Savvy Rafkin Archives - The Rink https://www.the-rink.com/category/authors/col-authors/savvyrafkin/ Chicago Blackhawks and NHL Salary Cap Information Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:57:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://i0.wp.com/www.the-rink.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cropped-FavIcon_v3.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Savvy Rafkin Archives - The Rink https://www.the-rink.com/category/authors/col-authors/savvyrafkin/ 32 32 136660061 So long does not mean goodbye https://www.the-rink.com/so-long-does-not-mean-goodbye/ https://www.the-rink.com/so-long-does-not-mean-goodbye/#respond Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:46:21 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=31921 With the departure of our Colorado Division editor, we have some bad news. We will be temporarily halting any production on any Colorado Avalanche or Colorado Eagles articles for the... Read more »

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]]> With the departure of our Colorado Division editor, we have some bad news. We will be temporarily halting any production on any Colorado Avalanche or Colorado Eagles articles for the time being. The Chicago side of The Rink will remain fully active, but we felt it best that the Colorado side go dormant for a while. However, so long does not mean goodbye to the Colorado fans. We plan to bring back the Colorado side of the site back when we can staff it with some writers and editors up to your standards. Here is where you will find our Colorado staff after today.

Brennan Vogt

Brennan is continuing to grow his career in writing and will join the folks over at MileHighHockey.com. He plans to do a lot of the same work that he did for us here, but will be in the press box a lot more. You can always find all of his links here and follow him on Twitter here. If you want to look back on any of his articles, you can find them all online, and you can find Brennan’s profile here.

Savvy Rafkin

Savvy will take this opportunity to take some time away from writing. She will still follow the Avalanche and Eagles, though, with just as much passion. If you would like to keep up to date on what she is doing, you can check her links here. You can also continue to follow her on Twitter here. The same thing applies to Savvy. We will keep all of her articles online for you to read if you would like to here.

Chloe Wright

Chloe is eager to get back at it and has accepted a position as a writer with InsideTheRink.com. She will continue to cover the Avalanche and Eagles there as well as all things hockey. Her links will continue to develop so you can keep up with her here. She will be very active on her Twitter, which you can follow here. Unfortunately, she had little time to write a lot for us, but you can find those articles here.

So long does not mean goodbye

Every one of them deserves our thanks for the effort they put forward for The Rink. We know they put in countless hours of work for us and we cannot thank them all enough for it. We wish them all luck in their future endeavors, and for now, this is The Rink Colorado signing off.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/so-long-does-not-mean-goodbye/feed/ 0 31921 Avalanche fail to meet expectations in 8–4 loss to Golden Knights https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fail-to-meet-expectations-in-8-4-loss-to-golden-knights/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fail-to-meet-expectations-in-8-4-loss-to-golden-knights/#respond Thu, 10 Oct 2024 05:09:46 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=31873 The Colorado Avalanche had a tough run in preseason. After only taking home one win out of a six-game trial run, there were undoubtedly huge expectations for the roster for... Read more »

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]]> The Colorado Avalanche had a tough run in preseason. After only taking home one win out of a six-game trial run, there were undoubtedly huge expectations for the roster for their first regular season contest against the Vegas Golden Knights.

There were lots of variables for the team. Calum Ritchie and Colorado Eagle starter Ivan Ivan both took to the ice in an Avalanche jersey for the first time. Several fresh additions to the roster were adjusting to the Colorado style of play.

On top of this, the Golden Knights are a tough opponent and allow little room for error.

First period

Dynamic duo Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen opened scoring halfway through the first period.

The promising start was a relief after a very bumpy preseason road.

However, the early jump wouldn’t last for long. The hungry Vegas team came to play and exploited every mistake the Colorado squad made.

They answered Rantanen’s goal about 30 seconds after he scored, tying the game at one. For good measure, they then scored back-to-back to leave a two-goal lead to end the first frame.

There were no penalties in the first 20 minutes, which was becoming a startling trend ahead of the season. Concerningly, it means the goals scored by the opposition were a product of defensive breakdowns and a struggling goaltender.

Second period

Colorado caught a break about five minutes into the second frame. MacKinnon drew a penalty for tripping, and he then contributed an assist to Rantanen’s goal to bring the team back within two. Cale Makar picked up an assist.

Again, the break didn’t last, and the Golden Knights lit the lamp once again.

With the help of Samuel Girard and Josh Manson, Casey Mittelstadt netted a goal toward the end of the period, once again sparking hope of a close game.

At the 18-minute mark, Miles Wood took a seat in the box for boarding, leaving his team at the disadvantage. Again, the home team took the gift and converted, increasing the margin and ending the period ahead 5–3.

Third period

Colorado put Justus Annunen in the net to relieve Alexandar Georgiev in the final 20 minutes. Georgiev’s spotty performance has been a source of disagreement through his tenure in the burgundy and blue. He is a strong goalie, but often struggles to come up big when his team needs it.

The Golden Knights had a waived goal and headed to the box for high sticking, putting the Avalanche to the advantage.

One second after the power play ended, Rantanen scored his third goal of the night and recorded a hat trick on opening night, joining Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg in Colorado history.

Again, the positivity did not last long. Devon Toews received a double minor penalty and forced his team to play shorthanded for four minutes.

Two seconds into the power play, Vegas netted their sixth goal of the night with another two minutes to go.

They drove the final nail in the coffin on an empty net, finalizing the 8–4 result.

Takeaways

The loss results from compounding many avoidable mistakes.

Between broken down defense, unnecessary penalties, and struggling netminders, it’s a miracle that the score wasn’t worse.

While it is easy to place the blame on goaltenders, the defensive struggle of this game was a nearly absent presence in front of the net. Even the best netminders need help in preventing goals from the opposition.

Relying on the offense to carry the team is not a sustainable strategy, nor is it a common occurrence for the Avalanche.

The team will suit up for their home opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, Oct. 12.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fail-to-meet-expectations-in-8-4-loss-to-golden-knights/feed/ 0 31873 Avalanche hit their stride, end preseason losing streak in 3–1 victory https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-hit-their-stride-end-preseason-losing-streak-in-3-1-victory/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-hit-their-stride-end-preseason-losing-streak-in-3-1-victory/#respond Fri, 04 Oct 2024 05:16:03 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=31824 For most of the preseason, the Colorado Avalanche could not hit their stride. The team has looked disjointed and out of sync and a four-game losing streak was not a... Read more »

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]]> For most of the preseason, the Colorado Avalanche could not hit their stride. The team has looked disjointed and out of sync and a four-game losing streak was not a good look for them with regular season play only one week away.

Finally, with only two games remaining before regulation play, the Avalanche secured their first victory over the Vegas Golden Knights 3–1, who they previously fell to in a 6–1 defeat.

The good

Colorado rapidly picked up the speed of play, especially after their last match. Passes were connecting, communication improved, and Justus Annunen held down the net beautifully.

Jonathan Drouin led off the scoring in the first period, getting help from Nathan MacKinnon and Calum Ritchie.

It is promising to see not only the expected players producing goals but also help from recent additions to the roster.

Sam Malinski also made his presence known on the ice. He spent considerable time with the team in the 2023–2024 season and has consistently fought for his spot in the lineup.

He scored in the second period to bring Colorado to a two-goal lead. Parker Kelly and Logan O’Connor picked up assists.

In stark contrast to Tuesday’s game, the team significantly cut down on penalties, only accumulating three.

The bad

Even though the play was an improvement from the previous four games, there were still a few rough patches needing work before the stakes were higher.

While penalties had significantly decreased, Vegas’ Jack Eichel capitalized on the power play and brought the score back within one goal.

Within the first seven seconds of the second period, the Avalanche drew a penalty, only to give up the power play by sending their own player to the box for holding four seconds later. Colorado couldn’t convert on either of their power plays.

The presence of youth on the roster and an unusual lineup may contribute to some of this.

This game was much better in the sense of giveaways, but they only took the puck from the Golden Knights twice.

What’s next?

The team will play the Utah Hockey Club (formerly the Arizona Coyotes) on Saturday, before facing the Golden Knights for their season opener on Oct. 9.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-hit-their-stride-end-preseason-losing-streak-in-3-1-victory/feed/ 0 31824 Avalanche remain winless after 6–1 loss to Golden Knights https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-remain-winless-after-6-1-loss-to-golden-knights/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-remain-winless-after-6-1-loss-to-golden-knights/#respond Wed, 02 Oct 2024 04:48:28 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=31754 With the preseason rapidly coming to a close and the regular season around the corner, the Colorado Avalanche’s winless record seems startling. The showings have been less than ideal, but... Read more »

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]]> With the preseason rapidly coming to a close and the regular season around the corner, the Colorado Avalanche’s winless record seems startling. The showings have been less than ideal, but also show where the players are stacking up not only in their personal development but also against other players in the league.

Sunday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club (formerly the Arizona Coyotes) exploited some hiccups to address in the upcoming season.

With the game against the Vegas Golden Knights being the debut for many of the regular-season starters, there was much to look forward to in the matchup. Emerging with a 6–1 loss after six unanswered goals and a game littered in penalties, there are several things standing out.

The good

Newcomer Jare Innala cashed in on a power play goal early in the first period, immediately securing a lead for Colorado.

Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar both picked up an assist, proving business as usual is right around the corner.

Nikolai Kovalenko also had a good showing, displaying great puck control and driving pressure on both ends. His appearance on the top line might foreshadow what the regular season holds, especially in Valeri Nichushkin’s absence.

The bad

A common theme for both the Avalanche and Colorado Eagles last season was the impossible task of staying out of the penalty box.

This Achilles Heel once again became apparent as the team committed four minor penalties in the first period, resulting in two 5-on-3 situations in favor of Vegas. The Golden Knights claimed their tying goal on a delayed penalty call.

Though Colorado was not the only team finding themselves on the repeated penalty kill, they were the team who struggled to capitalize on their opportunities.

As reflected in the score, the team had no way of stopping any sort of momentum Vegas had gathered. Knowing this, it may be an easy way to nip the “second period curse” the Avalanche seemed to have last season.

