Pankewicz hat trick lifts Eagles over Thunder
February 8, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release
LOVELAND, CO- Colorado Eagles Captain Greg Pankewicz had the team's first hat trick of the regular season in a 5-3 win over the Wichita Thunder Wednesday night at the Budweiser Events Center. Riley Nelson tallied three assists for the Eagles who improved their record to 31-9-5 for 67 points and they remain in first place in the Northwest Division with a 13-point lead over second place Oklahoma City. Joe Blaznek scored two goals for the Thunder as they fell to 24-13-5 remaining in third place with 53 points. The teams will square off again Friday night at the Kansas Coliseum for the third straight meeting between these two rivals.
Wichita's leading scorer Joe Blaznek gave the Thunder an early 1-0 lead when he took a pass from Jason Duda from behind the net scoring just 1:10 into the first period. The Eagles leading scorer Greg Pankewicz answered for Colorado when he took a pass from Riley Nelson and made a nifty move beating Wichita goaltender Sebastien Laplante. Scott Polaski gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead late in the first period (17:09) when he took a drop pass from Garrett Larson and when far post for his 10th professional goal. The Eagles scored their third unanswered goal with 41 seconds remaining on a power play goal by captain Greg Pankewicz, his second of the game. The Eagles took the 3-1 lead into the first intermission and were out shooting Wichita 16-12 after one period.
The Thunder showed their resiliency in the second period scoring two unanswered goals in the second period to tie the game at 3. Kris Wiebe jammed in a rebound passed Eagles goaltender Jeff Blair for a power play goal and Joe Blaznek scored his second of the game, also on a power play to even the score. Wichita out shot Colorado 13-5 although the Eagles were shorthanded for most of the period.
Erik Adams scored what would become the game-winning goal only 22 seconds into the third period giving the Eagles their final lead of the night at 4-3. Then the home team was given a two-man advantage and Greg Pankewicz netted his third goal of the game for the Eagles first hat trick of the season. He was assisted by Brad Williamson and Riley Nelson, his third assist of the game. Final score: Eagles 5- Wichita 3
The Eagles travel to Wichita for a game on Friday night. It will be the third straight meeting for the teams in a rare, home-and-home-and-home.
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