Colorado Takes Control of Series with Game Four Win

Three Stars:
1. Seth Leonard (COL)
2. Sebastien Laplante (COL)
3. Ryan Tobler (COL)

North Richland Hills, TX – The Colorado Eagles are one win away from a return trip to the Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals and a chance to defend their CHL championship thanks to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Texas Brahmas at the NYTEX Sports Centre on Friday night.  Game five is scheduled for Saturday night in Texas with the puck dropping at 7:05 PM (CST).

Colorado/Texas Game Four Box Score

After a scoreless first period that saw each team muster 12 shots on goal and both goaltenders, Brett Jaeger for Texas and Sebastien Laplante for Colorado, play exceptionally well the Eagles dented the scoreboard.  Seth Leonard scored his third goal of the post-season at the 5:03 mark of the second period assisted by Greg Pankewicz and Ed McGrane.

The Eagles would lead until the early stages of the third period when Scott Sheppard scored his team-leading eighth goal of the playoffs with Texas on the power play.  Colorado would answer rather quickly with Ryan Tobler scoring his second playoff goal (he would lead the Eagles with seven shots on goal) at the 3:05 mark of the third period.  Texas would get back to even just 36 seconds later with Chris Thompson scoring his third goal of the playoffs.

Colorado would take the lead for good at the 6:17 mark with Leonard scoring his second goal of the game giving the Eagles the game four victory.

Texas outshot the Eagles 43-36 in the game including 19-9 in the second period.  Laplante improves to 7-2-3 after making 41 saves.  Jaeger made 33 saves and falls to 3-2-1 in the post-season.

texas scored the only power play of the game and went 1 for 8.  The Eagles missed on four chances.