Through 60 minutes of play, Colorado had 19 giveaways. One particularly bad turnover led to another goal on the unfavorable side of the scoreboard.

What’s next?

The Avalanche will hit the road to take on Vegas on Oct. 3 and will conclude the preseason run with Utah Hockey Club on Oct. 5.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-remain-winless-after-6-1-loss-to-golden-knights/feed/ 0 31754 Avalanche rookies suffer 6–3 beating in final Rookie Faceoff game https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-rookies-suffer-6-3-beating-in-final-rookie-faceoff-game/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-rookies-suffer-6-3-beating-in-final-rookie-faceoff-game/#respond Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:55:57 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=31640 Another beating in the last game sealed the tone for The Colorado Avalanche rookie squad as they rolled into the third and final Rookie Faceoff game with two losses. The... Read more »

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]]> Another beating in the last game sealed the tone for The Colorado Avalanche rookie squad as they rolled into the third and final Rookie Faceoff game with two losses. The team fell 4–3 against the Anaheim Ducks, followed by a 5–1 defeat against the Seattle Kraken.

Seeking a win before heading home, there were obvious struggles to overcome.

Their opponent, the San Jose Sharks, was running on a two-win momentum, and it showed. A 6­–3 beating was evidence of work to be done.

The struggle in the last two games was discouraging for players and fans, despite not counting toward the overall season record.

The good

The young guns of the Avalanche team excelled defensively in the first period, with Matthew Stienburg and Benjamin Brunelle scoring a goal each.

Colorado had several good entries into the zone and began consistently putting pucks on the net in the third period.

Keaton Mastrodonato was successful in lighting the lamp in the middle of the third frame, claiming the only Avalanche goal in the final 40 minutes.

The bad

The Sharks headed to the box several times with their aggressive play, leaving Colorado with the advantage. While capitalizing on the first power play, they fell short on four others and gave up a shorthanded goal.

San Jose forward Nolan Burke takes advantage of an unattended net in the second period, opening up scoring. The shorthanded goal and tied it up 2–2. Colorado goalie’s oversight marked the start of a challenging game.

The second period was a mess. Two consecutive penalties left the Avalanche with a 5-on-3 disadvantage. Two unanswered San Jose goals prior to the penalties rattled the rookies. The disconnect on the ice turned into another goal from the Sharks, making it three unanswered goals and putting them ahead 3–2.

The middle 20 became open season for the opposing roster. Another goal made it 4-2 with no signs of stopping.

Colorado also had a problem with spending time in the box. The Sharks quickly gained a two-man advantage as they swiftly followed one penalty with another. They capitalized twice.

A 6–3 final score was evidence of Colorado goalie Adam Scheel’s crumble under pressure. The rest of the team struggled to support him in the defensive zone, often leaving him the only one to protect the net.

Takeaways

Regardless of records during rookie showings, the most important takeaway is the experience and development of the young players as they move through the Avalanche system.

Identifying strengths and weaknesses of each individual player during game situations is invaluable. It became increasingly clear that there is a certain level of scramble once a Colorado opponent gets momentum.

The season is long, allowing ample room for rookie growth. The Avalanche preseason debut is on Sept. 23 against the Dallas Stars.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-rookies-suffer-6-3-beating-in-final-rookie-faceoff-game/feed/ 0 31640 Avalanche fail to find groove in game three against Dallas Stars https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fail-to-find-groove-in-game-three-against-dallas-stars/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fail-to-find-groove-in-game-three-against-dallas-stars/#respond Sun, 12 May 2024 05:18:24 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=30846 The Colorado Avalanche returned home from Dallas after a split road trip. The Colorado Avalanche had a tough time in their last matchup against the Dallas Stars, but they found... Read more »

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]]> The Colorado Avalanche returned home from Dallas after a split road trip. The Colorado Avalanche had a tough time in their last matchup against the Dallas Stars, but they found their groove late in the game and fought against the clock with their effort.

With a 5–3 loss on Thursday and the series tied at one, the return to Ball Arena would be crucial. The Avalanche have not led a game at any point during the series, and a first period push from Dallas kept the trend going.

Overview

As opposed to game two, game three didn’t have game-changing penalties. Rather, the team struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the first period. Spending 20 minutes out of sync in the offensive zone proved too deadly.

Dallas got on the board at the end of the first period, leaving the Avalanche scrambling to gain a lead.

The team was consistently missing passes and over skating pucks. Dallas picked up the pucks left for teammates and ran with them without hesitation.

The second period held a better performance, even resulting in a goal from Mikko Rantanen off of a rebound from Nathan MacKinnon. Not only was this goal a relief on the scoreboard, but it also was a stark contrast from the game two statistics. Neither Rantanen nor MacKinnon recorded a shot, which is not a good look for two top-line forwards.

The Avalanche consistently outshot the Stars, and their lone goal took 20 shots to find. Colorado had several chances in high-danger zones, but Stars goalie Jake Oettinger seemed to beat them to the punch every time.

A second Stars goal going on the scoreboard killed Colorado’s momentum, leaving the team at a 2-1 deficit at the end of the second period.

The home team found their saving grace in the performance of Alexandar Georgiev, who has been locked in since the series against the Winnipeg Jets. He had several clutch saves to keep the game within reach for Colorado.

The coach pulled Georgiev from the ice late in the third period in favor of the extra attacker. The team could not keep the puck under control in the offensive zone, allowing the Stars to net two additional goals.

Takeaways

In games like this, especially in the series against Dallas, the game changers come down to the little things. The Avalanche could not convert on any of their three power plays and had 12 giveaways.

The top defensive pair picked up five shots on goal each, with MacKinnon and Rantanen each picking up four. At the very least, this is an improvement from their last showing, where MacKinnon and Rantanen came up empty.

The team failed to play a full 60 minutes, appearing lackadaisical in the third period despite the Stars clearly becoming fatigued.

The two teams will face off again on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Denver.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fail-to-find-groove-in-game-three-against-dallas-stars/feed/ 0 30846 Colorado Eagles season ends in emotional overtime loss https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-season-ends-in-emotional-overtime-loss/ https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-season-ends-in-emotional-overtime-loss/#respond Mon, 29 Apr 2024 01:54:22 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=30591 LOVELAND, Colo. — In Colorado Eagles playoff history, the organization has never faced an elimination game in the first round. Despite a noble overtime comeback goal from Brad Hunt on... Read more »

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]]> LOVELAND, Colo. — In Colorado Eagles playoff history, the organization has never faced an elimination game in the first round. Despite a noble overtime comeback goal from Brad Hunt on Friday, it was do or die time for the roster. In an emotional last outing, the Eagles fell short.

The Abbotsford Canucks posed a challenge for the Eagles in their upcoming match. In the regular season, the Eagles were 4–2–2–0. They had already faced a 4–2 playoff loss on April 24.

The game was a series of “almost” for the first two periods of play. After the Abbotsford Canucks found the back of the net at the 14-minute mark of the first period, it was going to be a challenge for the Eagles to equalize. Colorado put up 26 shots in the first 40 minutes of play yet came up empty.

Despite goaltender Ivan Prosvetov coming up big to keep the team within reach, opposing netminder Zach Sawchenko kept the onslaught of shots at bay. Prosvetov’s coolness in the net was encouraging to see. With a locked in goaltender, the team could go to work offensively.

Colorado’s frustration shined in several situations, forcing Prosvetov to bail them out. The second frame was full of pushing and shoving, nearly costing them a goal with a loose puck in play.

No matter what the Eagles did, the end seemed inevitable. Prosvetov’s penalty for interference allowed the Eagles to exploit the mistake. After 57 minutes of play, Sam Malinski accomplished what seemed like the impossible and found the back of the net.

It took 42 shots, but the Eagles forced their second straight overtime game. Holding strong for nine minutes, the Eagles took it. After several battles in front of the net, Sawchenko proved to be the star of the show.

Canucks player Chase Wouters got the go-ahead goal for Abbotsford with puck luck to finish it. Wouters had a lucky deflection off of his stick and closed out the game and the Colorado Eagles season ends with a 2–1 loss.

“It’s probably the worst way you can lose and probably the best way you can win,” defenseman Brad Hunt said. “I mean, It’s a roller coaster and we’re at the bottom.”

The key word in the last bout against Abbotsford was “almost.” In several scenarios, the Eagles almost put the puck in the back of the net. It was truly a game of chances and near misses.

Despite a season ending performance, head coach Aaron Schneekloth had insight and pride from the team’s performance.

“I mean, you get into an elimination game and overtime, and somebody’s got to be the hero, or you have a whole team full of disappointed players,” he said. “Look at the division we play in. All of those teams are capable of making a deep playoff run, and we were one of them. It’s unfortunate that two of these games go into overtime and we lose the second one.”

Abbotsford will now move onto the second round and take on the Ontario Reign.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-season-ends-in-emotional-overtime-loss/feed/ 0 30591 Avalanche suffer heartbreaking loss to Jets in playoff opener https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-suffer-heartbreaking-loss-to-jets-in-playoff-opener/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-suffer-heartbreaking-loss-to-jets-in-playoff-opener/#respond Mon, 22 Apr 2024 03:52:28 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=29346 The Colorado Avalanche hit a rough patch ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs. They suffered a 7–0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets in their last regular season matchup, so the... Read more »

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]]> The Colorado Avalanche hit a rough patch ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs. They suffered a 7–0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets in their last regular season matchup, so the seven-game series was going to be a battle until the very end.

Connor Hellebuyck was going to be a hard goaltender to beat, but the Colorado offense was certainly capable of the task.

For the first game of the series, the Avalanche gave the Jets a hard-fought game. Despite falling to Winnipeg 7–6 in a heartbreaking five minutes, the Avalanche have a good foundation to build upon and will be dangerous for the remaining series.

The good

The team offensively exploded in the first period. Valeri Nichushkin lit the lamp first at the six-minute mark and was greatly outshooting their opponent.

Though quickly down by one in the first period, the Avalanche turned things around in 18 seconds.

