Eagles atop the the Turner Conference at the quarter pole

LOVELAND, Colo. – With approximately one fourth of the current 66-game season behind them, the Colorado Eagles have accumulated 11 wins, four losses, and one overtime loss for a total of 23 points, earning the team first place in the Central Hockey League’s Turner Conference.

The Eagles continue to play remarkably well considering they had to be at least one man short for the first 22 games of the season as a result of suspensions handed out after a brawl in a pre-season game with the Odessa Jackalopes.
Oddly enough, the only suspended player left on the team is rookie defenseman George Bradley who has served his five-game suspension and is back playing well for the team. Defenseman Mario Joly was waived by the Eagles and has returned to Canada to continue his career although his three-game suspension had to be covered by the Eagles.
Brad Macmillan received the 22-game league suspension and was subsequently suspended by the Eagles on November 16th for his decision to leave the team after serving just half of his abeyance.
In an interview with Loveland Reporter Herald correspondant Adam Dunivan, Eagles Coach Chris Stewart indicated that financial considerations played a large part in MacMillan’s decision to leave hockey.
“Anytime we played a game, he was docked (a certain) amount of money, and when we’re playing three games a week, he just couldn’t stand that any longer.” Stewart said. “He couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel anymore. He was disappointed with the way things were handled with the league and with the PHPA.”
After losing the season opener to the Arizona Sundogs, the Eagles reeled off a string of eight wins in a row before losing back-to-back games with an overtime loss to the Tulsa Oilers and a one-goal loss in regulation to the Mississippi RiverKings.
A three-game set against the Rapid City Rush, of which the Eagles won two out of the three, was followed by a home and home series with the Wichita Thunder resulting in each team winning on their home ice.
Despite numerous injuries and a few additional suspensions that has shortened the Eagles bench on a regular basis, the team has responded to Coach Stewart’s no-nonsense, hard- nosed coaching style. Led by Kevin Ulanski, Riley Nelson, Daymen Rycroft and Scott May – speed and finesse are once again the hallmarks of Eagles hockey.
Great goaltending is also hugely important to a team that depends on the speed game. Thus far, rookie goalie Kyle Jones has taken the reigns from veteran netminder Andrew Penner and his play has led to the release of former cup-winning goalie, Tim Boron.
Defensively, joining the perennial All-Star Aaron Schneekloth and tough guy Jason Beatty on the blue line this year are a couple of surprises in Kyle Peto and Kip Workman. Peto leads all defenseman in points with 14 and Workman has seven points and a +/- rating of seven.
All of the elements appear to be in place for another outstanding season for the primary tenants of the Budweiser Events Center and their loyal fans!



Contact the author/photographer at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com