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CHL Colorado Eagles

SteelHounds Stay Alive With Win

April 3, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown SteelHounds avoided a season-ending loss in a 5-2 victory over the Colorado Eagles in Game Four of the Northern Conference Semi-finals. Kevin Beech got his first start in net in the playoffs as Andy Franck had lost all three previous meetings for Youngstown in the series. The loss prevented Colorado from securing their first playoff sweep in franchise history.

Youngstown came out hard in the first period, carrying the majority of play and nearly tripling up the Eagles on shots. But Sebastien Laplante was stellar - as he's been all series long - and the two teams entered their respective locker rooms without a goal after 20 minutes of play.

The SteelHounds continued to carry the momentum, scoring three goals by the midpoint of the second period. Just 13 seconds in, Ryan Bennett struck on the power play - notching his first goal of the series after scoring six in four games against the Eagles in the regular season. The quick strike was the fastest goal allowed to start a playoff period in Eagles' franchise history. Mark Odut made it 2-0 at 3:27 when he converted a short-handed breakaway, beating Laplante 5-hole. And at 10:49, Eric Przepiorka set up Jim Russo back-door for the amateur-addition's first professional goal.

At that point, the SteelHounds had out-shot the Eagles 27-11 and Chris Stewart called a timeout to re-collect his squad. The regrouping seemed to work as the momentum soon shifted in Colorado's favor.

The Eagles' third line put in a solid shift moments later and soon after, Jay Birnie would get the Eagles on the scoreboard. After another strong cycling effort - this time by Greg Pankewicz's line - Birnie's shot found the back of the net behind Beech. Riley Nelson was then robbed in front after intercepting a pass in the right-wing circle and skating in on the 'Hounds netminder. But Colorado just kept coming. With the Eagles on the power play at the 16 minute mark, Beech made another solid save on Aaron Schneekloth moving left to right, but Ryan Tobler would deflect a shot from in front as the play continued to cut Youngstown's lead to 3-2. Bennett, however, would slow the Eagles' newfound momentum as the period wound down, backhanding in a rebound from in front to restore his team's two-goal lead.

Youngstown made it 5-2 with another power-play goal - after scoring just three in the previous three games - to account for the final margin. The physical play went up a notch or two from there on out as the two teams created some bad blood that will surely spill over in Game Five Friday night.

Colorado will have a chance to close out the series with their fourth win Friday evening. If the SteelHounds win again on Friday, Game(s) Six and Seven (if necessary) will be at the Budweiser Events Center on April 8 and 9.

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Central Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2008


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