Miles Wood tied it up on a point-blank shot, quickly followed by a cannon from Nathan MacKinnon to take the lead once again. Colorado grossly outplayed the Jets in the first period, but got unlucky on the goals against.

The team scored on both power play opportunities. Artturi Lehkonen’s power play goal in the third period encouraged the rest of the team to step up to the plate and bring the game within one goal in the last seconds.

Colorado put up 45 shots on the net in the heartbreaking loss, almost double of Winnipeg. The offensive zone presence was dangerous.

Arguably, the most important part of the game was not just the goals for the team, but also the way they scored them. Despite being down 6–3 in the third period, the Avalanche still put up three goals, making the Jets work for the victory until the end.

The perseverance and determination were admirable and will be a weapon in their next game on Tuesday.

The bad

Unfortunately, the Jets capitalized on every single mistake the Avalanche made, whether big or small. During the first period, they tied up the game on a shot from the blue line through traffic and leaving Colorado goaltender Alexandar Georgiev blind to the location of the puck.

Josh Manson set the scene for the second goal on a turnover, quickly giving Winnipeg a 2–1 lead.

The second period was when the game got out of hand for the Avalanche. Beginning the period at 3–3, a two-on-one scenario ended in a 4–3 lead, and Colorado struggled to get looks on the net.

The second period yielded ugly results for the Avalanche. The goaltending wasn’t the primary issue, though it played a large part. Georgiev has frequently been under fire for his performances.

A seven-goal game is nothing to be proud of, especially when a team is putting up as many shots as Colorado was.

The Avalanche recorded 21 shots on the net in the third period alone, far outshooting the Jets at six. Out of the six Winnipeg shots, three of them were goals.

Throughout the game, it appeared there was a disconnect between the offense and defense. Players were getting the job done in the Winnipeg zone, yet were completely breaking down in their own zone.

Georgiev struggled to bring clutch saves to the table when the team needed him most. It could be a confidence issue, but it will be hard to recover from seven goals on 23 shots.

Analysis

Going forward, there is a lot to be excited about. The aggression, the grit, and the capability to put up goals is going to keep Colorado in the series.

Several players were absent from the lineup tonight. Jonathan Drouin will not be healthy enough to play in the first round, so the offense will have to adjust to a new formation to be successful.

Samuel Girard was also absent from the lineup, which could be part of the reason the defense seemed to struggle. Justus Annunen was out with an illness in this game, leaving AHL goaltender Arvid Holm in the backup net, undoubtedly adding pressure to every player on the ice.

On Tuesday, the Avalanche may opt to put Annunen in the net, assuming he is healthy.

The team should be able to walk away with a better game plan in mind and come out for the next game as explosive as this one.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-suffer-heartbreaking-loss-to-jets-in-playoff-opener/feed/ 0 29346 Avalanche find redemption against Edmonton Oilers https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-find-redemption-against-edmonton-oilers/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-find-redemption-against-edmonton-oilers/#respond Fri, 19 Apr 2024 05:31:20 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=29324 In the final stretch of the regular season, the Colorado Avalanche did not put their best foot forward and desperately needed redemption. In their last 10 games, the team sported... Read more »

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]]> In the final stretch of the regular season, the Colorado Avalanche did not put their best foot forward and desperately needed redemption. In their last 10 games, the team sported a 4–3–1–1 record and suffered several disheartening losses.

In their recent streak, they lost a three-goal lead in the final period against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday and a staggering 7–0 defeat to the Winnipeg Jets the night before.

The Edmonton Oilers provided just the confidence boost the team needed. In their last meeting, the Avalanche fell in a 6–2 loss on April 5.

Though the Oilers scratched most of their top players, it was still an opportunity for the roster to be put back into the winning mindset.

The good

The Colorado Avalanche came out of the gate hot, scoring four goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. Valeri Nichushkin kicked things off just over one minute into the period, setting the pace.

Mikko Rantanen lit the lamp at the five-minute mark. Nathan MacKinnon, who marked his 139th season point, assisted his goal and tied the franchise record.

 

Nichushkin tipped in his second goal of the evening on the man advantage, helping MacKinnon break the franchise record for points scored in a single season. Cale Makar secured the secondary assist, tallying his 250th career assist. Nichushkin’s goal was his 200th of his career.

Josh Manson found the back of the net to conclude the first period, and Zach Parise secured a goal at the end of the second period. Parise’s goal marked the last goal he would ever score in a regular season game, making it even more special.

The prolific offensive performance resembled the team playing against the Golden Knights. The challenge would be holding onto it, which the team struggled to do in their last game.

The team recorded 27 shots on goal, 13 of them from the first period alone. The early jump on the Oilers was a promising look, especially on the doorstep of an undoubtedly challenging first round opponent.

The Avalanche posted Justus Annunen in the net, who looked confident and composed. He sported several massive saves for the team, showing his promise for a solid performance in the upcoming series.

The Avalanche only found themselves in the penalty box twice. Despite having a strong penalty kill, penalties can be costly and change the course of games.

The bad

Despite having a very successful game, Colorado still fell short in several key areas.

The team only won 32.7 percent of face offs and only capitalized on one out of four power play chances. The Avalanche also had seven giveaways. Most concerningly, the team only put up four shots in the final 20 minutes of the game.

The ability to finish a game is everything, and putting less than ten shots on the net in a period is asking for a last-minute comeback.

Alexandar Georgiev has had a spotty performance in the last games he has started. While Annunen is a reliable goaltender, relying on him for a deep playoff run is not a reasonable expectation. Georgiev had an opportunity for a get-right game against the Knights, but ultimately, he could not keep things under control in the net.

Arguably the most concerning aspect of the rest of the season is the health of the players. Jonathan Drouin went down hard on the ice in the second period and quickly limped off to the locker room. He is now listed as a lower body injury and head coach Jared Bednar had no comment regarding his timeline after the game.

Samuel Girard is in concussion protocol after a collision with his own teammate in the contest against the Jets. He is a fundamental defensive player, and his absence was noticeable. Coupled with the loss of Logan O’Connor, the Avalanche are catching the injury bug at a catastrophic time.

What’s next?

The Avalanche will be on the road for the first game of the seven-game series against the Winnipeg Jets. They will be on the road Sunday and Tuesday but return to Ball Arena on Friday and Sunday, April 28.

Colorado is 29–11–1 on the road but will have quite a matchup against Connor Hellebuyck.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-find-redemption-against-edmonton-oilers/feed/ 0 29324 Avalanche fumble three-goal lead over Vegas Golden Knights https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fumble-three-goal-lead-over-vegas-golden-knights/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fumble-three-goal-lead-over-vegas-golden-knights/#respond Sun, 14 Apr 2024 23:22:11 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=29295 After last night’s 7–0 loss against the Winnipeg Jets, the rest of the season was not looking optimistic for the Colorado Avalanche. A fumble after a three-goal lead the day... Read more »

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]]> After last night’s 7–0 loss against the Winnipeg Jets, the rest of the season was not looking optimistic for the Colorado Avalanche. A fumble after a three-goal lead the day after such a defeat certainly did not put the team on the right track before playoffs.

In their last ten games, the team sat at a 4–5–1 record with only two games remaining.

The presence on the ice against the Vegas Golden Knights was a night and day difference, and it all started in the first period. Throughout the season, the Avalanche has had ten comeback wins when trailing by two or more goals, so momentum has always been the key to Colorado victories.

The good

As opposed to the game against the Jets, Colorado looked cohesive as a team. Every line was putting in the work, and Ross Colton was the first to be rewarded by a margin of mere inches.

He lit the lamp by beating Vegas’ Adin Hill and sending the puck between the post and Hill’s pad at the seven-minute mark.

Three minutes later, Cale Makar brought the Avalanche up by two on a wrist shot from a feed from Nathan MacKinnon.

The real test would be holding the lead, especially with playoffs around the corner against Winnipeg.

Alexandar Georgiev sat tall in the net for the first two periods, coming up big with several dangerous situations in front of him. As of late, he has been in a slump and was pulled from the Winnipeg game after allowing four goals.

A feel-good game would undoubtedly boost his confidence, and it would not have come at a better time.

By the time the second period started, the offensive identity showed. Mikko Rantanen redirected a shot from Josh Manson to put the team in a comfortable 3–0 lead.

Even after three unanswered goals from Vegas, the team did not shut down. The competitive and “never give up” mindset will be invaluable in the first round playoff series.

The bad

To start the game, there wasn’t much to complain about. The team put up 11 shots to six from the Golden Knights in the first and survived all 11 of the Golden Knights’ shot attempts.

A successful challenge from Jared Bednar sustained the 2–0 lead after a missed goalie interference call in the first frame.

The third period left much to be desired. Ivan Barbashev put one on the board at the three-minute mark, but a two-goal margin should have been sufficient to survive the remaining 17 minutes.

A power play goal from Vegas sliced the margin to two, and ten minutes later, William Karlsson landed a goal on the top left side of the net to tie the game at three.

In the third period, Colorado put up a measly two shots to their opponent’s 11, an alarming switch from the first 40 minutes of play.

A strong start gave Colorado a good look, but if they have a breakdown in the last frame, opponents will exploit it in the post-season run and all but guarantee a first-round exit.

The game came down to an aggressive overtime performance, but a high-sticking penalty from Josh Manson left the team at a severe disadvantage in another crucial game.

The Golden Knights wasted no time netting a goal on the man-advantage, bringing the game to a brutal end.

In the end, Colorado fumbled when it mattered most. The team recorded four total shots in the last frame and overtime, a completely unacceptable performance this late into the season.

What’s next?

The Avalanche are still in the running for the home ice advantage, but they now leave their fate in the hands of the Jets.

A win on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers will put them in a good spot, but it would also require Winnipeg to lose their games against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday and against the Canucks on Thursday.

The last meeting between the Oilers and Avalanche yielded a 6–2 loss and gave Edmonton the go-ahead to playoffs.

The regular season finale will be vital to Colorado, but their current track record is worrisome. Their scoring frequently depends on the first line and the defensive breakdowns and the type of goals allowed are unfavorable at best.

