Eagles Power Past 'Bugs in Game 1

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Governors' Cup champion Colorado Eagles defeated the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, 4-3, in Game 1 of the Northern Conference Semifinals. In a series that involves the two teams with the top power play (Colorado) and penalty kill (Bossier-Shreveport) units in the regular season, it was the Eagles' two power-play goals that helped make the difference in the series' opening game.

Eagles/Mudbugs Box Score

The No. 1-seeded Eagles got on the scoreboard first when Aaron Schneekloth -- who was presented with his Most Outstanding Defenseman award prior to puck-drop -- weaved his way into the offensive zone and snapped a shot high on the stick side of Jon Horrell at 10:30. Kevin Ulanski made it 2-0 for Colorado just over two minutes later with a similar score on the man advantage. The Eagles winger also weaved his way into the offensive zone and sent a shot on net from the high slot before sweeping home his own rebound.

The Mudbugs -- who had been outplayed for the majority of the period -- cut Colorado's lead in half with just 34 seconds left after Joe Ori circled behind the Eagles' net and sent a pass to Brett Smith in the high slot for a shot that slipped into the right side of the goal.
The second period belonged to Bossier-Shreveport who out-shot Colorado 12-9 on the strength of a 3:1 power play ratio. Andrew Penner continued his strong play against the Mudbugs, making several stellar saves to keep the Eagles up 2-1, but at 18:15, Joe Blaznek tied the game at 2 with a great individual play. Blaznek carried the puck from deep in his own end down the ice and unloaded a rocket shot under the crossbar from just inside the Eagles' zone.

The Eagles regained the game's momentum in the final frame and it was the other half of their special teams that got the next goal. While shorthanded, just under five minutes in, Riley Nelson sprung Ulanski on a breakaway from center ice and the University of Denver alumni slipped a backhand shot between Horrell's left skate and the right post.

Greg Pankewicz made it 4-2 with Colorado's second power-play goal at 14:57 with a laser shot from the left point that beat the 'Bugs netminder through a screen of several bodies in front. The captain's goal would prove to be the game-winner when Simon Mangos put the puck in the net with 18.9 seconds left from the right hash marks as the Mudbugs pulled Horrell for an extra attacker.

The Eagles and Mudbugs will meet in Game 2 of the best-of-seven series on Monday night. The game will also be broadcast on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.