Eagles secure bid to CHL Finals

 

The loud and raucous home crowd was added inspiration as the Eagles came within one of matching the RiverKings in shots on goal and even led in that category at several points in the game particularly in the second period when Colorado’s 12 shots were double the RiverKings six.  Special teams were again significant in this game as Colorado killed off all seven of the Mississippi power plays and yet managed to make good on two of their six man-advantage opportunities as for once the penalties were evenly distributed between the teams. The scoring came from all over in this Game 6, with Aaron Schneekloth getting the first Colorado goal in the second period to tie the game at one after Bobby Chaumont’s earlier goal. Brett Hammond then score and was aided by Jay Birnie and Erik Adams six minutes into the third period to give the Colorado team a lead that they never relinquished. Konrad Reeder and Ed McGrane assisted as Greg Pankewicz twinkled the twine twenty-some seconds later to up the lead to 3 to 1. RiverKings centerman, Jeff Nelson, got the visitors back into the game late in the third frame with helpers going to Derek Landmesser and Andrew Lackner but less than a minute later Adam Hogg converted on a great effort from Jay Birnie to put the Eagles back on top by two goals at 4 to 2. “We had to play our game, keep things simple and don’t sit back,” said Hogg. “That was our problem the other night, we got up a few goals and sat back. Tonight we did a good job with special teams, our goalie did a good job, we got a couple bounces and now we are off to the finals.”

Birnie tallied two assists for two points was a +2 with two shots on goal and two penalty minutes played an inspired game. Considered as primarily an enforcer and a defensman he played the big power-forward role and made notable contributions to the win. “It’s about all the guys,” said Birnie. “We set goals at the start of the year and now we’ve got to go and complete the season. It’s not going to be easy, that’s a good team there in Texas, we are going to have to come out and play hard.” Acquired in the off season Ulanski, a former Denver University Pioneer, has good scoring skills and a mean streak. His contributions have been key to the Eagles regulr season as well as playoff successes. “Those guys gave us all we could handle,” said Ulanski. “Obviously being up 3 to 0 (in the series) and having a good lead in that fourth game it takes a lot of heart for those guys to battle back. They put a lot of pressure on us (by winning two games) down there. We came back home and we were fortunate to come out on top.” The Colorado Eagles were happy to have the win but they were quick to praise the heart and determination of the  RiverKings team and felt fortunate to come away with the Northern Conference title. Game one of the Ray Miron President’s Cup finals is scheduled to begin on Wednesday April, 29th at 7:05 P.M. at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado. The finals match-up is the Southern Conference champions, the Texas Brahmas, against the Northern Conference champions, the Colorado Eagles.