Eagles and Kings in semis

LOVELAND, Colo- After a murderously long wait the Colorado Eagles and the Mississippi RiverKings will begin their battle for the CHL’s Northern Conference crown on Wednesday April, 15th, 2009. The first game will be held at The Budweiser Events Center home of the Governor’s Cup-winning Colorado Eagles.

 
Having the teams with the two best records in the Northern Conference challenge for the conference title illustrates how the cream of the CHL crop does indeed rise to the top. With 45 wins, 15 losses, and three overtime losses for 94 points the Eagles captured the home ice advantage over the RiverKings who had 44 wins, 17 losses, and three overtime losses for 91 points, by a slim three point margin. Comparing the records of the contenders the chance of a sweep by either team appears unlikely. The RiverKings and the Eagles are very well matched despite their differing playing styles.
Coaching
 
Kevin McClelland and Kevin Kaminski each having had significant pro careers before turning to coaching. Both coaches were hard-nosed players in the NHL and the minors and bring the intensity to their respective clubs.
 
McClelland, a tough winger and four-time Stanley Cup winner, has brought a sense of determination to the Eagles. His winning ways have produced a blueprint for a championship and if he is able to instill that in the players on the ice the 2008-2009 Governor’s Cup winners will become the 2008-2009 President’s Cup winners.
 
Much like his successes with the now defunct Youngstown SteelHounds, Kaminski has translated the tenacious defensive posture from his first CHL coaching position to his second. The RiverKings will battle for every puck and seek to jump on any possible mistake by their opponents.
 
Edge: Push, no huge difference here.
Offense
 
Although the RiverKings are perceived to play a more defensive style they still can put up the goals. They scored 242 goals this season as compared to 275 for the Eagles. Mississippi has a balanced scoring lineup with top scorers like Louis Dumont, Martin Gascon and former Eagles skater Garret Larson who finished with over 60 points each and then a large majority of players contributed between 14 and 58 points during the year. The goalies were the only players on the RiverKings team to score less than 14 points.
 
On the other hand, starting with Greg Pankewicz 85 points, Kevin Ulanski 83 points, Riley Nelson 82 points, Ed McGrane 81 points the Eagles have a lot of scoring at the top end as well as some solid numbers in the middle between 24 and 70 points. The scoring tails off quickly after that. The role players and grit guys on this team can score but they know what the team needs from them and focus on their jobs.
 
Edge: Mississippi
 
 
Defense
 
Scott Polaski, Aaron Schneekloth and Erik Adams comprise the core defensive team for the Eagles. These three have played every game this year and along with their speed and puck-handling abilities they know how to score goals and will jump into the play or make the play with equal ease. With the aforementioned group of blue-liners doing double duty the defensive specialists, Jay Birnie, Jason Beatty and recently-reacquired veteran defenseman, Aaron Grosul, are free to focus on the more defensive aspects of the game.
 
As is fitting with a team whose captain is defenseman Derek Landmesser the RiverKings play a defensive-oriented game of forcing mistakes and then capitalizing on them.
 
Stephen Margeson and David Simoes were both brought on board by Kaminski from their Youngstown days. They are both tough defensemen who are familiar to the Eagles players from many battles with the SteelHounds.
 
Edge: Colorado
 
Goaltending
 
It is hard to find a lot of differences between the two top goalies in this series. Both Andrew Penner for the Eagles and Kevin Beech with the RiverKings are big strong mobile guys who can stop a lot of pucks and they can both make those amazing “how did he do that saves,”?
 
Penner with a save percentage of .915 has a slight edge on Beech’s .906 and Beech has a lower goals against average with 2.44 compared with Penner’s 2.69. There really is nothing significant to cause one to stand out over the other.
 
Edge: None, this is truly a push.
 
Series prediction: Too close to call.
 
Contact the author and photographer at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com
 
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