Official 2013 ECHL All Star Game presented by University Colorado Health Logo. Mandatory credit: Colorado Eagles media department.

Tonight the Colorado Eagles organization hosted the 20th ECHL All-Star Game presented by University Colorado Health on Wednesday in front of 5,289 fans at Budweiser Events Center.

With 16:05 remaining of the first period, Team ECHL’s Mitch Wahl got the first penalty of the game when he was called for holding.  Penalties at any league level for All Star Games are considered to be a rare.  On the man advantage for the Colorado Eagle’s All Stars they came up short as team ECHL denied them from taking a 1 goal lead.

Shortly after the penalty kill by team ECHL, ECHL All-Stars struck first at 6:33 into 1st period as Andrew Hotham of the Wheeling Nailers stuffed the puck five hole past Adam Brown. Hothman’s goal was assisted by Casey Pierro-Zabotel and Willie Coetzee.

Immediately after team ECHL scored the first goal of the game, Colorado Eagles Michael Forney put his team shorthanded with a tripping minor.  Moreover, just like Colorado’s man advantage opportunity, team ECHL failed to convert on the power play as the score remained 1-0.

As the period went on when opportunity presented itself for the Colorado Eagles.  Thru a screen at the right face off circle, Colorado’s A.J. Hau ripped it past Philipp Grubauer to tie the contest up at 1 goal apiece at 11:40 of the first.  The lone assist went to Bowman.

At the 15:20 mark of the first, team ECHL was shorthanded for the second time of the period as Maggio was caught with a slashing minor.

On the man advantage Colorado converted on a nice tic tac toe play as Joey Sides finished it with a sweet backhander over Grubauer to put his team up 2-1 over the ECHL All Stars at 16:44 of the first frame.

After 20 minutes of play the Eagles edged out the ECHL team on the shot clock 16-8.

Wheeling Nailers defenseman #7 Andrew Hothman. Mandatory credit: Wheeling Nailers media department.

Before the start of the middle frame, the ECHL All Stars made a goaltending switch and put in Carolina Stingrays Ryan Zapolski.

On a 3 on 1 situation, team ECHL entered the Eagles zone to knot the game up at 2 at the 3:06 mark of the second as Chris Francis of the Las Vegas Wranglers went upstairs on Brown.

Shortly after the tying goal by the ECHL All Stars, Toledo’s Willie Coetzee went far side on Brown to put team ECHL ahead 3-2 at 4:47.  Coetzee’s tally was assisted by Nathan Moon of the Evansville Iceman.

With 8:20 remaining of the second period the Eagles made a goaltending change as they swapped out Brown and inserted Kyle Jones.

On a sweet cross ice pass by Mitch Wahl to Taylor Ellington of the Cincinnati Cyclones cashed in and put team ECHL ahead 4-2 with assists from Mitch Wahl and C.J. Severyn at the 15:44 mark of the second stanza.

Andrew Hotham put some distant between them and the Colorado Eagles to give the ECHL All-Stars a 5-2 lead.  This marked Hothman’s second goal of the contest an was assisted by both Maylan and Francis at 18:35 of the second.

In the dying seconds of the middle frame the ECHL’s converted again as C.J. Severyn of the Orlando Solar Bears went five hole on Jones to put the ECHL All Stars up 6-2.

After 40 minutes of play, the Colorado Eagles continued their strangle hold on the ECHL All Stars on the shot clock with a 33-17 advantage.

Notables: The 5 goals by the ECHL All-Stars in 2nd period tied the ASG record for most goals by one team in a period.  It has been done 6 times in the past.

Carolina Stingrays goaltender #31 Ryan Zapolski. Mandatory credit: Carolina Stingrays media department.

In the final period the ECHL All Stars made their last goaltending and put between the pipes from the Gwinnett Gladiators Mike Lee.

44 seconds into the third period, Michael Forney of Colorado batted the puck from mid air to put the rubber past Lee and made it a 6-3 ECHL All-Stars lead.  Forney’s goal was assisted by both Trent Daavettila and Jason Beatty.

Dustin Gazley of the Elmira Jackals put the puck into a wide open net in games dying seconds of the final period to give the ECHL All-Stars 7-3 win in 2013.  Gazley’s tally was assisted by C. Pierro-Zabotel.

