 |
Power
Play |
20.3%
- 3rd |
Penalty
Killing |
81.2%
- 11th |
FORWARDS |
RILEY
NELSON |
37-54-91
(+31) |
ED
McGRANE |
35-54-89
(+13) |
GREG
PANKEWICZ |
24-52-76
(+22) |
DEFENSEMEN |
AARON
SCHNEEKLOTH |
21-39-60
(+18) |
BRAD
WILLIAMSON |
9-31-40
(+11) |
LES
BORSHEIM |
9-13-22
(0) |
GOALTENDERS |
SEBASTIEN
LAPLANTE |
11-7-2
(1 SO)
3.25 GA
.912 PCT |
|
BRYAN
BRIDGES |
8-5-2
(0 SO)
3.47 GA
.893 PCT |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Colorado
vs Arizona |
|
|
SCHEDULE |
| 1 |
MAY
1 |
COLORADO
4 - ARIZONA 6 |
SEED
2 |
2 |
MAY
3 |
COLORADO
2 - ARIZONA 5 |
SEED
2 |
37-20-7
(81) |
3 |
MAY
7 |
ARIZONA
5 - COLORADO 2 |
38-19-6
(82) |
| |
4 |
MAY
9 |
ARIZONA
6 - COLORADO 3 |
|
| |
5 |
MAY
11 |
ARIZONA
at COLORADO |
|
| |
6 |
MAY
13 |
COLORADO
at ARIZONA |
|
| |
7 |
MAY
14 |
COLORADO
at ARIZONA |
|
| Arizona
Wins Series 4-0 |
|
SERIES
PREVIEW
|
|
|
With
a regular season record of 37-20-7 the 2007-2008 Colorado
Eagles won the regular season Northern Division title
and a second seed in the playoffs. The second round saw
them play a thrilling and very physical match with the
Youngstown Steelhounds. It took five grueling games for
the Eagles to overcome the Steelhounds and advance to
the semi-finals where they faced the surprisingly tough
and resilient Texas Brahmas. The Brahmas were able to
push the Eagles to a Game 7 before Colorado finally prevailed.
Up next is the Ray Miron Cup League Championship series
pitting the Eagles against the Arizona Sundogs. If the
Eagles should win they will be the only team in North
America to repeat as champions this season.
The Eagles forwards expected to create the greatest impact
on the outcome of the series include the captain Greg
Pankewicz, although his contributions may be limited if
the remaining two games of his suspension are upheld.
Whenever he is available to play he will bring his NHL-caliber
shot and overall masterful hockey smarts to the game.
Talented veteran and this year's leading scorer, Riley
Nelson is still the most dangerous and unpredictable sniper
on the Eagles team. His speed and tenacity continue to
keep him playing at the same high level as the previous
four years in the league.
Big power forward and veteran winger Ryan Tobler continues
his dominance in front of the net where he scores those
dirty low down goals on rebounds and tip-ins. In addition
his large body is a great screen for the goalie.
Ed McGrane is another high scoring forward who battled
Nelson for the team scoring title right down to the last
game of the season. (Nelson ended with 81 points to McGrane's
79 points). In the playoffs so far McGrane with his 12
points has only one less than Pankewicz's team-leading
13 points.
Two other forwards with impact capabilities are quick
and agile winger Seth Leonard and possibly the best skater
on the team, Scott Polaski. These two bring different
types of skill to the game but both bring the indispensable
element of speed for which there is no substitute when
it comes to playoff hockey.
On defense Aaron Schneekloth has continued to be remarkably
adaptable and offensively gifted. He has already been
the difference maker in several of the playoff games to
date. Although he has no goals yet he has six assists
and can always be counted on to be defensively responsible.
Brad Williamson still plays his same highly skilled game
of keeping the opposing forwards out of the prime scoring
areas and clearing pucks and enemy players out of the
goal crease. Durable and dedicated, Williamson is the
veteran leader on defense.
Two more defensive specialists for the Eagles that can
be counted on to play major roles are Erik Adams and Les
Borsheim. Adams puck handling and “escapability” make
him a very valuable asset on the blue line. Each game
he plays he appears to get better. Borsheim backs down
from no man and he can lay a devastating hit at an opportune
moment. His impact can literally change the flavor of
a game.
