Colorado falls to Tacoma on late-game goal

The Colorado Gold Kings have dominated all of their WCHL Northern Division opponents this season - with the exception of Tacoma.

Friday night, the Saber Cats continued their winning ways, snapping Colorado's three-game win streak with a 3-2 victory in front of 5,851 fans at World Arena.

The Gold Kings came into the game 15-5-3 against the Northern Division, but just 2-2-2 against Tacoma.

Of the six contests against the Saber Cats this season, three have ended in shootouts. Friday night's game looked to be headed towards another.

But Tacoma's Etienne Drapeau broke a 2-2 tie with a slap shot from the right circle that beat Gold Kings goalie Kirk Daubenspeck with 4:43 left.

The Saber Cats then escaped a fierce Colorado rush in the final minute of play when coach Al Pedersen pulled Daubenspeck with 1:15 left. Colorado (24-15-5) pummeled Tacoma's David Goverde with five point blank chances but could not convert.

"We've had Idaho and San Diego's number this season (11-3-2) and they (Tacoma) seem to have ours," Pedersen said. "It was a playoff atmosphere and the referee gave both teams a chance to win."

There were just four penalties in the game, all in the first period.

E.J. Enga scored his eighth power-play goal and 31st of the season in the first period after Tacoma's Matt Loen had opened the scoring at 5:42.

After the Sabercats regained the lead on Eric Bowen's second period goal, Colorado's Greg Schmidt converted a well-executed give- and-go with Craig Lyons to even the score at 2-2 with 12 minutes left in the period.

The Gold Kings defense held Tacoma without a shot for the first 11 minutes of the third period, but during what Pedersen called a "four- minute lapse," the Saber Cats regained control.

"We were ready for them and got the draws at the end when we needed them," said Colorado defensemen Aaron Boh said. "But it seems that they get up for us every time we play. We played a good game but sometimes the hockey gods are on your side and sometimes they aren't."

Colorado, 11-3-2 in its past 16 games, concludes the series with Tacoma at 12:05 p.m. Sunday at World Arena.

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

TACOMA 3

COLORADO 2

Highlight: Tacoma's Etienne Drapeau breaks a 2-2 tie with 4:43 left in the third period.

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