Early three-spot lifts Colorado past Idaho

(Loveland, CO) ? Three goals early in the first period by the Colorado Eagles proved to be the difference Saturday night, as the Eagles defeated the Idaho Steelheads, 6-3. Idaho collected three of six points in the standings in the three-game holiday set with the Eagles. Aaron Schneekloth scored twice in the game's opening seven minutes, helping stake the Eagles to a three-goal lead they would never relinquish. Colorado would stretch the lead to 5-0 in the second period on goals by Kevin Ulanski and Patrick Cey. Idaho (7-9-3) tried to chip away, starting with a goal late in the second period by Jacob Cepis. His sixth of the season was assisted by Ian Lowe and Derek LeBlanc. After an Eagle power-play goal made it 6-1, Idaho added two late goals. First, it was a strong offensive move from Steve Oleksy, getting the puck in the slot to Michael Neal for a top-shelf snap past Andrew Penner. Then, three minutes later, Neal teamed up with Chad Klassen for Klassen's seventh of the season to finish the scoring. Jerry Kuhn stopped 36 of 40 in relief of Jimmy Spratt to take the loss. Penner stopped 24 of 27 in the win for Colorado. Idaho came up empty on the power play, while Colorado converted 2-6 with the man advantage. The Steelheads remain on the road next weekend, traveling to Las Vegas to take on the Pacific Division-leading Wranglers on Friday and Saturday night. Both games can be heard on KTIK (1350 AM) in the Treasure Valley. The Steelheads return home on December 7 to begin a homestand against Colorado. Tickets are available by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office (208.331.TIXS) or by logging on to www.idahosteelheads.com. COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Michael Neal AQUA FINA "3 STARS" - (1) Luka Vidmar (COL) (2) Kevin Ulanski (COL) (3) Aaron Schneekloth (COL) Steelhead Season-Ticket Holders get six games FREE when they sign up for full-season packages. Fans can still get pro-rated full-season tickets for the remaining 30 home games, starting at less than $275 per seat. Partial-season plans are also available. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.