The trade for goaltender Sebastien Laplante has continued
to pay dividends in the playoffs. Laplante has been very
good most games and spectacular when need be. He has matched
the CHL playoff shutout record and chances are he has
not had his last playoff shutout this season.
The Eagles and Sundogs have already established a healthy
rivalry. Although in different conferences they have played
enough hard fought battles over the last two seasons to
instill a sense of enmity. Both teams have had their best
luck against one another at home. The Sundogs better season
win loss record gives them the home ice advantage. That
could easily be the biggest difference maker in this series.
This series is really too close to call. With one intangible
that may or may not have an impact, Marco Emond, the Eagles
starting goalie for most of this season and one of the
goalies that took the Colorado Eagles to the President's
Cup victory last season is now a member of the goalie
tandem in Arizona. He has struggled in the playoffs thus
far but may be motivated to avenge his unwanted trade
to Wichita and subsequent trade to the Sundogs by stealing
a game or two from the Eagles.
Arizona is the CHL’s new kid on the block. In just their
second year in the league, they find themselves competing
for the championship with a Colorado Eagles team that's
been there, and been there and been there.
Offense:
Three of the top four 2008 playoff scoring leaders are
Sundogs. Cory Urquhart ranks first Alex Leavitt second
and Chris Bartolone sits at fourth. The trio has combined
for 23 goals and 38 assists thus far. You have to go all
the way down to the tenth position to find a Colorado
Eagles player and that's Greg Pankewicz who will be absent
for Games 1 and 2 while he completes a three-game suspension
for his antics in Game 6 against the Texas Brahmas. You
cannot over look Tyler Redenbach who spent half his CHL
season in the AHL, but still managed to score 66 points
(including 48 assists) during the regular season. Redenbach's
expertise is getting the puck to his line-mates. He has
one goal and eight assists in seven playoff games this
season.
Defense:
Arizona's defense is better known for its offense. Bartolone
has five goals and 17 points while Dan Laperriere has
two goals and 13 points in 13 playoff games. Overall,
the defense has been a little better than average and
at times inconsistent. Defense is not Arizona's forte.
Goaltending:
The Sundog's goaltending duo of Robert McVicar and Marco
Emond has been both inconsistent and unpredictable of
late. While Arizona scores a lot of goals, the net-minders
give up more than their share. In nine playoff games,
McVicar has a goals against average of 3.63 and is stopping
90% of the shots he faces. In six games Emond has a goals
against average of 4.62 and a save percentage of only
.891. Opponents have scored four or more goals in seven
of the Sundogs 13 playoff games. When you're trying to
win a cup, those are not the kind of numbers you want
to see from your last line of defense.
The President's Cup Finals between the Colorado Eagles
and the Arizona Sundogs will get underway Thursday, May
1st at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona.
|
|
Game
1 |
Colorado 4 - Arizona 6 |
| by Mitch Cooper - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Arizona
Leads Series 1-0 |
Prescott Valley, AZ - Cory Urquhart's hat trick led the Arizona Sundogs to a
6-4 win over the Colorado Eagles in the CHL President's Cup opener Thursday
night, giving them a 1-0 advantage in the series.
Colorado got the upper hand in the first period on goals by Riley Nelson and
Jason Beatty. Dan Laperriere scored for the Sundogs who trailed 2-1 after the
first intermission. Nelson had a hand in all four Colorado goals, scoring one
and assisting on three.
Colorado's lead quickly evaporated a little over a minute into the second period
when Steve Rymsha and Cory Urquhart scored goals less than 30 seconds apart. But
Brad Williamson scored a late period goal for the Eagles to tie the game at
three.
Arizona attacked the net time and time again in the third period, scoring three
consecutive goals to break the game wide open. Alex Leavitt opened the scoring
with a power play goal and Urquhart completed his hat trick with back-to-back
goals. Urquhart has 16 goals in the playoffs, just one shy of Colorado forward
Greg Pankewicz's record, set in last year's playoffs.
Brad Williamson scored a late power play goal for Colorado to pull them within
two, but that's where the scoring ended.
The six goals against Colorado goaltender Sebastien Laplante, who came into the
finals with a playoff goals against average of less than three, were the most
scored against him.
The Eagles sorely missed Pankewicz who sat out the second game of his three-game
imposed league suspension.
