Eagles pull into tie for second place in Mountain Division

December 12, 2011

On the heels of a five-game unbeaten streak (3-0-2) and a 6-2-2 run in their last 10 games, the Colorado Eagles have moved into a tie for second place in the Mountain Division with a mark of 12-8-3 for 27 points.

Colorado opened a three-game series at Idaho on Wednesday, rallying for a 4-2 win. After spotting the Steelheads a 2-0 lead midway through the first period, the Eagles responded with goals from Jon Landry and Riley Nelson to pull even before the opening 20 minutes ended. Patrick Cey scored the eventual game winner less than two minutes into the second period, and Jack Combs provided an insurance marker early in the third period. Andrew Penner earned his second win of the season, making 24 saves.

The Eagles earned a point in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Steelheads on Friday. Once again, Idaho skated out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, before the Eagles rallied to tie it on goals from Jason Beatty and Chad Costello. The teams traded goals for the balance of regulation, with Colorado forcing overtime on a Michael Forney tally with just under six minutes remaining in the third period.

Colorado captured the final game of the series on Saturday with a 5-1 win. Kevin Ulanski provided all the offense the Eagles needed scoring three goals and adding an assist while Nelson added a goal and two assists. Kyle Jones made 32 saves to record his 10th win of the season.

Combs and Costello have been the main cogs in Colorado’s offense this season. The two line mates rank first and second in the ECHL in scoring with Combs leading the way with 37 points (17g-20a) and Costello ranking second with 36 points (12g-24a). Combs’ 17 goals are second in the league while Costello leads the league with 24 assists.

Not to be outdone, a pair of Eagles’ defensemen rank first and second among ECHL blue liners in scoring as well. Jon Landry leads all league defensemen with 22 points (8g-14a) while Aaron Schneekloth is second with 21 points (9g-12a). Schneekloth’s 12 goals are tops among defensemen, with Landry tied for second with eight. Schneekloth also paces the way among league defenders with 12 power-play points (5g-7a).

In goal, Kyle Jones has gone 6-0-1 in his last seven decisions, and is tied for third in the league with 10 wins.

Colorado meets Utah in a crucial three-game series this week. The two teams, who are tied for second place in the Mountain Division, meet for games in Utah on Wednesday and Friday before the scene shifts to Colorado for the series finale on Saturday.