Game recap

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fumble-three-goal-lead-over-vegas-golden-knights/feed/ 0 29295 Eagles overcome two-goal deficit against Silver Knights https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-overcome-two-goal-deficit-against-silver-knights/ https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-overcome-two-goal-deficit-against-silver-knights/#respond Sun, 07 Apr 2024 23:44:21 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=29245 The Colorado Eagles have been inconsistent with their performance since clinching a bid to the Calder Cup playoffs on March 30 against the Abbotsford Canucks (VAN). While facing the Henderson... Read more »

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]]> The Colorado Eagles have been inconsistent with their performance since clinching a bid to the Calder Cup playoffs on March 30 against the Abbotsford Canucks (VAN).

While facing the Henderson Silver Knights (VGK), the team faced a loss on April 6, yet were tenacious against Henderson in the following game.

The Eagles sat fourth in the Pacific Division, a mere two points behind the Tucson Roadrunners (ARI).

The good

Colorado suffered a staggering 4–1 loss against Henderson and nearly had a copycat game.

Fortunately for them, Callahan Burke put the team on the board with a 2–1 lead, and the game appeared to be headed in the Eagles favor.

Quick jumps to the net are vital in the playoffs. Being dialed in from the first moment to the last is what will make or break in a game.

The Eagles had a three-goal comeback in the third period, finalizing the score 4–2 at the very last moment. Spencer Smallman opened the period with a goal, helped by Sam Malinski and Jean-Luc Foudy at the four-minute mark.

Nearly four minutes later, Malinski and Matthew Stienburg fed Fredrik Olofsson to overcome the 2–2 tie.

Finally, Riley Tufte scored his 20th goal of the season on an empty net, finalizing the victory.

The team played with a sense of urgency throughout the third period. Rather than accepting defeat as they did on Saturday, the team came together and pulled out three unanswered goals.

The team put 31 shots on the net, with the majority being in the second period. This shows the ability to bring the puck deep, only to be stopped by an impressive performance from Henderson’s Jesper Vikman.

With the two collected points against Henderson, they have a solid chance of rising in the standings, which will directly affect their postseason situation.

Aside from their three-goal run, it was a full team effort. Eight players had direct credit for the netted goals. The depth and offensive drive from the roster is an invaluable asset as they finish the rest of the season.

The team also successfully killed seven penalties.

The next two games are against the Tucson Roadrunners, who sit directly above them in the standings. Bringing home four points will not only help them rise in the standings, but take a lead over their opponent.

The bad

The game was incredibly physical, which is not always a bad thing.

Throughout the season, Colorado has struggled with penalties. Many times, spending a significant amount of time in the box has had a direct impact on the game.

The Eagles had seven penalties against the Silver Knights, leaving the fate of game changing goals up to their penalty kill units. Three of the penalties were for roughing. Luckily, the status of their special teams is highly favorable, helping them find victory.

In the second period, Colorado allowed two goals on eight shots from the Silver Knights. One of the opposing goals hit the crossbar and exited before he was aware it went in. The second goal was a cross-slot pass, and the defense could not knock the puck away.

Despite being awarded three power plays, the Eagles could not convert on any of them. Being able to convert on the man advantage is crucial to winning games.

Takeaways

Colorado is in a comfortable spot. Their tenacity and penalty kill prevailed to take the victory away from the Silver Knights.

Bringing pucks to the net and using the entire roster to light the lamp is a difference maker, especially in games they need to win.

The team will continue their road trip to Tucson before returning for their last home stand of the season. They will host the San Diego Gulls (ANA) and the Ontario Reign (LAK) to close out their regular season.

All six of the upcoming games will be the determining factor in the final standings.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-overcome-two-goal-deficit-against-silver-knights/feed/ 0 29245 Avalanche push toward final stretch after Edmonton loss https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-push-toward-final-stretch-after-edmonton-loss/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-push-toward-final-stretch-after-edmonton-loss/#respond Sat, 06 Apr 2024 04:51:20 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=29227 The final stretch for the Colorado Avalanche is crucial. The team is battling for a top spot in the Central Division but has hit several road bumps. Valeri Nichushkin and... Read more »

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]]> The final stretch for the Colorado Avalanche is crucial. The team is battling for a top spot in the Central Division but has hit several road bumps.

Valeri Nichushkin and Yakov Trenin have been absent because of injury, but both rejoined the lineup in tonight’s game against the Edmonton Oilers. While both players undoubtedly make a monumental impact on the team’s performance, the game against Edmonton was the second game in a back-to-back run

The good

The beginning of the game was off to a hot start. Corey Perry from Edmonton scored an early goal with a fortunate bounce, but Jonathan Drouin evened the score at the 12-minute mark with an assist from Nathan MacKinnon.

The quick bounce back into the game was promising, especially against a team as successful as the Oilers.

Even better, Ross Colton lit the lamp only four minutes later, giving the Avalanche the advantage. The game looked promising, and with all players back on the ice, it had the potential to be a good game.

Despite being outshot 16–6 in the first period, the team held strong and scored on the few chances they had.

The Avalanche were 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. Against a competitive team, the ability to shut down any advantage is key.

The bad

The game quickly fell apart after Mikko Rantanen took a hard hit in the second frame and headed down the tunnel. Because of an upper body injury, Rantanen would not return to the game, and his absence was noticeable.

With a quick line shuffle, everything seemed okay. They entered the second period tied up with two goals, but they would quickly find themselves in a hole they could not dig themselves out of.

Despite Colorado’s reputation for unlikely comebacks, Edmonton’s relentless efforts and excellent defensive skills successfully prevented the top scorers from reaching the net.

They quickly took the lead 3–2 and added an insurance goal with a buzzer beater.

Early in the season, this performance can be acceptable. But with five games left in the season and the Central Division playoff seating on the line, allowing four goals in two periods and being outshot 47–23 will have huge consequences in the postseason.

The team only won 33.9 percent of faceoffs and had 12 giveaways, both of which make winning the games unfavorable.

Takeaways

Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev is not entirely to blame for this loss, but his performance in the last few games he has played has been concerning.

Overall, he has a successful record. He sits 37–15–4 on the season, but in the last few games he has looked panicked and disorganized.

He allowed four goals against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 4. Luckily, Justus Annunen has stepped up to the plate and provides reliable relief to Georgiev. Annunen’s relaxed presence in the net is exactly what the team needs from a secondary netminder.

If Rantanen has a long-term absence, the modifications to the lineup could take some time to find chemistry. The top line for the Avalanche has been not only consistent but also very successful.

Rantanen is one of the top point scorers for Colorado, and his chemistry with MacKinnon is a huge contributor to the team’s overall success.

The next five games are crucial to the team’s postseason run. They are only three points away from the Dallas Stars. With their game on April 9 against Dallas, a win would be a monumental step forward.

Moving forward into the ultimate games of the regular season, the team’s performance will be a good indicator of what to expect, especially if Rantanen does not have a timeline to return.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-push-toward-final-stretch-after-edmonton-loss/feed/ 0 29227 Colorado Eagles clinch bid to Calder Cup playoffs https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-clinch-bid-to-calder-cup-playoffs/ https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-clinch-bid-to-calder-cup-playoffs/#respond Sat, 30 Mar 2024 05:36:51 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=29140 LOVELAND, Colo. — The last two days in Colorado sports have been eventful and full of high-risk games. Last night, the Colorado Avalanche fell to the New York Rangers 3–2... Read more »

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]]> LOVELAND, Colo. — The last two days in Colorado sports have been eventful and full of high-risk games. Last night, the Colorado Avalanche fell to the New York Rangers 3–2 in a shootout and missed a chance to clinch a playoff spot.

The Colorado Eagles, the AHL affiliate of the Avalanche, had the opportunity to clinch a bid to postseason if they did things right. To do so, they needed to pick up a point against the Abbotsford Canucks or put their faith in the Tucson Roadrunners losing to the San Diego Gulls.

The Eagles had a record of 4–1–1–0 record for the 2023-24 season, so the chances of the team securing at least one point were in their favor.

After a very physical and hard-fought game, Colorado fell to the Canucks in overtime with a 2–1 score at the 1:30 mark.

Even though the home team didn’t secure a victory, they still clinched a spot in the race for the Calder Cup.

The good

Even after being on a nine day break, the Eagles came out of the gate fast, but the Canucks matched pace with them. After being stuck in a toe-to-toe battle during the first period, Ondrej Pavel turned the course of the game in a positive direction while Colorado was working on a penalty kill.

With Chris Wagner in the box for holding and the Canucks holding a 16.9% success rate with the man advantage, Pavel took the puck into the offensive zone and put Colorado ahead by one at the 12-minute mark.

The relentless offensive drive was prevalent in this game and Colorado far outshot the Canucks. In the first period, both teams had six shots, but the Eagles took the lead with 8–2 in the second period and 11–5 in the third period.

Despite the outcome, not giving up in the face of a competitive goalie will be key in the quickly approaching postseason.

The bad

Like most losses the Eagles have this season, penalties are a huge contributor. They racked up six penalties for 12 minutes in the box.

Three penalties were for roughing, which Riley Tufte seems to take part in often.

However, the physicality of the game as a good warm-up for what is coming in the playoffs.

“I think every team in our division is really good,” he said. “So they’re always going to be tight games. You know, there being so many games left, they’re gonna try to get amped up for playoffs. I think everything’s gonna be like that. So, you’ve got to find a way to win those games. And I think overall we played really well.”

To go on a successful playoff run, the Eagles will need to work on not letting their opponents convert on the shots they take. Colorado had 11 more shots on the net, yet still fell 2–1.

While the first goal wasn’t a direct consequence of Ivan Prosvetov’s goaltending, the puck went right between his legs for the overtime winner.

Once the Eagles tighten up their playing and stay out of the box, the success will continue to follow.

What’s next?

Colorado will take on the Abbotsford Canucks for the last time tomorrow, March 30.