MVP Trophy:

2013 ECHL ALL STAR GAME Most Valuable Player Award went to team ECHL’s net minder 31 Ryan Zapolski with 0 goals allowed on 17 shots.

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Official 2013 ECHL All Star Game Logo. Mandatory credit: Colorado Eagles media department.

Today is Loveland, CO the Colorado Eagles host the 2013 ECHL All Star Game.  The Colorado Eagles have been members of the East Coast Hockey League for the past 2 seasons in the Mountain Division.  Prior to their transfer into the ECHL, the Eagles were members of the Central Hockey League.  While in the CHL, they’ve won the Roy Miron President’s Cup twice (2005, 2007).

The Eagles are affiliated with the St. John Ice Caps of the American Hockey League and the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL.

This is not first time that the Colorado Eagles have hosted and All Star Game.  In fact the last time that the Eagles have played hosts for these festivities was back during their days with the CHL.  The Eagles squared off against the best of the CHL on January 14, 2009 in which they defeated the CHL All Stars 8-4.

Tonight’s game will be broadcasted on the Altitude Network with a puck drop time of 7:05p MST at the Budweiser Events Center.  The Altitude Network is the broadcasting partner of the Colorado Avalanche.

It will be rebroadcast on Time Warner Cable Sportsnet in Ohio (Jan. 23 at 11 p.m. ET), New England Sports Network (Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. ET) and NHL Network U.S. (Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. ET). Altitude will rebroadcast the game on Thursday, Jan. 24 at 4 a.m. ET and at 3 p.m. ET and on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

2013 ECHL All Stars Roster:

Forwards:

8. C.J. STRETCH (starter)

• Team: Ontario Reign

• Measurables: 5-foot-11, 195 pounds

• Key stats: 41 GP, 21 G, 45 Pts

• Info: Played five seasons in the major juniors with the Kamploomps Blazers of the WHL…Is in his second full season with the Reign…Played 23 games during the 2011-12 season with the Houston Aeros of the AHL, recording six assists.

12. CHRIS FRANCIS

• Team: Las Vegas Wranglers

• Measurables: 5-foot-9, 189 pounds

• Key stats: 35 GP, 15 G, 26 Pts

• Info: Was born in Las Vegas…Played his major junior hockey with the Portland Winter Hawks…Playing in his third season with the Wranglers.

14. MITCH WAHL

• Team: Utah Grizzlies

• Measurables: 6-foot, 205 pounds

• Key stats: 31 GP, 29 A, 40 Pts

• Info: Wahl was selected 48th overall in the 2008 NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames…Has played parts of five seasons in the AHL…He recorded 40 points in 38 games with the Grizzlies last season and has 40 in 31 games this season.

15. WILLIE COETZEE

• Team: Toledo Walleye

• Measurables: 5-foot-10, 188 pounds

• Key stats: 39 GP, 16 G, 35 Pts

• Info: Was born in Johannesburg, South Africa…Moved to Canada to play major junior hockey with the Red Deer Rebels and Cowichan Valley Capitals…Has played 88 career AHL games, recording 11 goals, all in 2011-12 with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

16. C.J. SEVERYN

• Team: Orlando Solar Bears

• Measurables: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds

• Key stats: 38 GP, 11 G, 20 Pts

• Info: Was drafted in the seventh round of the 2007 NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames…Played four seasons at Ohio State University…This season is the first time, including college, that Severyn has scored double-digit goals.

17. AUSTIN FYTEN

• Team: Idaho Steelheads

• Measurables: 6-foot-2, 200 pounds

• Key Stats: 39 GP, 34 Pts, +18

• Info: Rookie played four seasons in the major juniors with the Lethbridge Hurricanes…From Sundre, Alberta…21-years-old.

18. CASEY PIERRO-ZABOTEL (starter)

• Team: Gwinnett Gladiators

• Measurables: 6-foot-2, 202 pounds

• Key stats: 43 GP, 32 A, 43 Pts

• Info: Was drafted 80th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2007 NHL Draft…Never played for the Penguins and is no longer in the organization after his entry-level contract expired after last season…Set a franchise record with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL in the 2008-09 season with 79 assists and 115 points.

