LOVELAND, Colo. – After sixty minutes of hockey in Game 2 of the CHL President’s Cup Finals nothing had been decided. It required an additional 8:28 of bonus hockey before Ed McGrane of the Eagles blasted the winner past Brahmas goalie, Brett Jaeger.
“Schneeks (Aaron Schneekloth) and Nellie (Riley Nelson) were playing catch with it (the puck) a bit.” said McGrane about his game-winning score. “I just tried to find a soft spot on the opposite side there. I made up my mind as soon as it came to me I was firing it so that’s what I did and I was fortunate it went in.”
Photo by Terry Sanford
This game started with a lot of promise for Colorado with the first goal of the game coming from Nelson, at 2:03 of the first period assisted by Jay Birnie and Adam Hogg.
“I just came off the bench and the puck was turned over. It came out to the high slot so I just tried to get a shot off. I think he (Jaeger) was screened on it, ” said Nelson, ” It was exciting to get up early in a game like that with the emotion running high. You want to keep rolling with it.”
Unfortunately for the Eagles they got into more penalty trouble during the remainder of the first period. Starting at the 10:47 mark and continuing until 17:43 the Colorado penalty box was seldom empty. The team received two minutes each for Brett Hammond, Hogg, Jason Beatty and a four minute double minor on Greg Pankewicz. All of these penalties eventually led to two power play goals from Brahmas sniper Scott Shepard for a 2-1 lead after one period of play.
In the second period Colorado played a much more disciplined game. They worked hard to create scoring chances and managed to score two goals on 17 shots. Konrad Reeder buried a pass from Schneekloth who was also assisted by Hogg to get the game even at 7:16 and Scott Polaski executed a beautiful one timer with assistance from Hogg and Erik Adams to take a 3 to 2 lead.
If the first period belonged to the Brahmas and the second period was dominated by the Eagles then it makes sense to have the third period played very evenly.
To start off the third period Birnie scored from the doorstep with assists from Hogg and Hammond at 3:19 for a 4 to 2 lead. Brahmas Coach, Dan Wildfong, called his time-out after the Birnie goal and 16 seconds later Jason Deitsch scored to draw within one goal.
Some sloppy play in the Eagles own zone on a power play lead to the tying goal for Texas. Brandon Benedict claimed the puck and sent a shorthanded unassisted goal past Eagles netminder Andrew Penner at 8:58. The score stayed tied at four for the rest of the third period which led to sudden death overtime.
Photo by Terry Sanford
Overtime started with both teams getting some great chances. Play went end-to-end several times before tempers flared between Pankewicz and Greg McConnell resulting in matching minors for roughing.
With the ice opened up as the teams played 4-on-4 hockey Justin Kinnunen was called for slashing while trying to slow down his opponent. Playing 4-on-3 the speedy Colorado foursome of Nelson, Kevin Ulanski, Nelson and Schneekloth were able to pass the puck around until McGrane got the puck and sent a one timer through Brett Jaeger for the 5 to 4 win.
Notes:
Birnie, the defenseman turned power forward due to injuries on the team, had another excellent game against the Brahmas. He scored the only goal for Colorado in the one regular season game against Texas and had a goal and an assist in Game 2. Birnie also made a great save on a puck that escaped Penner and was rolling towards an open net when Birnie got to it and managed to lift it out of danger.
Hogg assisted on all four regulation goals and was named second star of the game for his efforts.
The next game will be at the NYTEX Arena in North Richland Hills, Texas at 3:05 on Sunday, May 3rd.
Contact the author at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com
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