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CHL Colorado Eagles

Ward's Hat Trick Leads Odessa Over Eagles

February 29, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


ODESSA, Texas - The Odessa Jackalopes used the power play (going two for seven on the man advantage) and two empty-net goals to beat the Colorado 5-2. Sebastien Laplante stopped 25 of 28 shots, but was out-done by Alexandre Vincent at the other end of the ice as the Eagles missed another chance at tying the Rage for first in the division.

The Jackalopes took advantage of an Eagle's squad called for three minor penalties in the first half of the opening period to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Mark Johnson got the first goal for Odessa at 3:34 when he put in a Mario Joly point shot that had been re-directed in front. The 'Jacks struck again at 6:25 when Nathan Ward got his 16th goal of the season by poking a Sebastien Thinel rebound past Laplante.

Colorado answered with a strong second period, out-shooting Odessa 19-8 on their way to evening the score at two goals apiece. Dave Iannazzo and Seth Leonard teamed up at 3:30 for the Eagles' first goal as Iannazzo sent a pass from between the circles to Leonard cutting through the low right circle on the rush; Leonard quickly snapped the puck past Vincent. Fraser Filipic made it 2-2 at 7:07 with one of the team's prettier goals of the season as he took a Riley Nelson feed in stride and beat Joly wide along the left-wing boards before cutting across the low slot and beating Vincent top-shelf.

The Eagles controlled most of the third period but couldn't beat Vincent again as Ward added two more goals - one on the power play, the other into an empty net - for a hat trick, and Jocelyn Dubord added another empty-netter with under 30 seconds remaining for the final margin.

Colorado heads to New Mexico for a game Saturday before returning home to host the Sundogs on Monday; Monday's game will be televised on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.

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