Motivation has Eagles soaring in CHL playoffs

By Tom Williams

Colorado posted its third straight win over the SteelHounds Tuesday, 4-1.

YOUNGSTOWN — Two weeks ago when the SteelHounds swept a three-game series from the defending champion Colorado, Chevrolet Centre fans behind the Eagles’ bench had fun taunting the visitors with chants of ”overrated.”

Eagles coach Chris Stewart, whose team has won the Central Hockey League playoffs twice in the past three years, said the message was delivered loud and clear.

“This has been a very tough building for us to play in,” said Stewart after the Eagles defeated the SteelHounds 4-1 Tuesday to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-7playoff series. The victory snapped Colorado’s winless streak here at five games (including last year’s playoffs and regular season).

“I’d like to say we learned a lot,” said Stewart of the regular season finish that saw the SteelHounds rally for three wins to vault them into the Northern Conference’s third seed. “One thing that we got was motivation from it.

“I don’t know that we took a whole lot from it from a coaching standpoint or a players’ standpoint, but from a motivation standpoint it certainly opened up our eyes,” Stewart said. “It probably schooled us quite well going into the playoffs.”

The Eagles are soaring after a third straight conquest, this one before an announced attendance of 2,562.

Just as the Eagles got off to strong starts in the three losses two weeks ago, Colorado dominated the early going Tuesday, outshooting the SteelHounds 16-7 midway through the game.

Once again, the SteelHounds became stronger late in the second period. But this time Eagles goaltender Sebastien Laplante was equal to the challenge, stopping 24 shots for his third straight postseason win.

“Laplante certainly played well tonight,” SteelHounds coach Kevin Kaminski said. “We had some good opportunities but he was there to make the big saves.”

The series resembles last year’s playoff matchup where Colorado took a 3-0 lead before winning in six games.

“Our backs are big-time against the wall now,” Kaminski said. “This was a must-win for us tonight to get us back in the series. It’s going to be a tough road.”

Eagles captain Greg Pankewicz’s two goals included the game-winner midway through the second period that snapped a 1-1 tie. Along the boards skating into the SteelHounds’ zone, Pankewicz slapped the puck past goaltender Andy Franck.

“He has one of the hardest shots in the league,” Stewart said. “I’m sure most goalies will attest to that.

SDLqWe had good defense but it seemed like they had some bad bounces, too,” Stewart said. “The puck was bouncing over their sticks right in front of our net. But I thought Laplante was excellent.”

Despite the huge lead in the series, Pankewicz said it means little.

Seven minutes into the third period, Pankewicz and Ed McGrane set up Riley Nelson’s power-play score for a 3-1 lead.

Desperate for offense, Kaminski lifted Franck with 2:28 to go when Eagles forward Steve Haddon was penalized for tripping. But before the SteelHounds could establish themselves in the Colorado zone, Pankewicz stole the puck along the boards and netted an empty-net goal.

The Eagles’ first goal also came with a man-advantage. Seth Leonard drew Franck to the side then dumped a pass to unguarded Scott Polaski.

The SteelHounds answered with a goal on their next power-play chance. Ryan Bennett held the puck near the boards then passed it to Chris Richards in the faceoff circle. His shot tied the game.

williams@vindy.com