The Texas Brahmas took a 2-1 lead in the Ray Miron President's Cup Championship series after soundly defeating the visiting Colorado Eagles by a score of 6-2 on Sunday. The Eagles, who had formally petitioned the league, arguing against playing at the NYTEX Sports Centre, completely lost their discipline in a third period that would see Konrad Reeder ejected and Andrew Penner furiously leave the ice after giving up five goals.
The Eagles came out playing hard but were stymied by the Texas defensive corps, who would keep most of the action in the Colorado zone. After a slashing call on Brett Hammond gave the Brahmas their first power play of the evening, it was Tyler Skworchinski who netted the first goal of the evening with an unassisted tally from between the circles that whizzed past Andrew Penner at the 11:33 mark. The goal was Skworchinski’s league-leading 12th goal of the postseason.
The Brahmas outshot the Eagles 12 to 5 in the first frame.
Ed McGrane tied the game at the 8:06 mark of the second period, 45 seconds into an Eagles power play with the set up by Greg Pankewicz and Aaron Schneekloth. Less than two minutes later, the Brahmas would regain the lead after Matt Quinn was able to catch a rebound from a wraparound attempt by Pete Rouleau and swatted the puck inside the left post at the 10:05 mark. Greg McConnell was also credited with the assist.
The Brahmas were unable to capitalize on a 5-on-3 after a pair of calls on the Eagles and with just 12 seconds left on the man-advantage, Colorado's McGrane netted his second goal of the night, short-handed and unassisted at the 16:59 mark to make it a 2-2 game.
It didn't take Texas long to re-take the lead again; 64 seconds to be exact. After a shot by Brandon Benedict from the top of the right circle was stopped by Penner, Travis Banga was able to net the rebound to give the Brahmas the 3-2 lead going into the second intermission.
The Brahmas led the shot count 15-10 in the middle frame.
The Eagles completely lost their discipline in the final period, resulting in three additional goals by the home team, two of them on the power play. Grant Jacobsen scored first, making it a 4-2 game at the 5:28 mark. Tyler Skworchinski and Jordan Cameron set up the play with a little help from Colorado's Aaron Grosul, who inadvertently kicked the puck toward the front of the goal where Jacobsen was waiting to send it in.
At the 8:44 mark, Konrad Reeder was called for a butt-ending major during a face off with Pete Rouleau. He was also given a game misconduct and sent to the the showers early. Eagles head coach Kevin McClelland, frustrated by the call, was given an abuse of officials bench minor as well. As a result of the ensuing 5-on-3, Tyler Skworchinski notched his second power play goal of the game on a cross-crease pass from Banga to make it 5-2. Mike Vellinga was also credited with the assist.
McClelland sent Morgan Cey in to replace Penner, who left the ice frustrated and headed for the locker room. Cey had not played since March 21st at Rapid City and his post-season debut would soon be ruined by the Brahmas' second power-play goal in a row at the 12:50 mark when Pete Rouleau tapped in a rebound off a shot by Matt Quinn from the left point. Mike Vellinga was in on his second consecutive assist.
Fortunately for Colorado, there would be no more scoring in the remaining seven minutes and ten seconds and the game ended with a final score of 6-2. The Eagles narrowly led the shot count in the final frame at 9-8 but the Brahmas had a 35-24 shot advantage in the game.
Brett Jaeger made 22 saves on 24 shots, improving to 10-4 in the playoffs. Andrew Penner stopped 28 of 33 shots, falling to 9-4.
The Eagles finished with 37 penalty minutes on 13 infractions. The Brahmas were assessed 20 minutes on six infractions. They went 3 for 11 on the power play. Colorado went 1 for 4.
The 3rd star went to Tyler Skworchinski who had two goals and an assist on the night. The 2nd star was awarded to Colorado's Ed McGrane who had two goals and the 1st star went to Travis Banga who scored the game-winning goal and also had an assist.
You can view the box score here
You can view my photos from the game here (not edited yet)
Game Four of the CHL Finals between the Brahmas and the Eagles is slated for Tuesday at the NYTEX Sports Centre with the opening faceoff at 7:05pm CST.
Photo Credit: Robert Keith
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