21. DUSTIN GAZLEY (starter)

• Team: Elmira Jackals

• Measurables: 5-foot-8, 170 pounds

• Key stats: 35 GP, 33 A, 44 Pts

• Info: Played four seasons at Michigan State University…Was an academic All-Big Ten selection his senior season…Has played two games with Greenville, the rest of his pro career has been played with the Jackals.

23. FRANCIS VERREAULT

• Team: Bakersfield Condors

• Measurables: 5-foot-10, 188 pounds

• Key Stats: 40 GP, 11 G, 31 Pts

• Info: Played 32 games this season with the Greenville Road Warriors before going to Bakersfield…Scored seven goals for Greenville, already has four in eight games with Bakersfield.

34. NATHAN MOON

• Team: Evansville Icemen

• Measurables: 5-foot-11, 197 pounds

• Key stats: 33 GP, 12 G, 27 Pts

• Info: Was selected in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins…Played 72 games in the AHL in 2011-12, recording 32 points.

45. DEAN OUELLET

• Team: San Francisco Bulls

• Measurables: 6-foot, 180 pounds

• Key stats: 39 GP, 18 G, 33 Pts

• Info: Is a rookie with San Francisco after playing four seasons at the University of Moncton, located in New Brunswick, Canada…Also played four major junior seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

47. JUSTIN MAYLAN

• Team: Stockton Thunder

• Measurables: 6-foot-1, 170 pounds

• Key stats: 40 GP, 15 G, 34 Pts

• Info: Played with the Prince George Cougars, Prince Albert Raiders and Moose Jaw Warriors, all of the WHL, during his major junior career…Recorded 89 points during the 2011-12 season with the Raiders.

Defensemans:

6. TAYLOR ELLINGTON

• Team: Cincinnati Cyclones

• Measurables: 6-foot-2, 207 pounds

• Key stats: 36 GP, 4 G, 22 Pts

• Info: Was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the 2007 NHL Draft…Canucks traded his rights to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2012…Played 26 games this season with the Florida Everblades.

7. ANDREW HOTHAM

• Team: Wheeling Nailers

• Measurables: 6-foot-2, 185 pounds

• Key stats: 17 GP, 14 A, 18 Pts

• Info: Has split time this season between three teams, the Cincinnati Cyclones and Nailers of the ECHL as well as a handful of games in the AHL with the Oklahoma City Barons.

9. DANIEL MAGGIO

• Team: Fort Wayne Komets

• Measurables: 6-foot-3, 202 pounds

• Key stats: 39 GP, 16 Pts, 134 PIMs

• Info: Is in his first full season as a professional after playing five seasons in the OHL in the major juniors…Was selected in the sixth round of the 2009 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers.

19. CHRIS HUXLEY (starter)

• Team: Ontario Reign

• Measurables: 5-foot-11, 202 pounds

• Key stats: 40 GP, 20 A, 24 Pts

• Info: Attended and played collegiate hockey at Harvard University…In his second year as a pro, both with the Reign…Recorded 35 points last season and already has 24 this season.

22. MIKE MARCOU (starter)

• Team: Greenville Road Warriors

• Measurables: 5-foot-11, 180 pounds

• Key stats: 41 GP, 17 Pts, +16

• Info: In his first season as a professional after playing four seasons at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where he played with his older brother…Has played two games this season with the Oklahoma City Barons of the AHL.

49. WILLIAM WRENN

• Team: Alaska Aces

• Measurables: 6-foot-1, 210 pounds

• Key stats: 40 GP, 5 G, 18 Pts

• Info: The Anchorage native played parts of two seasons and the University of Denver before withdrawing during his sophomore season to go play with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. Selected by the San Jose Sharks in the second round of the 2009 NHL Draft.

The Goaltenders:

29. MIKE LEE

• Team: Gwinnett Gladiators

• Measurables: 6-foot-1, 190 pounds

• Key stats: 12-11-1, .918 save percentage, 2.13 goals against average

• Info: The 22-year-old was taken in the third round of the 2009 NHL Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes…Won a gold medal as part of team USA at the 2010 World Junior Championships…Played three seasons at St. Cloud State.