With a win, they will be able to jump to second place in the conference. The team is now competing for the home ice advantage, which, according to Head Coach Aaron Schneekloth, makes a night and day difference.

“It’s huge,” he said. “I mean, look at our home record. The support we get here, the energy [the fans] provide us every single night, the revenue would help with the organization. It’s a big deal playing on home ice in the playoffs. Our fans deserve to see extra games and the players deserve to step on the ice in front of the greatest fans in the world.”

The final 11 games are going to be vital for the standings. The Eagles have been in a constant battle between the Roadrunners and the Ontario Reign for the second place seed.

Interviews

Head Coach Aaron Schneekloth

 

Forward Riley Tufte

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-clinch-bid-to-calder-cup-playoffs/feed/ 0 29140 MacKinnon point streak thwarted in shootout loss https://www.the-rink.com/mackinnon-point-streak-thwarted-in-shootout-loss/ https://www.the-rink.com/mackinnon-point-streak-thwarted-in-shootout-loss/#respond Fri, 29 Mar 2024 05:07:08 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=29125 With the final push to playoffs in full swing, the Colorado Avalanche had a good chance to clinch a bid with a win over the New York Rangers. Of course,... Read more »

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]]> With the final push to playoffs in full swing, the Colorado Avalanche had a good chance to clinch a bid with a win over the New York Rangers.

Of course, it was conditional. The San Jose Sharks needed to beat the Minnesota Wild, and the St. Louis Blues needed to fall to the Calgary Flames.

Though neither game produced the outcome the Avalanche needed, Colorado looked to be locking into a playoff mindset.

In the last meeting between the two teams, the Avalanche fell to the Rangers in overtime. Knowing the game would be equal from start to finish, the home team would have to be firing on all cylinders.

Nathan MacKinnon’s streak of 35 home games with at least one point ended after they suffered a 3–2 outcome in a shootout, despite their efforts.

The good

The overwhelming impression is how well the Avalanche performed perfectly under pressure. Despite being worked every second of the game, the team did not waver in their determination and grit.

Even though they had trouble holding onto a lead and didn’t get on the board until Casey Mittelstadt netted a goal in the second period, the desire and drive to walk away with a victory was prevalent.

The constant pressure would be to the team’s benefit during the third period. The Rangers netted their second goal in the middle of the last frame, only for Devon Toews to equalize the game and send the game to overtime three minutes later.

The Avalanche’s specialty was putting everything possible on the net. With 40 shots on the net, Igor Shesterkin saved all but two. The most important aspect from now on is the ability to attack any opponent from an offensive angle.

The bad

There isn’t much that went wrong in this game. The Rangers sat at the top of the league and continue to hold the position.

The biggest issue was the difficulty the Avalanche had to get offensive momentum going. Shesterkin wasn’t willing to let anything through, so breaking the ice and getting something moving was no simple task.

To make matters more difficult, Valeri Nichushkin, who is out with a lower-body injury, was missing from the team. His impact on the ice is one of Colorado’s greatest assets, and his absence had an immediately noticeable impact.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are a different level of play, and the Avalanche have to be ready to make something out of nothing.

Takeaways

Colorado will have another shot at clinching playoffs on Saturday against the Nashville Predators. The last meeting also resulted in a 5–1 loss to their division rival back on March 2nd.

Every single game matters, and not just from a points perspective. These last few regular season games are a less risky warmup for postseason. Considering the current trajectory, it seems like the Avalanche are getting into playoff shape and are prepared to make a run for the Stanley Cup.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/mackinnon-point-streak-thwarted-in-shootout-loss/feed/ 0 29125 Eagles notch victory over the Admirals https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-notch-victory-over-the-admirals/ https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-notch-victory-over-the-admirals/#respond Wed, 20 Mar 2024 05:32:23 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=29020 LOVELAND, Colo — When facing off against the Milwaukee Admirals, the Colorado Eagles had little to work with. Their last series matchup was anything but desirable, falling 1–0 in overtime... Read more »

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]]> LOVELAND, Colo — When facing off against the Milwaukee Admirals, the Colorado Eagles had little to work with. Their last series matchup was anything but desirable, falling 1–0 in overtime on Jan. 5 and 5–0 on Jan. 6.

Adding even more pressure, this was a big game for Milwaukee. The Admirals only needed to notch one more victory to clinch a playoff spot, so they were hungry for a win.

Much to their disappointment, the Eagles came to the game looking for a win. In their last 10 games, they were sporting a record of 6–3–0–1.

First period

While beginning the period looking a little scrambled, it didn’t take long for Colorado to get settled and go to work.

Fredrik Olofsson kicked the offense off at the six-minute mark, notching his first goal in an Eagles uniform.

With Colorado holding on to the lead, Milwaukee started a full-scale offensive attack on Trent Miner. The Admirals put 11 pucks on the net in eight minutes without the Eagles putting up a single one.

The tides turned after Admiral Zach L’Heureux took a penalty for high-sticking. Just under a minute into the man-advantage, Riley Tufte would net his 19th goal of the season and the second in two games.

Second period

The Eagles hit the ice in the middle frame, still looking strong. Milwaukee was an unrelenting force in Colorado’s zone but could not find a way past Miner, who looked relaxed in the crease for the entire game.

Sam Malinski cashed in on a one timer through traffic and gave the Eagles a 3–0 lead.

For the first two frames, it was clear this game was a full team effort. There was not a single player in a blue sweater who fell short of expectations.

With such an offensive showing, the Admirals were bound to score at some point, and they found an opportunity on a breakaway, narrowing the margin to two.

Third period

The Eagles spent the first part of the third period in the defensive zone, trying to keep Milwaukee at bay. The roster hadn’t even recorded a shot on the net before Corey Schueneman took a seat in the box for tripping.

Tanner Kero later joined him at the eight-minute mark, providing a dangerous 5-on-3 situation for 1:45.

Not only did Colorado execute a beautiful penalty kill, but they also made something out of nothing once again.

Upon Kero’s release from the box, the Eagles wasted no time and headed into the offensive zone. Kero fed Olofsson, and they restored the three-goal lead.

As true underdogs, the Eagles walked away with a 4–1 victory.

Takeaways

The Eagles came into this game as the underdog. The Admirals are first in the Central Division and second in the Western Conference, yet Colorado dominated and made something happen when there was very little given to them.

This mindset and willingness to work is invaluable in the postseason, especially when the team is being outshot by a significant margin. Throughout the game, the Eagles were outshot 13–9, 17–7, and 10–4.

Colorado and Milwaukee will face off for the last time tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-notch-victory-over-the-admirals/feed/ 0 29020 Avalanche comeback win claims first place in Central Division https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-comeback-win-claims-first-place-in-central-division/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-comeback-win-claims-first-place-in-central-division/#respond Thu, 14 Mar 2024 05:42:52 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28972 The second half of the Colorado Avalanche’s back-to-back Canadian run left much to be desired. Until a comeback 4–3 win in the third period, Colorado appeared to be slated to... Read more »

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]]> The second half of the Colorado Avalanche’s back-to-back Canadian run left much to be desired. Until a comeback 4–3 win in the third period, Colorado appeared to be slated to snap a four-game win streak.

After a shining 6–2 win over the Calgary Flames, the team was undoubtedly exhausted, and the absence of four impactful forwards immediately became noticeable against the Vancouver Canucks.

This game was the key to claiming the first-place seat in the Central Division, but the performance from the Avalanche was not living up to the standard set against the Flames.

Of course, this game was bound to be a hard-fought battle. For most of the season, Vancouver has been in the top three teams in the league. They are ten points ahead of the second-place team in the Pacific Division, the Edmonton Oilers.

The good

Josh Manson dropped the gloves against Nikita Zodorov in the second period. While he picked up a five-minute penalty for fighting, it was the first burst of energy from Colorado in the game.

Mikko Rantanen finally put the Avalanche on the board with less than three seconds to go in the second period, and the goal held the potential to start an unstoppable force in the final frame.

Luckily for Colorado, the third period resembled the team seen in the previous four games. Nathan MacKinnon brought the game within one after taking advantage of a 5-on-3 power play.

The tenacity of Rantanen and MacKinnon paved the way for Ross Colton to net his fourteenth goal of the season to tie the game.

In the third period alone, the Avalanche recorded 16 shots on goal, far outshining the Canucks’ three.

A late power play gave Colorado the man advantage in overtime. MacKinnon got the job done at the 30 second mark, assisted by Valeri Nichushkin’s visor.

The Avalanche are notorious for impossible comebacks, the most notable being against the Dallas Stars with a six-goal comeback on Nov. 18, 2023.

The bad

The Canucks wasted no time lighting the lamp and took an early lead, only 24 seconds into the first frame.

With the tone set, it was hard to slow their momentum. Vancouver scored another goal at the two-minute mark. Both goals were unfortunate tip-ins, but the Avalanche quickly spiraled into a deficit difficult to get out of.

Though much of the struggle was not just a lack of offensive pressure, but the Canucks left every ounce of defensive effort on the ice.

Going forward, Colorado cannot afford to leave their effort for the last period of the game. While there is an impressive track record for unforeseen comebacks, playoff games will not allow for any mistakes.

What’s next?

The Avalanche have 15 games to secure their spot in the Central Division, and it will be no easy task. The Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars are also fighting for first place, and all three teams are within 4 points of each other.

Next on the schedule is the Edmonton Oilers, who the Avalanche have yet to face this season. The Oilers had a slow start to the season but are now securely in second place in the Pacific Division, leading the Los Angeles Kings by four points.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-comeback-win-claims-first-place-in-central-division/feed/ 0 28972 Eagles shortcomings highlighted in 6–1 loss https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-shortcomings-highlighted-in-6-1-loss/ https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-shortcomings-highlighted-in-6-1-loss/#respond Sun, 10 Mar 2024 05:56:59 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28868 The Colorado Eagles had much to gain in the matchup with the Bakersfield Condors (EDM). But the team faced several shortcomings, and they were all brutally highlighted in their 6–1... Read more »

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]]> The Colorado Eagles had much to gain in the matchup with the Bakersfield Condors (EDM). But the team faced several shortcomings, and they were all brutally highlighted in their 6–1 loss.

