RAPID CITY, S.D. – A battle between two talented goaltenders Wednesday night ended in a 1-0 victory for the visiting Colorado Eagles who will face the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in the Ray Miron President’s Cup final. 
Colorado’s Kyle Jones outlasted Rapid City’s Tim Boron in defense of their respective nets and the deciding game seven of the Turner Conference final ended when Eagles captain Riley Nelson tallied the lone goal of the contest with just 1:48 remaining in regulation.
The Rush out shot the Eagles 18-12 shot advantage in the opening frame, but Jones stellar goaltending kept the game scoreless.
Colorado turned the table, out shooting the Rush 12-5 in the middle period but former Eagles netminder Tim Boron rose to the occasion, stopping every shot sent in his direction.
The final period was was pretty even with the Rush holding a 9-7 shot advantage, but the Eagles finally broke the stalemate at the 18:12 mark when Daymen Rycroft’s shot was initially stopped, but the rebound came to the left side of the net where Nelson was positioned and he slammed it past Boron for the game-winner. Kyle Peto was credited with the secondary assist.
The Rush went 0-for-2 on the power play while the Eagles came up short on their lone opportunity.
The final shot count narrowly favored Rapid City at 32-31. Kyle Jones stopped all 32 shots face to earn his first shut out of the post-season. Tim Boron stopped 30 of 31 shots faced and accepted the loss.
Following the customary handshake between the teams, CHL Director of Hockey Operations Jim Wiley presented the Turner Conference Championship trophy to Nelson, who did not touch the trophy per hockey superstition.
The Eagles will have h ome-ice advantage over the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in a best-of-seven series to claim the Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup.
Games 1 and 2 will be played at the Budweiser Events Center on Friday, May 13 & Saturday, May 14.
Contact the writer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
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