Photo Credit, John Babitz

Eagles Win 4th Straight After Weekend Sweep Against Stockton

LOVELAND, Colo. – The Colorado Eagles defeated the Stockton Thunder, 4-1, behind the strength of Kyle Jones’ 41-save effort in his 21st win of the season — and the 50th of his career with Colorado.  Ben Chiarot picked up the game-winner — the first of his career — with a shorthanded penalty shot in the third period.

The teams exchanged unsuccessful power plays early in a wide open first period that saw great goaltending at both ends of the ice.  Colorado got the frame’s only goal at 12:37 on a beautiful play that started when Jake Marto sent a pass from the left mid-boards to Kevin Ulanski in the right circle.  Ulanski then sent a pass into the slot where Riley Nelson re-directed the puck past Olivier Roy.

The Thunder controlled much of the second period, out-shooting the Eagles 17-10.  But Jones was superb between Colorado’s pipes, stopping each Stockton shot to keep the home team in the lead, 1-0, heading into the second intermission.

The Eagles doubled their lead at 3:41 of the third period when Chiarot was awarded a penalty shot while Stockton was working a power play.  The rookie defenseman beat Roy low, and in the process entered the team’s record books as the first defenseman & the first rookie to score on a penalty shot.

Midway through the final frame, Stockton finally got on the scoreboard when Max Campbell sent a backhander from the right circle past Jones for his second goal in as many nights.  But at 17:30, Joey Sides gave the Eagles an insurance marker with his third goal in the past two games after working a give-and-go with Ulanski.  Liam Huculak accounted for the final margin with an empty-netter in the final minute.

The Eagles will take their winning streak into a busy stretch of their schedule as they play five games in six days starting with a pair at the Budweiser Events Center on Tuesday & Wednesday.