SOUTHAVEN, Miss. – Game three of the CHL’s Ray Miron President’s Cup Northern Conference finals was just as closely contested and physical as the preceding two games. The results were also the same as in the first two games–the top-seeded Colorado Eagles have won all three games against the Mississippi RiverKings in this best-of-seven series.
Adam Hogg, one of the Eagles unheralded but essential role players, showed his skill with a sweet no-look pass to linemate Steve Haddon for the first goal of the game at the 16:15 mark of the first period. It was one of those “bonus goals” Hogg says his line is apt to net in the course of playing their checking role.
Kevin Kaminski, coach of the RiverKings, said after the game two loss back in Colorado, “We have to find a way to get in his (Andrew Penner’s) kitchen.”
With that in mind late in the first period big Adam Smyth sought to not only get in Penner’s kitchen but tried to do a little cooking while he was there, much to the dismay of Penner, who slashed the RiverKing forward in retaliation. Penner stood his ground and showed he is not afraid to defend himself.
The physical play for the RiverKings in game three was decidedly more violent with two Colorado players knocked out of the game in two separate incidents. The first hit was penalized by the officials.
Photo by Terry Sanford
Ryan Tobler who leads the Eagles in goal scoring in the playoffs was low bridged by Stephen Margeson in the second period. After spending the remainder of the period sitting on the bench Tobler skated slowly to the locker room and did not return in the third period.
A tripping penalty was called on Margeson and in the ensuing power play Ed McGrane scored with help from Riley Nelson and Kevin Ulanski to give the Eagles a two goal lead.
Joe Markusen got the ‘Kings on the board a few minutes later by somehow bouncing the puck into the net off Penner’s back.
In the third period Hogg, who scored Colorado’s first goal was injured by a knee-on-knee hit from Markusen. Hogg had to be helped off the ice and did not return for the remainder of the game. The officials did not see any infraction therefore no penalty was accessed.
Despite the depleted bench and the lopsided shots on goal, the Eagles managed to keep the RiverKings off the scoreboard for the rest of the third period which included over two minutes of six-on-five play to end the game.
Colorado’s Penner ended up facing 48 shots and stopping 47 for the win while Mississippi’s Kevin Beech faced 21 shots and stopped 19 in the loss.
Game four will be played Thursday April 23 at 7:05 P.M. at the Desoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi.
Contact the author and photographer at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com
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