30. PHILIPP GRUBAUER (starter)

• Team: Reading Royals

• Measurables: 6-foot-1, 189 pounds

• Key stats: 19-5-1, .912 save percentage, 2.30 goals against average

• Info: Was born in Rosenheim, Germany…Taken in the fourth round of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals…The 21-year-old appeared briefly with the Hershey Bears of the AHL this season, but has spent most of his time with Reading…Played three seasons in the major juniors after moving from Germany.

31. RYAN ZAPOLSKI

• Team: South Carolina Stingrays

• Measurables: 6-foot, 185 pounds

• Key stats: 13-8, .929 save percentage, 1.91 goals against average

• Info: Began this season with the Gwinnett Gladiators…Has played for five different ECHL teams in only three seasons…Played collegiate at Mercyhurst College…Had five assists in one season while playing major junior hockey.

Coaching Staff:

ROB MURRAY

• Team: Alaska Aces

• Info: Murray was awarded the head coach position for the All-Star game by virtue of the Aces having the league’s best winning percentage as of Dec. 30. He is in his second season as the leader of Alaska. Last year he was co-recipient of the John Brophy Award as ECHL Coach of the Year. Murray had a 16-year playing career that included 107 games in the NHL.

LARRY COURVILLE

• Team: Reading Royals

• Info: Courville was named the assistant coach for the game because of Reading has the top winning percentage in the Eastern Conference as of Dec. 30. He is in his fourth season as the Royals boss. Before being named to that position he was the general manager, facility director and hockey operations supervisor for an ice rink in Pennsylvania.

• Equipment trainer: Mike Burkhead (Alaska)

• Athletic trainer: Brad Fredrick (Toledo)

****Official Roster courtesy of Kevin Lytle.****

Link to roster: http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20130121/SPORTS03/301210040/2013-ECHL-All-Star-roster

2013 Colorado Eagles All Star Roster:

Link to 2012-2013 Colorado Eagles Roster: http://www.coloradoeagles.com/rosternew.php

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#23 Scott Gomez skates with the San Jose Sharks at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgray, AB, Canada January 20, 2013. Mandatory credit: Kevin Kurz/San Jose Sharks.

Today Unrestricted Free Agent Scott Gomez continues to be evaluated by the San Jose Sharks.  Yesterday, forward Scott Gomez participated of the morning skate practice in Calgray with the teams healthy scratches.  In addition, Gomez took part in his first full practice session with the Sharks in Edmonton as San Jose will be wrapping up their quick two game road trip in Canada.  A decision has yet to be made on his status with the organization, but the final verdict could come as early tomorrow before San Jose takes on the Oilers.

The main objective for Scott Gomez and the Sharks is to make sure that he is at game shape before Doug Wilson takes a chance on him.  Gomez was recently bought out by the Canadiens before he could finish the two final years he had left on that contract.  The big question for the organization is where to fit Scott into the lineup.

As of today the Sharks are at full strength with 23 players on their roster.  The centerman is however known for his playmaking skills and could find a home on the teams third line with both Galiardi and Wingels as potential linemates.  For the past few seasons, San Jose has had major issues with secondary scoring and the addition by Gomez could very well help solve that outstanding issue.  If he does happen to center the third line, Michal Handzus would get bumped down to the fourth line and alternate with Adam Burish who is the current centerman there.

Sharks Head Coach Todd McLellan took notice of Gomez today at practice.

****“For me, the fitness test is, can he keep up in practice right now? If you can’t, you’re not fit,” McLellan said. “From what I’ve seen – today was the first day he skated with us – he looked quick. The effort level in practice was strong.”****

****Link to quote: http://www.csncalifornia.com/blog/kevin-kurz/sharks-notes-gomez-skates-again-stuarts-second-debut****

Current Associate Coach Larry Robinson and Scott Gomez share a connection from their days with the New Jersey Devils organization.  Gomez and Robinson won two Stanley Cups together in 2000 and 2003.  So a change in scenery could be just what the doctor ordered for Gomez.

During the lockout he suited up for his hometown team the Alaska Aces of the ECHL.  With the Alaska Aces, he played 11 games and recorded six goals and seven assists along with 12 penalty minutes to his credit.

For more on the San Jose Sharks , visit our site – Blades of Teal

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