Eagles, Sundogs split opening weekend games

LOVELAND, Colo. – For the first time in their existence, the Colorado Eagles did not have a new banner to hang in the rafters on opening night of the 2010-11 hockey season. That was primary among the reasons for a more subdued celebration when the recharged version of the Eagles opened the season against the Arizona Sundogs on Friday night.
There were no loud, smoky, retina burning fireworks – just a spotlight and a bit of dry ice to lend a festive air to the introduction of the new team. With eleven different players on the roster than at the end of last season, the sold-out crowd strained to hear new names and commit new numbers to memory. The loudest cheers were heard during the introductions of familiar names, including a mysteriously absent fan favorite, assistant coach Greg Pankewicz.
Also absent was a full roster of players. After the league handed down suspensions for altercations that took place during the pre-season game against Odessa on October 9th, the Eagles were able to dress just 15 players. 

Arizona controlled the play early in Friday night’s game – with slightly more than half the first period gone, they had taken a 2-0 lead on goals by Chase Watson and Joey Sides. But Colorado fought back as Eagles Captain Riley Nelson hit the back of the twine at the 15:28 mark to cut the Sundogs’ lead in half.
The second period was all Eagles as they found their legs and skated hard to record the only two goals of middle frame. Former Rocky Mountain Rage and new Eagles sniper Daymen Rycroft tallied the equalizer just 55 seconds in and another new Eagles player, Scott May, recorded the go-ahead goal with one tic left on the clock.
Leading 3-2 after the second intermission, the Eagles were overtaken by fresher Sundogs skaters who scored early, in the middle and late in the period. Steve Kaye scored 59 seconds after the puck drop to tie the contests at 3-3. Mark Kolanos scored the go-ahead goal at the 8:00 minute mark and Jason Williams netted the clincher at 18:07 to give the Sundogs their first win of the season by the score of 5-3.
 
Game two was played the following night. Determined to play a more physical game and avoid an opening weekend sweep by the visiting team, the Eagles made some changes to their lineup. Rookie goalie Kyle Jones replaced last seasons starter and presumed number one goalie, Andrew Penner. On the forward lines, Braden Desmet replaced Matt Glasser for the second game.
Another newcomer to the team, Dylan Stanley, scored the first goal 16:04 into the first period, giving the Eagles a lead they would not relinquish for  the remainder of the contest. Three goals in less than three minutes early in the middle period created an insurmountable lead at 4-0. The feisty Sundogs rallied to erase the goose egg at the twelve minute mark to make it 4-1 but the Eagles’ captain scored his second goal in two games to increase the lead to 5-1.
Late in the third period, Arizona finally got a couple more goals past the Eagles ‘tender to make the score a little more respectable, but the home team came away with a win that was the reverse score of Friday night’s loss at 5-3.
It will be difficult to prognosticate until we see what the full Eagles team will look like after the suspensions are served. One thing to count on for the Recharged Colorado Eagles of 2010-11 is that they will be fast, hard working, hard nosed and talented all around. Head Coach/GM/Team President Chris Stewart will accept nothing less.
Stewart has restructured the current roster from remnants of previous teams. With one returnee from from the original 2003-04 roster and just six players from last season’s team, it may take a while for chemistry to build.
But keep in mind that Coach Stewart has the reigns fully in hand and will not hesitate to trade, release or sign players as he sees fit. His track record as a coach speaks for its self, and this is his team. That can only bode well for more banners in the rafters at the Budweiser Events Center. Contact the author/photographer at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com