Eagles beat up on Blades 5-1
LOVELAND, Colo. -Darryl Bootland scored twice while Kris Lazaruk made 32 saves to lead the Colorado Eagles to a 5-1 win over the Florida Everblades Saturday night.
The Eagles struck first taking their first lead in three games against the Everblades at 9:45 into the first period. Eagles’ forward Jake Marto forced a turnover behind the goal. A quick pass to the front of the net was quickly buried by Trent Daavettila for a 1-0 Colorado lead.
The Eagles power play unit went to work early in the second period. At the 2:48 mark, Bootland turned home a rebound that came off Marto’s shot that was initially saved by Anthony Peters.
Back on the power play, the Eagles again converted off another rebound as Ludwig Karlsson smashed the puck past Peters to stretch the Eagles a 3-0 lead.
A turnover off the opening faceoff in the third period led Kyle Kraemer to find the back of the net only 12 seconds into the period. Colorado later added a fifth goal by Bootland.
Trying to avoid a shutout, the Blades rshed into the attacking zone. Matt Willows found Ethan Werek, who blazed past the defense and unleashed a shot that beat Lazaruk.
Late in the game, tempers began to flare. With 19 seconds remaining Bootland was on the attack. Escaping from the building pile of combatants, Peters headed down the ice to square off with his counterpart Lazaruk.
Less than 10 seconds after the first scrum ended, more fights broke. In total, both teams combined for 190 penalty minutes on 43 penalties on the night.
Peters suffered the loss after surrendering five goals on 22 shots.
The Blades return to the ice Wednesday night when they travel to Boise, Idaho, to take on the Steelheads at 9:10 p.m.