Three Power Play Goals Propel Eagles to Game two win over Wichita

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Shane Starrett

WICHITA, Kan. – Ryan Olsen, Julien Nantel and Colin Bowman each scored a power play goal to account for the three-goal margin of victory in game two of the Kelly Cup Division Semi-Finals series between Colorado and Wichita.

Finding their scoring touch after a few low scoring close games against Wichita in recent history appears to be the key to a winning Colorado Eagles team.

After waiting until well into the third period and having to go to overtime in order to score another goal to win the first game of the series, the five goals tallied in game two were a welcome luxury.

Shifty forward Joey Rattelle got the scoring started early with a blast past Wichita goalie Shane Starrett less than 30-seconds into the first period, only to have Travis Brown best Eagles Goalie Joe Cannatta less than five minutes later to tie the score at 1-1.

Joey Rattelle

In the second frame it was the Thunder’s turn to score quickly to start the period and grab a 2-1 lead with Dyson Stephens ripping a shot from near the blue line to giveWichita it’s first and only lead of the game at 1:47.

Two quick goals later in the second period, one on a power play chance from Olson and the other off the stick of the ECHL’s regular season leading goal scorer Michael Joly, tied the game for the Eagles and gave them a 3-2 lead in a span of two and a half minutes.

Michael Joly

Another power play goal late in the third period, this one off the stick of Nantel, assisted by J.C. Beaudin, brought the Thunder deficit to 4-2.

A holding call against Wichita with less than 90-seconds left in the game forced the Thunder to play with an empty net in hopes of getting back in the game, but unfortunately for the home team, the result was yet another power play score – this one from Defenseman Bowman for the final 5-2 margin of victory.

The Eagles and the Thunder will bring the series back to Colorado on Wednesday, April 18th for game three at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland, Colorado. Game time is 7:05 P.M.

Article and Photos courtesy of Terry.Sanford@prohockeynews.com