Eagles clinch first ECHL Playoff berth

LOVELAND, Colo – After squandering their first opportunity to clinch a playoff

berth with a loss to Bakersfield last Saturday night the Colorado Eagles, ECHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets, earned the necessary points to secure their first ever ECHL playoff berth by defeating the Stockton Thunder 5 to 4 on Tuesday.
 
A wide open first period saw the Eagles jump out to an early 4 to 2 lead by virtue of Chad Costello’s first period hat trick and a goal from defenseman Ben Chiarot. Stockton’s first period goal scorers were Jason Morgan and Max Campbell.
 
The second period was a much tighter period of hockey with the only goal recorded by Chris D’Alvise bringing the Thunder within one early in the frame.
 
The Eagles and Thunder traded goals in the final period with Kevin Ulanski netting his 23rd of the season on an Eagles Power Play to restore the home team’s two goal lead at 8:46 of the third period. Stockton forward Jordan Fulton closed the gap to one goal with a shorthanded tally at 13:27 thus accounting for the final score of 5 to 4 in favor of the Colorado Eagles.
 
Kyle Jones stopped 34 of 38 shots to register the win while Thomas Heemskerk took the loss stopping 27 of the Eagles 32 shots on goal.
 
The two teams will meet again tonight at 7:05 P.M. MST at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Co.
 
Contact the author/photographer at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com