After being traded to Anaheim earlier this week, the team missed key player Ben Meyers on the ice. The Eagles are also on the tail end of a six-game road trip, all while fighting to keep their second place standing.

A win would mean everything, especially at this point in the season. A victory situates the team comfortably at 71 points and trailing the Coachella Valley Firebirds (SEA) by seven points. Third place team Tucson Roadrunners (ARI) trail the Eagles by a mere four points.

The good

It goes without saying the Eagles struggled in their loss. After only trailing by one after the first frame, a second goal only 18 seconds into the period wasn’t encouraging.

However, Colorado never slowed down and became complacent, a very positive trait with playoffs just around the corner. The team appeared to be on the cusp of a goal for the first 40 minutes, but simply could not get through Condor Olivier Rodrigue to light the lamp.

Though it took 50 minutes of play, Riley Tufte and Peter Holland prevented a shutout. A dish from Tufte off the bobble of the Condors allowed Holland the room to find the back of the net and cut the margin down to five.

The bad

Unfortunately for Colorado, there was more to correct than to celebrate. The matchups between the Eagles and Condors have never been easy, frequently splitting the series.

Goaltender Ivan Prosvetov has been an enormous asset to the Eagles, sporting an 8–2–0–2 record with a save percentage of 0.935. Despite such a positive impact on the team, he allowed three goals on 16 shots, two of which were in the second period.

The Eagles excelled in drawing penalties but couldn’t convert on any of them. Heading into post season, power plays can make or break a game. Colorado was rewarded with a four-minute advantage in the second frame, but Tanner Kero‘s double minor cut it short.

His time in the box was a direct cause of the third goal against the Eagles.

The Condors opened up the third period with another goal, increasing the margin to four. Lighting the lamp for the fourth time was the beginning of the end for the team, and the spiral was a collective effort.

In a minute and a half, Bakersfield netted goals five and six, all while keeping the Eagles off of the scoreboard.

What now?

The team still has 16 games to solidify their standing in the rankings. After working out some of their issues and readjusting to the absence of Meyers, the future is bright for the team.

The Eagles will have time to reset and return to their home arena to face the Calgary Wranglers (CGY) on Friday, March 15 at 7:05 p.m.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-shortcomings-highlighted-in-6-1-loss/feed/ 0 28868 Makar nets hat trick in decisive victory https://www.the-rink.com/makar-nets-hat-trick-in-decisive-victory/ https://www.the-rink.com/makar-nets-hat-trick-in-decisive-victory/#respond Thu, 07 Mar 2024 06:52:28 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28826 For the Colorado Avalanche, it was hard to add any more chaos for the day. Trading Bowen Byram to the Buffalo Sabres and Ryan Johansen to the Philadelphia Flyers was... Read more »

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]]> For the Colorado Avalanche, it was hard to add any more chaos for the day. Trading Bowen Byram to the Buffalo Sabres and Ryan Johansen to the Philadelphia Flyers was an event in its own right, but newcomers Casey Mittelstadt (BUF) and Sean Walker (PHI) hadn’t yet made their way into the lineup.

Stepping up to the plate were Jean-Luc Foudy and Ondrej Pavel from the Colorado Eagles. To add to the pressure, it was Colorado’s first matchup against former teammate J.T. Compher on home ice since he signed with the Detroit Red Wings in free agency.

To match the pace of the day, the 7–2 decisive victory over the Red Wings was something unimaginable. Despite securing a win with such a substantial margin, there was still room to work for the home team while celebrating another historic night for the team.

Colorado outshot Detroit 54–29, but most of the success stemmed from the second period. The Avalanche scored three goals and put up a shocking 24 shots on the net, converting on three of them.

The Good

The Avalanche roster came up big in more ways than one. Cale Makar had recently broken an 11-game scoring drought against the Chicago Blackhawks on March 4. Since lighting the lamp, Makar broke open his historic night with an equalizing goal 5:15 into the contest, tying the game at one.

He subsequently scored an additional two back-to-back goals at the end of the second period, marking his first career hat trick—an impressive feat as a defenseman.

Nathan MacKinnon extended his home point streak to 31 games, tallying at least one in every matchup in Ball Arena for the 2023-24 season. MacKinnon collected four points on the night, his most notable also being an equalizing power play goal at the 17-minute mark.

Foudy made his first appearance in an Avalanche sweater after spending the first part of the season injured. Determined to make a splash, he netted his first NHL goal at 15:25 into the third period.

Mikko Rantanen tallied four assists, and Artturi Lehkonen and Jonathan Drouin also netted a goal in the decisive effort.

The Bad

The Avalanche had a serious problem with their penalty kill. Colorado is sitting 11th in the league on their penalty kill execution, but several defensive breakdowns in front of the net left too much room for Detroit to take advantage.

Both of the Red Wings’ goals took place in front of the net with little to no help from the defense. Alexandar Georgiev did as much as he could, but it proved to be a costly task.

Some of this could be because of the roster shuffle, but without the offensive force of the game, this could have proven to be catastrophic. Georgiev shut down many of Detroit’s offensive pressures, including a clutch glove save.

Takeaways

While the departure of Byram was an emotional moment for many Avalanche fans, the arrival of Mittelstadt and Walker is something to look forward to.

Makar’s impact tonight may have been the momentum the team needed to secure six unanswered goals in their decisive win, a much needed relief to the team’s offensive identity.

After securing tonight’s victory, Colorado and the Jets have tied at 83 points for second place in the Central Division, just two points behind Dallas.

The team is up against the Minnesota Wild on Friday. The Wild currently holds the sixth position in the Central Division and is nine points behind a wild card spot.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/makar-nets-hat-trick-in-decisive-victory/feed/ 0 28826 Eagles victory gains ground in Pacific Division https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-victory-gains-ground-in-pacific-division/ https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-victory-gains-ground-in-pacific-division/#respond Wed, 28 Feb 2024 06:28:45 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28697 The Colorado Eagles start off a six-game road trip in Abbotsford, facing the Canucks. During their last two-game series on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10, the Eagles picked up all... Read more »

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]]> The Colorado Eagles start off a six-game road trip in Abbotsford, facing the Canucks. During their last two-game series on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10, the Eagles picked up all four points. Since then, every victory gains ground in the Pacific Division.

Since then, Colorado has only lost one game and continues to rise in the AHL standings. With a 5–2 win to kick off a string of away games, the team sits only two points behind the top spot, currently occupied by the Coachella Valley Firebirds (Seattle Kraken).

First period

Despite having the perfect stage to make ground in the division, the roster got off to a slow start in the first frame. The Canucks out skated them for the first half of the period, forcing the Eagles to spend more time in their zone and only had limited opportunities to find the back of the net.

In the second half of the period, the visiting team picked up the pace and registered shots. Keaton Middleton slowed down the positive progress by air mailing a puck over the glass and taking a seat for delay of game.

Historically, the Eagles have been consistently strong on the penalty kill, and the roster looked put together. However, the Canucks got a lucky bounce and took the lead for the first and only time.

With Middleton out of the box and the Eagles at full strength, the fight was on. There were only four minutes remaining, and the team didn’t get discouraged by the sudden deficit.

As the clock ticked down for the first frame and only a few seconds remained, the likelihood of evening the score wasn’t looking likely.

Riley Tufte, recently on a prolonged dry spell, lights the lamp with only four seconds to go in the period. Fredrik Olofsson assisted his goal, marking his first goal in an Eagles uniform.

Even with the last moment neutralization, the Canucks still had 17 shots to Colorado’s 10.

Second period

Rolling into the second period with momentum, the Eagles dominated the ice and made up ground offensively.

Ivan Ivan is the first skater to be rewarded for his hard work. At the five-minute mark, he picks up a rebound from Callahan Burke and Jean-Luc Foudy and gives the Eagles a one-point lead. Ivan has been consistently hot, picking up his third point in four games.

Ben Meyers keeps the offensive pressure rolling and scores his tenth goal of the season with help from Peter Holland.

Right at the buzzer, Ivan scored another goal, but the officials waved it off. The team would maintain the two-goal advantage in the third period.

Third period

After an eventful second period, things were looking good for Colorado. Consistent pressure and energy yielded an optimistic energy on the ice.

Despite being behind by two, the Canucks were unrelenting. They seemed to go shot-for-shot with the Eagles.

Canucks skater Cole McWard picks up his fourth goal of the season and cuts down the lead to one.

With the game coming down to the wire and a boarding call on Olofsson, things were getting dangerous. Abbotsford favored an extra skater and pulled their goalie, creating a 6-on-4 situation.

Colorado fended off the overwhelming situation, largely because of goaltender Ivan Prosvetov. Since being sent down to the Eagles, he is 8–0–0–0 and provides stability and strength between the posts.

Abbotsford opted to not put their netminder back on the ice, which ended up being to the benefit of the Eagles. Tanner Kero takes advantage of the unoccupied goal, once again putting the team ahead by two.

Still unfinished and determined to score his second of the night, Ivan once again scores a buzzer beater and solidifies a 5–2 final score.

Takeaways

— Prosvetov is one of the most valuable additions to the team. The goalie remains undefeated and is a grounding force in the net. His consistently strong goaltending is invaluable to the team, especially at this point in the season.

— Several Eagles players are heating up, and just in the knick of time. Kero has two goals in three games, and several teammates join him. Ivan has notched four points in just as many games, and Cedric Paré has five points since Feb. 17.

— Colorado is staying hot and is on a six-game win streak for the second time this season, providing further proof this team is a force to be reckoned with. The roster will face off against the Canucks for the last game of the series tomorrow, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-victory-gains-ground-in-pacific-division/feed/ 0 28697 Prosvetov undefeated after shutout against the Silver Knights https://www.the-rink.com/prosvetov-undefeated-after-shutout-against-the-silver-knights/ https://www.the-rink.com/prosvetov-undefeated-after-shutout-against-the-silver-knights/#respond Sat, 24 Feb 2024 06:38:08 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28646 LOVELAND, Colo. – Cedric Paré and Ivan Prosvetov have put themselves on the map with stellar performances as of late. Paré has barely gone more than a few games without... Read more »

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]]> LOVELAND, Colo. – Cedric Paré and Ivan Prosvetov have put themselves on the map with stellar performances as of late. Paré has barely gone more than a few games without putting a point to his name and Prosvetov is undefeated in the Colorado Eagles uniform.

