Rage Regains Sole Possession of Division Lead
February 24, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release
Broomfield, Colo. - The Rocky Mountain Rage reclaimed sole posses of first place in the Northwest Division Sunday afternoon. Backed by a solid two-way effort, the Rage defeated their in-state rival Colorado Eagles 7-1 at the Broomfield Event Center. Rage goaltender Scott Reid posted 40 saves and six different Rage players scored.
The Rage advanced to 32-14-5 overall (69 points). After 51 games, the team holds two points advantage over the Eagles in the race for the Northwest Division title. Colorado is 31-14-5 (67 points) overall this season.
The first period started with heavy defensive play from both teams. With two shots by the Rage on the board, the Eagles did not earn their first shot on goal in the game until 7:08. On a Rage powerplay opportunity in the middle of the first period, Rage Captain Brent Cullaton sent a wrist shot from the right wing through a clutter of defenders out front and in net. Left winger Trevor Weisgerber and right winger Nathan Rosychuk assisted on the play.
The Rage unleashed in the second period scoring four goals. Adding to his goal in the first period, Cullaton scored, assisted or was on the ice in each of Rocky Mountain's goals. Rage players Weisgerber, Daymen Rycroft, Cullaton and Rosychuk peppered Eagles goaltender Bryan Bridges with a slew of shots to start the period. Bridges stopped all but one when Rosychuk earned Rocky Mountain's second goal at 1:57 from Weisgerber and Rycroft.
Weisgerber added his own goal at 4:31 sliding the puck under the left pad of Bridges. Rage defenseman Clay Plume fired a shot from just inside the blueline. Rycroft touched the puck out front to redirect it in net and gave the Rage a 4-0 lead at 9:03.
With 9:24 left on the clock in the second period. The Eagles replaced Bridges with goaltender Sebastien Laplante. Despite the change between pipes, Cullaton struck again earning his second goal of the game at 14:10 with a wrist shot just in front of the crease as he fell over an Eagles defender. Weisgerber and Rycroft assisted once again on the 5-on-3 powerplay goal.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard early in the third period at 0:56 with a goal by Colorado's leading scorer Ed McGrane. Aaron Schneekloth earned the helper. The Eagles' rally ended there however. Ladislav Kouba and Clay Plume each added a powerplay goal at 8:47 and 17:19, respectively, to close out scoring.
Rocky Mountain returns to action Tuesday night (Feb. 26) when they host the Oklahoma City Blazers. Single-game tickets for all home Rage games are on sale now and range in price from $16-$40 per seat (parking included), and may be purchased through Ticketmaster. Season tickets, mini-packs, and group plans are also available for the 2007-08 season by calling 303-439-RAGE. For more information, visit www.RockyMountainRage.com.
Fans not in attendance can listen in to The New ESPN Radio 1600 or tune in to CHL Network at www.RockyMountainRage.com for LIVE video.
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Central Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2008
- Lipsett's Hat Trick Not Enough, Gorillas Fall in Shootout - Amarillo Gorillas
- Hounds Beat Gorillas 5-4 In A Shootout - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Rage Regains Sole Possession of Division Lead - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Rage, Reid Retake First Place in Division - Colorado Eagles
- Bucks To Hold Press Conference Monday - Laredo Bucks
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