RAPID CITY, SD. – The Colorado Eagles began the 2016-17 season with a 4-2 victory over the Rapid City Rush at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City on Friday. Eagles forward Luke Salazar notched a goal and an assist in the win, while Colorado goaltender Kent Simpson turned aside 34 of the 36 shots he faced on the evening.
Eagles forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel would turn defense into offense to create the game’s first goal and give the Eagles the 1-0 lead. The former ECHL All-Star would force a turnover at his own blue line to spring a rush down the ice, culminating in Salazar setting up Pierro-Zabotel in the low slot to hammer the puck past Rush goaltender Adin Hill at the 8:42 mark of the first period.
With time winding down in the period, Rush forward Hunter Fejes would field a rebound on top of the Eagles crease and fire it into the back of the net to knot the score at 1-1 with 1:22 remaining in the first frame.
Colorado would break the deadlock just 3:35 into the second period when forward Darryl Bootland deflected a shot from the point from fellow forward Conor O’Donnell, giving Colorado the 2-1 lead. That advantage would grow to two goals when rookie forward Cole Sanford tipped a shot from the left wing from defenseman Jake Marto to grow the Eagles lead to 3-1 at the 12:38 mark of the second period.
The Rush would again find an answer late in a period, as forward Josh MacDonald forced a turnover deep in the Eagles zone, wristing the loose puck into the net and cutting the Colorado lead to 3-2 with just 3:40 left in the middle frame.
Heading into the final period, the Eagles would thwart a furious effort from the Rush, as Salazar would ultimately add an empty-netter with 1:00 remaining to seal Colorado’s 4-2 victory over Rapid City.
The 2016-17 regular season home schedule kicks off on Saturday, October 15th when the Eagles host the Rapid City Rush. A complete schedule can be found at www.ColoradoEagles.com.
With Colorado Eagles release
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