Heading into this match, the Henderson Silver Knights and the Eagles have squared off four times, with the Eagles tallying three wins.

Colorado added another win to their record and now stands 4–0–1–0 in their 2023-24 head-to-head total. They swept their last series against Henderson.

First period

The first three minutes of the game are where Paré thrives. In the last three games, he has netted four goals, with three being in the first few minutes of the match.

This game was no different. With help from Corey Schueneman and Jack Ahcan, Colorado snatched the lead early in the game and never looked back.

Even with the lead, the offensive attack never stopped. Tanner Kero and Callahan Burke were both dialed in and waiting to strike. They had four and five shots on the goal, respectively.

During the entire period, the Silver Knights only threw the puck at Prosvetov five times, whereas Colorado met goalie Jiri Patera 11 times.

The home team successfully killed two penalties in the first period, contributing to their overall penalty kill percentage of 84.5 percent.

Second period

Burke’s offensive efforts paid off less than two minutes into the second period, putting Colorado ahead by two goals.

Henderson still could not generate any momentum and once again fell short. They put up six shots on goal but spent most of the period chasing down the performing players on the Eagles.

By the middle of the period, Colorado had put 20 shots on net while the Silver Knights struggled to put up the seven they had gained.

Third period

The last frame was when the Eagles sealed the fate of Henderson. Patera simply could not keep up with the pressure of the home team, allowing two more goals in for the period.

Kero accounted for one of them, capitalizing on a feed from Riley Tufte.

“I think he’s playing his best hockey that he’s played for us all season long and it couldn’t come at a better time,” Schneekloth said. “He’s taken on a huge role in our penalty kill. We’ve done an outstanding job with that. And then, you know, getting tucked in with Smallman on his line… it’s a solid line that can not only provide and generate some offense, but they do a really good job against the other other teams top line and making sure that they have to work for ice time.”

Clearly, the team still had gas in the tank and Paré lit the lamp for the second time with just over four minutes to go.

“We’re playing with good guys and the team is scoring goals,” he said. “So I think it’s easy to get points. [I] don’t focus on it, it just started. Just be consistent and get involved in the game every night.”

Takeaways

Since the addition of Prosvetov, the team has been in a considerably better position. He is not only getting the development and playing time he needs but also benefitting the team and paving the way to a successful playoff run.

“He’s been outstanding for us,” Schneekloth said. “Not only making routine saves, but he’s making timely saves that are keeping the opposition at bay and not giving them life. He’s been great on the penalty kill and teams playing confidently in front of him.”

With only 23 regular season games left in the season, it’s time for Schneekloth to look at the standings. After securing a victory tonight, Colorado has tied with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes) for second place. Sitting ahead of them are the Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken).

The most crucial part of the rest of the season is getting the rest of the offense scoring consistently. Tufte has been in a scoring drought despite leading the team in goals for over half of the season. Jason Polin hasn’t lit the lamp since Jan. 30 against the Ontario Reign, and Ben Meyers hasn’t scored since Jan. 21 against the San Jose Barracuda.

If the team maintains their determination and commitment to succeed in the postseason, the Eagles are likely to secure victory along the way.

Aaron Schneekloth interview

 

Cedric Paré interrview

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/prosvetov-undefeated-after-shutout-against-the-silver-knights/feed/ 0 28646 Johansen helps Avalanche get back on track https://www.the-rink.com/johansen-helps-avalanche-get-back-on-track/ https://www.the-rink.com/johansen-helps-avalanche-get-back-on-track/#respond Wed, 21 Feb 2024 05:15:23 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28605 Since coming off a rough road trip, the Colorado Avalanche have been trying to recover and get back on track. Despite finding a 4–3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on... Read more »

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]]> Since coming off a rough road trip, the Colorado Avalanche have been trying to recover and get back on track.

Despite finding a 4–3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday, the team is still facing a slump. Cale Makar hasn’t netted a goal since the beginning of February against the New Jersey Devils.

Prior to the game, Colorado held onto the second place slot in the Central Division standings. The Dallas Stars claimed the top spot, four points ahead of the Avalanche.

Though the team wouldn’t move up in the standings, they would find a three-point buffer between the Winnipeg Jets and themselves.

First period

The Vancouver Canucks suffered a 10–7 loss against the Minnesota Wild yesterday, undoubtedly leaving the team tired.

Still, it didn’t matter. The Avalanche came out of the gate, attacking the net with everything they had. Even though the team looked sharp and engaged, it would be the Canucks who scored first and brought any momentum to a screeching halt.

J.T. Miller fired a routine shot at the net and got past Alexandar Georgiev just after the halfway mark. Thatcher Demko kept Colorado off the scorecard and held onto their lead into the second period.

Both teams left the period with seven shots on goal.

Second period

Once again, the home team came out of the gate explosive and engaged.

Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Devon Toews, and Makar all swarmed Demko, hoping at least one of them could break through his goaltending. While all tried to create an opening, it would be Ryan Johansen who would even the score only three minutes into the period.

Recently, Johansen has been struggling. His last goal was against the St. Louis Blues on December 29, 2023.

With the score tied at one, both teams would lock in a battle for the lead during the remaining 17 minutes of the period.

The Avalanche outshot their opponent by one for the period.

Third period

Maybe it was the newfound confidence after breaking a 20-game scoring drought, but Johansen once again found an opportunity to score and took it. His shot went over the shoulder of Demko, bringing Colorado ahead by one.

After taking the lead, the team seemed to hit their groove. Georgiev survived two attacks, making two different series of saves to keep the Avalanche afloat.

The Canucks desperately tried to regain control, yet fell short. Artturi Lehkonen sealed the deal with an empty net goal with only 40 seconds left. MacKinnon picked up the assist, marking a 27-game home point streak.

The team ultimately gains two points with a 3–1 victory at home and now trails the Dallas Stars by two points.

Takeaways

With the trade deadline getting closer and closer, the Avalanche have undoubtedly been looking at additions. To acquire a perfect fit for a Stanley Cup run, there has been a lot of discussion about who will make the final cut.

Prior to the return from a humiliating road trip, Johansen looked like he wouldn’t be in the running to make the final roster. After tonight’s performance, if the positive trend continues, the Avalanche might look for other ways to strengthen their roster.

The Avalanche will hit the road to Detroit on Thursday and face off against former teammate J.T. Compher.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/johansen-helps-avalanche-get-back-on-track/feed/ 0 28605 Colorado Eagles fall short during home stand https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-fall-short-during-home-stand/ https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-fall-short-during-home-stand/#respond Wed, 14 Feb 2024 06:24:15 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28526 LOVELAND, Colo. — Colorado Eagles have stepped up their game in the last few weeks. The team had been hovering around the sixth place slot and needed to push for more.... Read more »

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]]> LOVELAND, Colo. — Colorado Eagles have stepped up their game in the last few weeks. The team had been hovering around the sixth place slot and needed to push for more. In the last seven games, the Eagles have risen three places in the standings. To begin their home stand, they recently swept the Abbotsford Canucks on Feb. 9 and 10.

Trent Miner returned to the lineup in place of Ivan Prosvetov, who was recently reassigned to the Eagles. Against the Canucks, he stood undefeated at 2–0–0–0.

“I was expecting myself to be good,” Prosvetov said. “I have big expectations of myself, and I am a good goalie. I can make a difference in the game and it’s worth trying to do.”

Rolling into the Bakersfield Condors series, the Eagles lead 2–1–0–0 overall. Both teams are evenly matched, making it a battle by nature.

First period

Colorado started the period strong. The defense locked in, but the offense struggled to get started. Until they were rewarded with a power play, the Eagles had not recorded a shot on goal.

With half of the period already gone, both the Condors and Colorado struggle to get anything going. The first period concluded scoreless, and the home team outshot Bakersfield by one.

Second period

Bakersfield visited the penalty box only two minutes into the period. The Eagles had a power play percentage of 16.9 percent.

Only thirty seconds into the man advantage, Peter Holland lights the lamp and gives Colorado a one goal lead.

For ten minutes, it would hold. Bakersfield finds a top shelf opportunity and takes it, tying it up at one. Less than two minutes later, Miner makes a costly mistake. To poke the puck away from his goal, he left the crease. He missed giving Bakersfield the lead without earning it.

Again, Colorado outshot their opponent by one, yet were trailing after 40 minutes of play.

Third period

The Eagles continued to battle for a goal to neutralize the score, yet fell short every time. They were close on several occasions, but couldn’t find a way past Condor goaltender Olivier Rodrigue.

Just under halfway through the period, Bakersfield found an opportunity for a breakaway. Brad Hunt chased him down but took an interference penalty in exchange. The Eagles penalty kill units successfully contained their opponent.

The Eagles are seventh in the league when defending their net at a disadvantage. But their offense still struggled to find their groove.

Despite putting a tremendous effort forward, Colorado came up short 2–1 and outshot their opponent 12–7 in the last frame.

Tomorrow, they will face off again against the Condors at 7:05 p.m.

Takeaways

—At the beginning of the season, the Eagles struggled to get their offense going at all. Now, it seems the team can only find success on a power play. Without being able to fire on all cylinders, it is difficult to win games without some struggle during play.

Head coach Aaron Schneekloth had commented on this trend, stating it was a work in progress.

“You know, we’ve talked about it all year,” he said. “It’s a work in progress. You’re trying to create some chemistry and some feel out there and the addition of some certain players in certain situations. You got some urgency and some opportunities where we’re burned out earlier in the season. They weren’t finding the net and some opportunities in some situations and now they are. The guys are working hard in practice, and they’re prepared for what they’re going to face from the opponent and our execution level has been extremely high in the last month and a half.”

