacks didn't give up, and they cut the lead to two goals before the horn sounded in the first period. At the 14:01 mark on a power play goal by Jeff Alcombrack who blasted the puck from the top of the slot through traffic and into the back of the net. Don Margettie and Matt Cressman added the helpers on the goal, and after one period of play the Eagles led 3-1.

Sebastien Thinel cut the lead in half on another power play goal half way through second period. Scott Hillman and Pascal Bedard earned the helpers on the play. The two power play goals by Odessa marked only the second time this season that the Eagles CHL-leading penalty kill unit has given up two power play goals in one game. The only other time was November 26 against the Wichita Thunder. Thinel's goal would be the only goal in the period and gave the Jacks a chance down only one goal going into the third.

Leading by one goal, the Eagles stayed offensive minded and started the third period out shooting the Jackalopes 9-1. Hardworking Karlis Zirnis lit the lamp for the second time this season on a rebound from a slap shot by Brad Williamson at the 6:35 mark to give the Eagles a two-goal lead and all but turn the lights out on the Odessa Jackalopes. Greg Pankewicz officially turned the lights out at the with 1:39 remaining in the third period when he picked up a loose puck in front of the slot and wristed it past Gorman for a 5-2 lead that would stand until the final buzzer. Tyler Weiman played another spectacular game giving up only two power play goals and saving 27 of 29 shots. The Eagles out shot Odessa by a total of 35-29 in the game, and 16-6 in the third period en route to their 15th win of the season.

The Eagles remain undefeated againgst Odessa in their short history. Colorado is now 5-0 against the Jackalopes in two seasons and has out scored Odessa 16-5 in the five total games. The game was a good start to a busy week in which Colorado has four games in five days. The Eagles take on the Amarillo Gorillas tomorrow night in Amarillo at 6:11 p.m. MST. They will then be at the BEC on Friday, New Year's Eve to take on the New Mexico Scorpions before traveling to Wichita to battle the Thunder on January 1, 2005. That game will start at 4:00 p.m. MST.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2004


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