"I think it's huge; he's one of the top players in this league," Urquhart told
the Prescott Valley Daily Courier. "He brings a lot to his team, a lot of
confidence, a lot of experience and a lot of talent. We definitely knew that he
was missing. ... We need to take advantage of that. We know when he comes back,
we'll need to key on him because he's such a good player."
Game two is scheduled for Saturday night at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott
Valley.
Contact the writer at: mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com |
|
Game
2 |
Colorado
1 - Arizona 5 |
| by
Mitch Cooper - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Arizona
Leads Series 2-0 |
Prescott
Valley, AZ - The
Arizona Sundogs used their special teams play to drop
Colorado 5-1 and take a two games to none lead in the
CHL President's Cup finals.
Unlike Game 1, the outcome of this game never seemed to
be in doubt. Power play goals by Steve Rymsha and Tyler
Redenbach, sandwiched around a shorthanded goal by Tyler
Liebel gave the Sundogs a 3-0 lead after the first period.
Redenbach added three assists to his goal and Dan Laperriere
also had three assists.
All three first period goals were scored against Colorado
goaltender Sabastien Laplante who was pulled in favor
of Bryan Bridges with just under 14 minutes gone in the
game. Until this series, Laplante had been very steady
in goal, but has given up nine goals in less than four
periods in the finals.
Colorado's only goal of the game was also a power play
goal. Erik Adams beat Robert McVicar early in the second
period to pull the Eagles within two goals. McVicar stopped
30 of 31 shots.
The Sundogs answered later in the period when Mark Kolanos
scored the Sundogs third power play goal of the game.
Unlike Arizona, the Eagles couldn't take advantage of
their power play opportunities. Colorado was one for seven
while Arizona was three for six plus a "shorty".
The series now moves to Colorado for Games 3, 4 and if
necessary, Game 5. Colorado had the best regular season
home record in the CHL, winning 27 of 32 games.
The Eagles don't think McVicar is invincible and are conceding
nothing to the Sundogs.
"We're going to get to him, no question," Colorado forward
Ryan Tobler told the Prescott Valley Daily Courier. "He's
getting lucky."
Contact the writer at: mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com |
|
Game
3 |
Arizona
5 - Colorado 2 |
| by
Terry Sanford - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Arizona
Leads Series 3-0 |
Windsor,
CO - After
dropping Games 1 and 2 to the Arizona Sundogs in Prescott
Valley the Eagles returned home to the Budweiser Events
Center in Loveland, Colorado expecting to put Game 3 in
the win column. The Sundogs had other ideas and it was
the visitors who added another game to their win total.
Period one was played to a one to one draw with Jason
Visser scoring for the Sundogs at 16:14 and Ryan Tobler
scoring for the Eagles less than thirty seconds later.
Tyler Leibel and Dusty Collins assisted on the Visser
goal with Riley Nelson and Greg Pankewicz assisting Tobler
for the Eagles score.
For the Eagles the highlight of the first period was Sebastien
Laplante coming way out of the net to challenge an Arizona
breakaway. Laplante poke checked the puck away and denied
the scoring chance.
The only goal that counted in period two was a scored
when Colorado's Jason Beatty lost the puck in his skates
resulting in a perfect setup for the one timer from by
Mark Kolanos. A potential Eagles tying goal was waived
off when Ian Croft blew the play dead before the puck
crossed the goal line.
With the score 2 to 1 in favor of the Sundogs to start
the third period, Colorado continued to take the play
to Arizona but Kolanos got his second goal of the game
on the power play for a 3 to 1 lead. Alex Leavitt scored
at 10:08 to make the score 4 to 1 for Arizona.
Tobler cut that lead in half with his second goal of the
night at 16:52 of the third. Once Pankewicz and Riley
Nelson got the assists. A little over a minute later,
Kolanos finished off his hattrick to put an end to the
Eagles comeback attempt.
The hometeam continued to battle hard to the end and played
"Eagles Hockey", throwing 24 of their 53 total shots on
net in the third period but victory eluded them and now
the Eagles face the nearly insurmountable task of having
to win the next four games in a row in order to retain
the President's Cup.
Friday, May 9th at the Budweiser Events Center will see
Game 4 of the CHL's Ray Miron Cup finals with Arizona
holding a three games to none lead over the Colorado Eagles.
