Rage Fall Short in Bid to Sweep Eagles
February 21, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release
Loveland, Colo. - Following on the heels of last night's 4-3 win against the Colorado Eagles, the Rocky Mountain Rage were unable to complete a sweep of the Northwest Division leaders, losing 4-2 at the Budweiser Events Center.
In a hard-fought, physical game that featured five fights between the Front Range rivals, the Rage drew first blood late in the opening period while skating short-handed. Nathan Gillies missed the net off a two-on-one, but the puck caromed off the end boards back out front to Daymen Rycroft, who potted his team-leading 24th of the year at 16:24. Shortly after returning to five-on-five, Rocky Mountain added to its lead when Colt King set-up Mark Smith on the doorstep for the latter's second of the season at 18:28. Colorado answered quickly as Brett Hammond just squeaked the puck through the pads of Marty Magers at 19:20, cutting the Rage's lead to 2-1 heading to the second.
The turning point of the game was the first half of the middle period when the Eagles cashed in on consecutive power play chances. Steve Haddon finished a two-on-one off a feed from Kevin Ulanski at 5:16, and Ed McGrane hammered home a slapshot from the top of the left circle to give Colorado its first lead of the weekend, 3-2.
That would remain the game's score into the third period. Rocky Mountain was unable to find the equalizer, though, and when Riley Nelson scored into an empty-net at 19:28, he sealed his team's 4-2 victory.
The Rage are now 27-22-4 with 58 points this season, dropping eight points behind the fourth-place Oklahoma City Blazers. Rocky Mountain remains in the fifth and final playoff spot in the Northern Conference, 16 points ahead of the sixth-place Rapid City Rush.
One other note from tonight's game - Rage centerman Simon Watson failed to register a point for the first time since Jan. 23, ending his team season-high point streak at 11 games.
Rocky Mountain remains on the road for three more games next week beginning with a tilt in Rapid City on Wednesday to conclude a stretch of 12 of 13 away from home. The club then returns to Broomfield Event Center on Thursday, March 5, to host the Eagles at 7:05 p.m.
Individual tickets for the Rage's remaining games at Broomfield Event Center during the month of March are available for as low as $5 for kids 12 and under (with the purchase of at least one adult ticket) and cost just $10 for students with a valid ID. Tickets may be purchased at the BEC Box Office, www.Ticketmaster.com, (303) 830-TIXS, and all Ticketmaster retail outlets.
For more ticket information, visit www.rockymountainrage.com, or contact the Rage Ticket Sales Staff at (303) 439-RAGE or tickets@broomfieldsports.com.
• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...
Central Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2009
- Mudbugs Burn Sundogs, Clinch Playoff Spot - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Bossier-Shreveport Doubles-Up Arizona 6-3 - Arizona Sundogs
- Scorpions hold on to beat IceRays - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Rage Fall Short in Bid to Sweep Eagles - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Eagles Double-Up Rage, End Skid - Colorado Eagles
- Brahmas earn playoff position and point Saturday - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Scorpions Get Much Needed Victory Over IceRays - New Mexico Scorpions
- Gorillas buck Laredo with strong third period - Amarillo Gorillas
- RiverKings Sweep Wichita with 5-3 Home Win - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Cursed By Bad Breaks In 6-4 Loss - Laredo Bucks
- Comeback Falls Short Again - Wichita Thunder
- Bucs Fall to Sioux City 8-2 - Laredo Bucks
- Sundogs Featured on PhoenixCoyotes.com - Arizona Sundogs
- RiverKings vs. Wichita Matchup - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Look To Bounce Back Tonight - Laredo Bucks
- Oilers Preview - Tulsa Oilers
- Oilers Win Second Straight - Tulsa Oilers
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.
