Eagles ECHL debut yields mixed results

LOVELAND, Colo. – After a brief but intense training camp at the Budweiser Events Center in late September, the latest entry into the ECHL, the Colorado Eagles, embarked on their first preseason match-up in Anchorage, Alaska.

Last season’s defending champions in the ECHL, the Alaska Aces, proved to be tough competition for the newly reminted and vastly different Eagles incarnation.
Game one between the two teams was very competitive, resulting in a 2-1 loss for Colorado, despite an outstanding performance from Eagles goalie Andrew Penner.
In the second game, the Aces had an easier time defeating the Eagles 4-1 after leading 3-0 in the third period. Patrick Cey, brother of former Eagles goaltender Morgan Cey, scored the only Eagles goal early in period three, to prevent the shutout.
The third and final game of the preseason was played at the Budweiser Event Center. The Las Vegas Wranglers topped the Eagles 4-3, in an exciting back and forth contest. Kyle Jones took the loss in goal, but not without some stellar saves in a strong effort between the pipes.
In preparation for the start of their first regular season ECHL game, Coach Chris Stewart and the Eagles staff pared down the training camp roster to 19 players for the trip to Stockton, California. Heading west were forwards, Jack Combs, Chad Costello, Michael Forney, Rhett Gordon, A.J. Hau, Liam Huculak, Patrick Knowlton, Anthony Maiani, Riley Nelson, Troy Ofukany and Aaron Slattengren. The Defensemen making the opening night roster were Jason Beatty, Jon Landry, Jake Marto, Alex Penner, Kyle Peto, and Aaron Schneekloth.
Marto and Forney were added to the Eagles roster by way of the AHL affiliate St. John‘s Ice Caps.
Decisions on four players have yet to be made, with Adam Chorneyko and Steve Haddon starting the season on IR, and goaltender Andrew Penner and Patrick Cey pending immigration resolution.
October 14, 2011 was the historic beginning to the Colorado Eagles ECHL experience. As befitting the occasion, the Eagles made their debut with a 5-2 win over the Stockton Thunder. Great goaltending from Kyle Jones and timely scoring including two goals from Chad Costello propelled the Eagles to the win at the Stockton Arena.

After a three and half hour bus ride to Bakersfield, California, Colorado faced the Condors in their second game in two nights on their ECHL introductory tour. In a 3-1 loss, that included a short-handed, empty netter from the Condor’s Peter Boyd with Aaron Slattengen scoring the only Eagles goal. Eagles’ netminder Kyle Jones stopped 28 of the 30 shots-on-net.
On Friday Oct. 21, the Colorado Eagles will be making their debut in front of the home crowd at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado. As a proud affiliate of the NHL Winnipeg Jets and the AHL St. John’s Ice Caps expect to see the same high level of hockey based on speed, hard hitting, and stellar goal tending that has always defined Eagles Hockey.
Head Coach Chris Stewart, speaking on a local radio show said, ” One thing we’ve got again this year, that we strive for, is the speed. We’ve got a lot of guys who can pick’em up and put’em down, as good as anybody in this league and probably in the upper leagues as well.” Contact the author/photographer at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com