Psyched after their win/Gold Kings acquire mental advantage over

The Colorado Gold Kings scored three times in the second period and goaltender Kirk Daubenspeck turned away 27 Tacoma shots in a 5-2 win Sunday afternoon at World Arena.

Colorado rebounded from a disappointing loss on Friday night and ended its seven-game home stand 5-2, staying within striking distance of division-leading Idaho.

R.J. Enga opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 7 minutes, 9 seconds of the first period - his 32nd goal of the season. It was the second straight game that the Gold Kings' leading scorer converted with a man-advantage.

Tacoma tied the game when Etienne Drapeau scored his second goal in two games, at 15:50. Drapeau's late goal beat Colorado on Friday.

The Gold Kings responded with a solid second period. Goals from Dwayne Blais, Tom Perry and Aaron Boh gave the team a commanding 4-2 lead going into the final period. Colorado is undefeated this season (18-0-2) when leading after two periods.

Sabercats coach Robert Dirk decided to change goalies for the Sunday matinee, and the Gold Kings were able to take advantage.

"You want to come out quickly and get their goalie thinking about us getting a couple past him," Enga said. "Their guy (Mike Brusseau) played well against us in Tacoma (a 6-1 victory January 15), and (David) Goverde played well Friday night. You don't want to change your game plan (based on a goaltender change), but we know we have to play our best every time we play them no matter who's in goal."

Enga praised the team's defense Sunday and also Boh's performance, which included a goal and an assist on Blais' second-period goal.

"Aaron's a professional and knows that we need him as we start our playoff run," Enga said.

With Tacoma closing in on Colorado in the Northern Division standings, Sunday's game was important not only in the standings, but also mentally. The Gold Kings, who have struggled against the Sabercats (3-3-2) this season, have five more contests against them, including a game in Tacoma next Saturday evening.

Dirk expressed concern that his team may have lost an edge against the Gold Kings.

"We had the psychological edge," he said, "and we needed to put a stake in their hearts and we didn't do it."

Colin Chaulk closed out the scoring with an empty-net goal with 1:25 left to play in the game.

The Gold Kings travel to Anchorage for a pair of games with the Aces next week and then to Tacoma for a rematch on Saturday.

- Scott D. Jones may be reached at 636-0250 or gtsports@gazette.com.

- CHIP LITHERLAND/The Gazette - Colorado's Chad Cabana battles with Tacoma's Clayton Read Sunday during the Gold Kings' victory at World Arena. Colorado rebounded from a loss Friday night and ended its seven-game home stand 5-2, staying within striking distance of division-leading Idaho.

Copyright 2002
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.