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CHL Colorado Eagles

Laplante Ties CHL Record With Third Playoff Shutout

April 14, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LOVELAND, Colo. - One game after losing a shutout with just 75 seconds left, Colorado netminder Sebastien Laplante led the Eagles to a 2-0 series lead in the Northern Conference Finals with a 2-0 blanking of the Texas Brahmas. The shutout was his third in seven playoff games this year, tying a CHL record (also hit last year by Eagles goalie Tim Boron). The Eagles' top-ranked penalty kill (88% coming into the game) went a perfect 11-11 in the contest to aid Laplante's effort.

Goaltending and penalty killing were the story of the first period as both netminders put up zeroes. Brett Jaeger made a handful of flashy saves for the Brahmas to stifle the Eagles, but not to be outdone at the other end, Laplante made his fair share of big saves to blank an opponent for the 13th time in 19 postseason periods. Colorado out-shot Texas 13-11 despite the Bramhas having four power plays - including three minutes of a double-minor and one minute worth of 5-on-3 play at period's end. The Eagles held the Brahmas without a shot on one power play midway through the period.

The second period brought more of the same, with the Eagles finishing the 5-on-3 kill during the first minute and receiving a standing ovation from the crowd for the second game in a row. Colorado killed two more Texas power-plays in the second to push their penalty-killing numbers to 14-15 (93.33%) in the series. The Brahmas killed three penalties of their own, including a partial 5-on-3 for Colorado. Laplante made two stellar saves, one on Anders Strome with his right leg on a shot from the high slot and another when Justin Kinnunen had a breakaway with five and a half minutes left; Laplante squeezed the puck between his right arm and his body as he fell backward into his crease in what was the best scoring chance in the game to that point.

Ed McGrane broke the scoreless standstill with a terrific individual effort at 8:02 of the third. McGrane carried the puck over the Texas blue line along the left-wing boards and then used a burst of speed to split the defense before sliding a shot under Jaeger from low in the left circle. Scott Polaski got his third goal in two nights - and the Eagles second short-hander of the playoffs - when Riley Nelson carried the puck through the neutral zone and then curled up along the left-wing boards to delay the play before sending a pass to Polaski who was skating wide open down the slot. Colorado made the game and Laplante's shutout bid interesting for the second game in a row when they were forced to kill another penalty (in addition to Texas pulling Jaeger) in the game's final two minutes. But their penalty-killers made it a perfect 11-for-11 on the night to preserve the shutout and the victory.

The Eagles will now head to North Richland Hills, Texas for Games Three, Four and if necessary, Five. Game Three is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16. Puck-drop is set for 6:05 MST.

Special Note

Colorado State University coaching legend Sonny Lubick and his wife Carol Jo were honored as special celebrity puck-droppers prior to the game. Lubick was given an Eagles jersey with his name on it and the number one on the back by Eagles CEO Martin Lind. The crowd jumped to its feet and roared the moment Lubick stepped on the ice to a video montage.

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