Colorado rebounds to stick SteelHounds with 6-4 defeat

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT

LOVELAND, Colo. — Seth Leonard’s goal with 7:24 remaining in regulation broke a 4-4 tie to help the Colorado Eagles to defeat the Youngstown SteelHounds, 6-4, in Friday’s playoff opener.

Leonard’s goal continued the Eagles’ rally from a 4-2 deficit late in the second period. Les Borshelm’s goal with 3:59 to go gave the Eagles an insurance goal.

The Eagles lead the best-of-seven series 1-0, with Game 2 set for 9 tonight at the Budweiser Events Center. Games 3 and 4 will be on Tuesday and Thursday at the Chevrolet Centre.

A three-goal second period had the SteelHounds flying with a 4-2 lead. First, Brad Patterson’s unassisted goal midway through the second period tied the game, 2-2.

Eric Przepiorka, off a feed from Chris Richards, put Youngstown ahead, 3-2, with a power-play goal. Richards also assisted on Bryan Lachapelle’s goal that came two minutes later.

However, the Eagles responded with goals by Ryan Tobler and Ed McGrane within 39 seconds for a 4-4 tie.

The Eagles struck first early in the game with a power-play goal. McGrane pulled SteelHounds goalie Andy Franck out of position then flipped a pass to Greg Pankewicz for a tap-in goal. Tobler also assisted.

But a little more than a minute later, the SteelHounds tied the game when Steve Birnstill beat Sebastien Laplante with a power-play goal. Lachapelle and Richards received assists.

Late in the opening period, Pankewicz put the eagles ahead 2-1 with a shot from the slot. McGrane set up Pankewicz by sending the puck into the slot.