The Colorado Eagles needed three goals in under three minutes to keep the Idaho Steelheads from evening their opening round Kelly Cup Playoff series at two games. They got them, in 2:28. Then Alex Belzile scored the game-winning goal for Colorado in overtime, just 41 seconds in. Four goal in just over three minutes, and now the Eagles have a chance to clinch the series win on Saturday night.
Colorado’s offense was nearly non-existent through the first 30 minutes of the game, as Idaho jumped out to a 4-0 lead midway through the second period. Colorado went on a two-man advantage though, and started to slowly climb back into things on a Matt Register goal. Matt Garbowsky halved the deficit, but Idaho struck again less than a minute later to send the Steelheads to the locker rom with a 5-2 advantage entering the third.
The sides skated without scoring before the wild volley in the game’s closing three minutes of regulation. Forward Julien Nantel got things going with a deflection. Eagles coach Aaron Schneekloth pulled his goalie with more than 2:00 to play, but it paid dividends when Belzile’s first marker of the game pulled Colorado within one. Register added to the dramatics when he scored the game-tying goal on a slapshot from the blue line with under 10 seconds remaining.
The win puts Colorado up 3-1 in the series, with a chance to clinch on Saturday night in Boise.
Featured Image Credit: Colorado Eagles