Home | Schedule | Roster | Recaps | Stats | Coach's Corner | Photos | Articles | Predictions | Multimedia | Ice Cube | About Us | Message Board

Ann Arbor, Michigan- It just seemed appropriate that the Eagles opponent this afternoon was the Iowa State Cyclones, because truly this game was just consistently amazing going back and forth. However, as you will soon see, this game was much more of a cycle than one could believe.

The Eastern Michigan Eagles today completed the sweep against the Iowa State Cyclones on Kelly Koester's fourth goal of the day with 31.3 seconds left in the game, by the score of 6-5 today at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

The first period, out of the three was the Eagles best of the three as they were able to control the puck in the Iowa State zone for long periods of time. However, it was Iowa State getting on the board first with a goal from David Moline that was shot from a long distance away from the net, which gave the Cyclones their first goal of the game and a 1-0 lead. The Eagles proceeded to keep the puck into the Iowa State zone for long periods of times, but due to the amazing goaltending of Matt Johnson in net, the Eagles several opportunities were of no avail. The Eagles first goal of the game came on the power play on a rather strange play, in which the puck was bounced off of the back of an ISU defender and deflected back into the net by Kelly Koester. Assists were credited to Carl Voelker and Dave Stewart. The Eagles did a wonderful job controlling the puck in this period and really had the Cyclones on their heels for a large amount of the period, except for on the scoreboard only to show a 1-1 game. The only thing that Iowa State did not do a great job in this first period was handling the puck in their own zone. They repeatedly gave the Eagles several opportunities by not controlling the puck well and gave EMU point blank opportunities that thanks to Johnson in net, could of given EMU a huge advantage.

The second period of the game began extremely well for the Eagles as just a mere 14 seconds into the second, the Eagles took their first lead of the game at 2-1 on an unassisted goal from Dave Aliff. However, this was another goal of a quirky bounce that allowed for Aliff to get the goal. This seemed to spark the Cyclones. A mere three minutes later, Iowa State responded on blown coverage from the Eagles as they executed a 3 on 1 about as perfectly as you can, to tie the game up at 2. Credit this goal to Jayson Peterson and to two great passes from Griffin Gale and Brad Taylor. However, the Eagles just a mere 1:08 later responded back taking the lead again at 3, on Kelly Koester's second goal of the game, with an assist credited to Justin Shaw. The third goal for the Eagles was just pure effort and hustle in which the Eagles refused to give up on the play and continued to pressure on the net. However, Iowa State being as resilient as they were in this entire game took advantage of a power play late in the second, and with 4:59 left tied the game up in the second period at three, on a power play goal from Griffin Gale. As can be told from the mere shot total of this period, a large portion of this period was played in the EMU zone and Iowa State had continued to get stronger, skated harder, checking harder and was just playing a lot harder and was executing their passes a lot better than the Eagles. Again though, despite the fact that the Eagles were on their heels in this period, the score remained tied setting up a very interesting final period of hockey.

The third period began very similarly to the first period with Iowa State striking first to make the score 4-3 on a Power Play Goal from Tim O'Shea. Iowa State continued to press the initiative in the period as well and was playing extremely well defensively really limiting the opportunities for the Eagles on net. However, on a wonderful slap shot from Dan Olgren three minutes later that was lifted over the right shoulder of Johnson, the Eagles were tied up again on Olgren's goal with assists to Voelker and Shaw. Iowa State however responded a mere one minute later with a wonderfully executed two on one breakaway. Iowa State with the lead at 5-4 however committed two key penalties later in the period, and the Eagles were able to take advantage of the first power play on Voelker's hat trick clinching goal with 7:01 left in the game. Assists on this fifth goal went to Dan Olrgen and Jeff Jepson. In a key situation that late for the Eagles, to come through and take advantage of an opportunity such as this when they had let a large number of other ones slip through(including a power play opportunity right at the start of the third period), was a great sign for the Eagles. However, after Iowa State killed off the second of their penalties, Eastern with three minutes returned the favor to the Cyclones and gave ISU a two minute powerplay. The Eagles were able to weather the storm, and played their best shorthanded shift of the season and gave themselves an opportunity late in the game, and as was opportune in this game, Kelly Koester came through again with the game winner with only 31 seconds left in the game, to send the EMU crowd into a frenzy. Remember when I mentioned 
the Iowa State weakness? Iowa State turns the puck over in their own zone and gives the Eagles a clear opportunity on net, and the Eagles took advantage for the win. However, appropriately enough Iowa State made one final charge in the final thirty seconds, but the Eagles ended up with the huge victory at home, 6-5.

