Eagles December 2010 Report

After 27 games of the IHL '10'11 season the Eagles are 3 points above .500 with a 15-12-0 record. While not a stellar performance, there's a lot of parity in the IHL and the 30 points currently has the Eagles tied with the San Fran Shamrocks & Gotland Gladiators for 1st in the Shore Division. The Shamrocks have 3 games in hand on the Eagles, though, while the Gladiators have 2.
To date the team is led in scoring by Patrick Marleau who has 15g - 19a - 34 pts. He is followed by linemate and center Paul Stastny who has 8g -24a - 32pts. The defense corps sees Matthew Carle among the blueliner leaders in scoring with 3g - 13a - 16 pts. Certainly a pleasant surprise to date.
Marty Brodeur's current goals against average of 2.99 places him 8th among the league's netminders, while his 15 wins and 2 shutouts have him tied for 1st in the league in those categories.





Over in the Orr Division it's beginning to look like the New York Transit may be taking the top honors this season. They have 38 points, 8 more than four other teams that have 30 in the League. Plus they lead the League in goal scoring by a wide margin with 123 to date and goals against with 64. With the high in goals scored and the low in goals against, that's certainly a recipe for success and difficult for anyone to contend with.
Congrats Transit and GM Chris Wolter on a fine season to date!




Reported by Griz Adams

Eagles Mid-Season Report

WHERE'S THE LEADERSHIP???

(AP) Colorado After the 8-3 drubbing at the hands of the Millionaires in game 41 of the season, it appears leadership is sorely lacking on this club since last season. It certainly seems that the trading of Captain Doan to division rival San Fran ripped the heart out of this club. Staal certainly hasn't stepped up to the plate to lead this club. Nor have recent arrivals Marleau and St. Louis. While Langenbrunner & Scott Niedermayer have done a better job of it, not everyone has responded to their leadership 'styles'. Langenbrunner is more vocal while Nieds tends to let his play do the talking. All management can do is wait 'til next year. Better results should be seen then. Statistically speaking, it should happen. But then...what's the old saying? Oh yeah..."statistics are for losers".
While the Eagles will probably make the playoffs again this season, it's hard to see them going anywhere given the regular season to date. Will there be a transformance over the second half? I suppose it could happen.
What's interesting is that the parent Colorado club had been playing better recently without some key players. Plying their trade 'down' on the farm in Utah have been Stastny & Hannan. Only recently was Hejduk called back up and this was due to an injury to Joel Ward.
Even Staal, Marleau, Brodeur and others had been sent down at one point with a couple three games down on the farm. It seemed on their return that their stint in the 'R' did them wonders because upon being re-inserted in the parent club Colorado lineup, they went on a 7 game win streak. Who sez ya can't send 'em to the farm after they've seen Pa'ree?
Maybe another stint in the Great Salt Lake State is due for some again? Plekanec took over Stastny's role on arrival and has actually been playing better numbers wise. Well, that sez it all since numbers is all we have to go by...eh? Ward did much better in place of Hejduk and will probably be called back up. Ditto for Brodeur after letting in the eight. Sheesh. As for Stastny & Hannan, they might just stay with the 'Griz unti next season. Don't know about any moves for certain, I''ll see. Pardon me my musings.
At any rate, the organization will probably be standing pat for the foreseeable future and staying away from those trade bait fishing inquiries. Like a 'grizz, they just seem to bite us in the end.

Reported by Griz Adams