Contact the author at terry.sanford@prohockeymews.com |
|
Game
4 |
Arizona
6 - Colorado 3 |
| by
Terry Sanford - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Arizona
Wins Series 4-0 |
Loveland,
CO - Continuing
a trend in Colorado sports this year, another local professional
sports club has been swept in a playoff series.
Last October the Colorado Rockies lost in four straight
games to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, the Denver
Nuggets were pummeled by the Los Angeles Lakers in four
consecutive games a few weeks ago in the first round of
the NBA playoffs. In NHL hockey, the Colorado Avalanche
were swept in a second round series by the Detroit Red
Wings. and now the CHL Colorado Eagles lost four games
to none in a best-of-seven series against the Arizona
Sundogs.
It was another tough contest for the Eagles as they played
like a team on the verge of elimination, they out-shot
the Sundogs again, this time recording 44 shots to Arizona's
35, yet Arizona goalie Rob McVicar stopped 41 of them
for the victory to earn Playoff MVP status.
In retrospect, the Eagles sloppy start, taking four penalties
in the first period and giving up two power play goals,
put them in a hole that they never were able to fully
climb out of. Steve Rymsha, and playoff scoring leader,
Cory Urquhart, scored the power play goals for Arizona
in period one but Colorado managed to cut that lead in
half on a Jason Beatty goal scored with the extra man
on a delayed penalty.
Period two was the Eagles best period of the game and
maybe even the best period of the series as the home town
team led the visitors 21 to 12 in shots and Fraser Filipic
scored to tie the game at two apiece at 8:22 of the second
period. The Colorado team kept up the pace and had several
good scoring chances but the Eagles were unable to get
anything else by McVicar in that frame and the Sundogs
third goal with only 6.7 seconds left in the period seemed
to break the spirit of the defending champs.
 |
When the Sundogs Kyle Hood scored early in the third period
followed by a shorthanded goal from Tyler Redenbach a
minute later to make it 5 to 2 starting goalie Bryan Bridges
was pulled in favor of Sebastien Laplante. Bridges was
a surprise starter in this game as Laplante had carried
the load through most of the latter part of the season
and nearly all of the playoff games. The goalie change
did not stem the momentum created by Arizona as that lead
held up until late in the period when Ed McGrane scored
goal number three for the Eagles. Finding themselves down
by only two goals gave the Colorado team a brief moment
of hope as they pulled the goalie for the extra attacker,
unfortunately the result was an Alex Leavitt empty net
goal to seal the deal at 6 to 3.
It was a stunned and disappointed Colorado Eagles team
that went through the handshake line and headed toward
their locker room but Eagles Coach Chris Stewart, had
his players stay on the ice and give respect to the Arizona
Sundogs as Rob McVicar received the Playoff MVP award
and the Sundogs captain Chris Bartolone accepted the Ray
Miron President's Cup for the CHL League Champions.
 |
The ecstatic Arizona players skated the cup and did the
traditional pig pile picture to celebrate the victory
but an enterprising Sundogs player found a pair of scissors
and cut a piece out of the goal net for a souvenir, soon
several others followed suit. Until the team receives
their championship bling this fall, the piece of Colorado
goal net will give them a tangible reminder of what this
young team has accomplished.
Perhaps the joy was summarized by one Arizona player as
the quote of the night by a player celebrating on the
ice was, "I am so happy I can't stop cussing!"
Contact the author at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com
Contact the author at terry.sanford@prohockeymews.com |
|
|
 |
|
 |
Power
Play |
26.8%
- 1st |
Penalty
Killing |
79.0%
- 14th |
FORWARDS |
ALEX
LEAVITT |
40-88-128
(+20) |
MARK
KOLANOS |
31-31-62
(+2) |
JASON
VISSER |
19-38-57
(+11) |
DEFENSEMEN |
CHRIS
BARTOLONE |
18-42-60
(+25) |
DAN
LAPERRIERE |
18-33-51
(+11) |
JON
LANDRY |
9-33-42
(+22) |
GOALTENDERS |
ROB
McVICAR |
11-4-2
(0 SO)
3.66 GA
.903 PCT |
|
MARCO
EMOND |
5-3-0
(0 SO)
4.50 GA
.879 PCT |
|
|
|
