Rage Unable to Sweep Eagles

Published on February 13, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release


Loveland, Colo. - In the second game of a home-and-home series between the top two teams in the Northwest Division, the Rocky Mountain Rage fell short trying to overcome a two-goal third-period deficit, ultimately giving up two empty-netters in a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Eagles at the Budweiser Events Center.

Last night in the first game of the two-game set, Rocky Mountain defeated Colorado, 5-3, at Broomfield Event Center.

After Rage netminder Scott Reid stopped all 18 shots he saw in the first period to keep his club even in a scoreless tie through 20 minutes, the Eagles broke through in the second period, scoring on each of their first three shots in the frame.

Kris Wiebe finally lit the lamp at 1:06 and was followed at 3:02 by Jay Birnie. Rocky Mountain's Simon Watson notched his 20th of the year to cut Colorado's lead in half just 18 seconds later, but the Eagle's Riley Nelson countered at 4:31 to give his team a 3-1 edge through 40 minutes.

The Rage pulled within one 6:49 into the final period when Trevor Weisgerber matched Watson with his 20th of the season, as the duo joined teammates Daymen Rycroft (38 goals) and Scott Wray (27) in the 20-goal club.

Skating on the power play soon thereafter looking to forge a tie, Rocky Mountain gave up a short-handed break-away to Nelson, who was hooked up from behind by Tyler Butler. Nelson was awarded a penalty shot, and he made no mistake past Reid to restore the Eagles' two-goal margin. Reid was then given a game misconduct and replaced between the pipes Terry Dunbar.

The Rage remained on the power play, though, and again made it a one-goal game after Rycroft went top shelf with his league-leading 18th power play marker of the year at 9:53. Over the final 10 minutes, Rocky Mountain was forced to kill-off three Colorado power plays, which effectively thwarted the team's effort to tie the game.

Dunbar was pulled with just under two minutes remaining, and the Rage generated good chances bidding for the equalizer. But Seth Leonard eventually broke free to score the Eagles' first empty-netter at 19:13 before Kris Wiebe finally put the game on ice with another empty-net goal at 19:52.

The loss was just the second in regulation for Rocky Mountain in eight games against Colorado this season, dropping the team to 5-2-1 in the 12-game season series. The Rage are now 30-12-4 with 64 points, five points ahead of the Eagles atop the Northwest Division.

Tonight kicked off a three-game road trip for Rocky Mountain, who now travels to Prescott Valley, Ariz., for a pair of games against the Arizona Sundogs on Friday and Saturday. Both games can be heard live on The New ESPN Radio 1600 beginning at 6:55 p.m. MST with the pre-game show. Live audio and video will also be streamed online via www.rockymountainrage.com.

The Rage then return home on Friday, Feb. 22, when the Oklahoma City Blazers visit Broomfield Event Center at 7:05 p.m.

Single-game tickets for the remainder of the 2007-08 regular season are available with prices ranging from $18 - $43 per seat (parking included). Fans can purchase tickets at Broomfield Event Center's box office or through Ticketmaster by logging-on to www.Ticketmaster.com, calling (303) 830-TIXS, or visiting any Ticketmaster retail outlet.

For group ticket information, please call the Rage at (303) 439-RAGE or visit www.rockymountainrage.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 13, 2008


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