Two Goals in 12-Second Span Do in Eagles

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Texas Brahmas used two goals in 12 seconds to turn the tables on the Colorado Eagles in their 5-3 win in Game 1 of the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals. Tyler Skworchinski scored a pair of power-play goals for the Brahmas who went 3-for-7 on the man advantage, with the second tying the game 12 seconds before Scott Sheppard's game-winner.

Box Score

The Brahmas drew first blood in the CHL's championship series with their first of two power-play goals in the opening period. At 11:09, Mike Vellinga sent a low shot from the point that was deflected twice in front, the second time by Skworchinski on the doorstep for his league-leading tenth goal of the playoffs.

Colorado tied it up with a similar play of their own four minutes later after Riley Nelson threaded a pass from the left circle through the skates of a Texas penalty-killer to Ed McGrane at the point. McGrane's low shot was stopped by Brett Jaeger, but Kevin Ulanski was right there to knock it home.

But with just under a minute left in the period -- and just two seconds left on their third power play of the frame -- the Brahmas retook the lead. Following a faceoff in the left circle, Greg McConnell sent a shot from the left point that was deflected top shelf by Matt Quinn in front of Andrew Penner.

The second period was a period of two halves as the Brahmas used two more power plays to build a 24-14 edge in shots overall. But the Eagles swayed the momentum in spite of the disadvantage with their second shorthanded tally of the playoffs.

Ulanski got things going in the Texas zone by sending a pass from below the goal line to Steve Haddon skating down the slot. Haddon's first shot was stopped, but he was able to get a second swipe at the rebound and put it past the Brahmas' goalie. Colorado controlled the remainder of the second period, out-shooting Texas 10-1 the rest of the way.

Colorado took their first and only lead of the game two minutes into the third as Ulanski continued his strong performance. The All-CHL Team winger took the puck down the left wing, circled behind the net and into the right circle before beating Jaeger to make it 3-2.

But the Brahmas climbed back into the lead with a pair of goals 12 seconds apart, starting with their third power-play goal of the night at 5:44 when Kevin McLeod sent a slap-pass from the right point to Skworchinski crashing the left side of the crease for a tap-in to tie the score.

Then off the ensuing faceoff, Sheppard took the puck down the right wing all alone and placed a shot into the top right corner for what would prove to be the game-winner. Texas added another goal at 16:10 when Jordan Cameron's innocent-looking flip of the puck caromed into the Eagles' net after hitting Jason Beatty's skate.

Game 2 of the President's Cup Finals will take place Friday night at the Budweiser Events Center.