This game was about as back and forth as you will get in a hockey game, with both sides taking the others best shot and coming back with a goal of their own shortly afterwards. I give a ton of credit to Iowa State and their coach Dr. Alan Murdoch. Tonight Iowa State really took it to the Eagles for large periods of time, really skating hard and executing very well for large portions of the game. Iowa State is a tough, physical team that really takes their hits and delivers a large number back. I was also impressed with their cross-ice passing as well. Honestly, this was a typical performance from the Cyclones that I am used to seeing and I truly feel that had the game had another minute left in after Koester's fourth, Iowa probably would of scored. In a lot of ways they really outplayed the Eagles and put a ton of pressure on the Eagles, and for that they deserve a ton of credit for playing a solid game of hockey that was extremely entertaining for all who watched.

A true sign of a good team is how they play under pressure and when they aren't necessarily playing their best hockey. The Eagles tonight passed with flying colors on both and really showed an amazing amount of heart. The Eagles refused to die in the third period, refused to quit, continued to fight and it worked out for them in the end. The Eagles however tonight, were really on their heels for large portions of this game and were not extremely sharp with their passing at all in transition. Once the Eagles got into the offensive zone their passing improved and they played a good solid hockey game.

We must also give credit to both goalies in this game as they both played their hearts out and made some unbelievable saves. Jake Pruss and Matt Johnson both made sure that this game was not going to get away from the other side by more than one goal. Some of the saves in this game were impressive considering the immense pressure put upon both goalies, and a large number of the goals in the game were caused by mistakes from both sides.

Truly, this was a very exciting hockey game but it was not really one of the most well played hockey games I have seen either. Lots of breakdowns, lots of minor errors from both sides made the game exciting and for that, the fan is thankful. However, those breakdowns(the two breakaways in particular) could cost the Eagles a game or two the rest of this year, and into next. 

Bottom line though, in a game like this, a win is a lot better than a loss and the effort was an absolute A+. This was a huge victory for the Eagles and was one of the better hockey games I've been to in a while. And also, I am 100% positive that Kelly Koester will not forget this game either for a LONG time.

Looking Ahead:

The Eagles conclude their regular season with a home and home series against the University of Michigan Dearborn Wolves. The game Friday Night is in Dearborn, and the game Saturday Night is the Eagles HOME Finale. Come on out and cheer on the Eagles as they go to complete a 50 point CSCHL Regular Season.

Until Next Time, 

GO GREEN!

-Kevin  

A-
The shot total of 44 is a solid amount in a game such as this. Scoring six goals against the Cyclones who played a very physical defense in front of the net is impressive as well. Truly tonight, the offense came through when they had to.

B-
Defensively, there were a large number of great plays that helped save the Eagles throughout the game. However, a large number of shots got through and were not cleared as well as I have seen in the past. Also, having two breakaways(2 on 1) and (3 on 1) leading directly to two goals puts the Eagles in a much tougher position. Also in one incident late in the third, Iowa State had three guys in the EMU zone with only one EMU player present. It didn't cost the Eagles tonight, but these small things could definitely cost them in the future.

B
To be honest, nothing spectacular really. However, again both the penalty kill and power play showed up when it had to, which is all you can really ask of your special team units. Solid effort.

A-
I must sound like a broken record. Pruss was excellent again tonight. I would say four out of the five goals, 99.999% of goalies would not stop. Pruss made huge saves throughout the game to keep the Eagles in it despite ISU putting a ton of pressure on the Eagles.

A-
The Eagles were pressured the entire second and third period, and in most ways were dominated by the Cyclones. However, bottom line this game showed me a ton about the Eagles. They showed the heart, the will and the desire to be a very challenging team to play against, and have really come very far this season. It was an incredible game anyway.

Page Design by Kevin McCrumb using Microsoft Frontpage