—There has been a lot of rotation in the top scorers for the Eagles. Riley Tufte used to dominate the category, but he hasn’t found the back of the net since Jan. 21 against the San Jose Barracuda. Right behind him is Hunt, who has tied Tufte at 12 goals. Quickly rising in the top three scorers is Cedric Paré, who has eight goals and last scored on Feb. 2 against the Ontario Reign.

—With both teams exercising their goalie tandem, it is possible there will be a faceoff between Prosvetov and Jack Campbell. Campbell has 18 games with the Condors, sporting a 10–8–0–1 record. Prosvetov would suit up for his third game in a Colorado uniform. With both of their playing levels in mind, it is expected that tomorrow’s game will be a goalie battle.

Interview with Coach Aaron Schneekloth

Interview with goalie Ivan Prosvetov

 

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-fall-short-during-home-stand/feed/ 0 28526 Eagles sweep Abbotsford, carry positive trend forward https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-sweep-abbotsford-carry-positive-trend-forward/ https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-sweep-abbotsford-carry-positive-trend-forward/#respond Sun, 11 Feb 2024 05:30:32 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28500 The Colorado Eagles found their stride at just the right time. Despite snapping a winning streak while on the road in San Diego, the team jumped back to their feet... Read more »

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]]> The Colorado Eagles found their stride at just the right time. Despite snapping a winning streak while on the road in San Diego, the team jumped back to their feet and carried the positive trend forward.

The lineup settled into a home stand last night, dropping the Abbotsford Canucks 3–1. Ivan Prosvetov got comfortable in the net for his Eagles debut last night. He found himself in the crease for the second game in the series.

First period

Colorado showed aggression from the start, swarming the Canucks’ net and throwing anything at it.

Jack Ahcan got caught up with an Abbotsford player and headed to the box for tripping at the 4:31 mark. The Eagles sport the sixth most effective penalty kill in the league at 84.3% and had no problem shutting down their opponent.

Tanner Kero put the Eagles on the board just over 10 minutes into the frame by netting his sixth goal in the season. The goal is his second goal in back-to-back games. Ryan Sandelin tallied his third assist of the season, while Cedric Pare contributed with the secondary assist, bringing his total to 15 for the year.

Second period

Even though Colorado had a successful first period, there were costly mistakes in the middle frame.

In the second period alone, the Eagles committed eight penalties, for a grand total of 19 minutes. Three belonged to Chris Wagner and two to Keaton Middleton.

Two of the team’s infractions were within twenty seconds of each other, placing the team on a dangerous 5-on-3 situation.

Canucks player Vasily Podkolzin took advantage of the situation and leveled the score at one. For the first sixteen minutes of the period, it looked like Abbotsford simply outplayed the home team in the second period.

But the tides would turn in 18 seconds. D.J. Busdeker finds the back of the net for the third time for the season and the first since November. Tanner Kero picked up his second point of the game with the assist.

On the next shot, Ryan Sandelin picks up his own goal. With it comes assists for Riley Tufte and Ivan Ivan.

Faced with a dramatic and aggressive period, Colorado fights off 14 of the 15 shots from the Canucks. The Eagles put up 10 of their own, being rewarded on two.

Third period

On the heels of an unbelievably passionate period, Abbotsford gives the Eagles a power play five minutes into the frame.

Despite more pushing and shoving in the period, the only additional penalty assigned was a call on the Canucks for too many men on the ice.

With a mere one second on the clock, the Canucks add one more goal to their scorecard. Abbotsford collected 14 shots to Colorado’s 11 in the final 20 minutes. The Canucks had 40 total attempts, seven more than the Eagles.

Colorado secures a 3–2 victory, bringing their total points to 53.

The Eagles will continue their home stand against the Bakersfield Condors on Feb. 13 and 14. In their last series against the Condors, Colorado walked away 1–1.

Analysis

— Compared to the way the season started, Colorado has improved significantly. While the team was winning games, the performances were spotty at best and lacking consistency. Their recently broken six game winning streak proves something clicked on the ice.

— While it may not have been apparent in this game, the Eagles have had a serious problem with penalties. Clocking 19 minutes’ worth of penalties in the middle frame could have been disastrous. The strength of Prosvetov in the net may have made the difference.

— Colorado continues to climb in the standings and tonight’s win puts them in the third-place spot. With just about half of the season left, the Eagles have a very good chance of improving even more.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-sweep-abbotsford-carry-positive-trend-forward/feed/ 0 28500 Eagles rise in rankings, add to goalie tandem https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-rise-in-rankings-add-to-goalie-tandem/ https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-rise-in-rankings-add-to-goalie-tandem/#respond Sat, 10 Feb 2024 05:06:43 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28485 The Colorado Eagles picked up eight of 10 points on their road trip, rise to fifth place in the Pacific Division. Before the contest, the team was a mere two... Read more »

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]]> The Colorado Eagles picked up eight of 10 points on their road trip, rise to fifth place in the Pacific Division.

Before the contest, the team was a mere two points behind the fourth-place Abbotsford Canucks, who the Eagles hosted in Loveland tonight. A win would guarantee a move up, while a loss would leave them only one point ahead of the Ontario Reign, who they beat on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3.

First period

After being sent down to the Eagles on Sunday, Ivan Prosvetov made his debut in the net. However, it wasn’t his appearance that brought energy to the team early in the game.

Keaton Middleton and Abbotsford’s Jermaine Loewen drop the gloves, and both earn five minutes in the box for fighting.

The Eagles received their first power play for tripping, though could not convert. With both teams holding strong and displaying incredible energy, the first period ended scoreless and tied up in shots on goal.

Second period

The Eagles dominated the second period, and the score book proves it. Two minutes into the period, Chris Wagner netted a goal to put the team on the board. Brad Hunt and Corey Schueneman both picked up assists.

Carrying a one goal lead, the Eagles continued to display energy and determination. Prosvetov found his time to shine and had several incredible saves to keep Colorado ahead of the Canucks.

Abbotsford put up several good attempts, though the Eagles netminder held strong and kept them off the scoreboard.

Tanner Kero cashed in on a power play with two minutes remaining in the period, increasing the margin to two. Cedric Pare and Jack Ahcan both added a point to their assist column.

The roster outshot the Canucks 12-9 for the period and ended the frame securely in the lead.

Third period

Abbotsford interrupted Colorado’s momentum at the 1:45 mark in the third period. Canucks player Chase Wouters found a way past Prosvetov and brought his team back into the game.

Despite this, Colorado held onto its lead and closed in on the victory. Spencer Smallman sealed the deal with just over two minutes to go. Pare, who picked up his second helper of the night, assisted his goal.

The Eagles closed out the night with a 3–1 victory and secured the fourth place slot in the division. They will face Abbotsford again tomorrow, Feb. 9 at 7:05 p.m.

Analysis

­— Receiving Prosvetov from the Avalanche is a huge addition to the roster. He will complement Trent Miner and add to a solid goalie lineup going into the second half of the season.

— It is clear the injury bug has worked its way through the team. Jean-Luc Foudy and Ben Meyers are both notable absences. Oskar Olausson becuase of an upper-body injury and Ondrej Pavel missed the game because of illness both are listed as day to day.

— Unsurprisingly, Colorado’s penalty kill was difficult to beat. The team fended off all four of the Canucks’ power play opportunities.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-rise-in-rankings-add-to-goalie-tandem/feed/ 0 28485 Eagles triumph in shootout, extend win streak to four games https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-triumph-in-shootout-extend-win-streak-to-four-games/ https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-triumph-in-shootout-extend-win-streak-to-four-games/#respond Sun, 28 Jan 2024 06:41:05 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28376 On Friday night, the Colorado Eagles returned to full strength and walked away with a 3–2 overtime goal, courtesy of Oskar Olausson. The victory extended the Eagles’ win streak to... Read more »

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]]> On Friday night, the Colorado Eagles returned to full strength and walked away with a 3–2 overtime goal, courtesy of Oskar Olausson. The victory extended the Eagles’ win streak to three.

Tonight, the Eagles could secure their seat in the standings after passing the Henderson Silver Knights with last night’s victory.

First period

Last night, the only goals the Eagles scored during regulation were in the first period. Colorado was constantly buzzing around the cage, taking any chance they could get.

Tonight, it was slow going. The lineup could not put any shots on the goal for the first five minutes.

The Silver Knights also stayed off the scoreboard, but only because the posts were playing into Colorado’s favor.

Henderson outshot the Eagles 12–11, and the game remained scoreless.

Second period

Cedric Paré jumped on the puck early. Only 24 seconds after the start of the period, he beat goalie Isaiah Saville and gave the team a one-goal lead.

64 seconds later, that lead was gone. With Keaton Middleton in the box for hooking, Silver Knight Adam Cracknell closed the margin.

The Eagles would not find success until their own power play, where Cal Burke scored his eighth goal of the season. Brad Hunt and Sam Malinski both picked up an assist.

At the 17-minute mark, Henderson would once again equalize the game, resulting in a 2–2 tie at the end of the period.

The Eagles outshot the Silver Knights 17–5, while still allowing two goals for the period.

Third period

After putting their best foot forward during the second period, the third period was looking promising.

Henderson was unable to put the puck near the net until the 4:40 mark, while the Eagles had already put up six. Ivan Ivan finds luck at the 5:24 mark, bringing the score to 3–2. The assist was credited to Burke, giving him his second point of the evening.

For ten minutes, Colorado held on to their lead. Silver Knight Dyson Mayo found an opening unassisted, bringing the score to a tie once again.

The Eagles once again outshot their opponent, bringing the final tally to 16–6 before heading to overtime.

Overtime and shootout

In overtime, the Eagles kept control of the puck for most of the time. While only putting up three shots, the team was always on the offensive end of the ice but seemed to want to wait for the perfect opportunity instead of taking any shot possible.

Eventually, overtime wasn’t enough, and the two lineups moved to a shootout.

Henderson missed their first shot wide of the net. Ivan Ivan skated first for Colorado, but was batted away by Saville. Justus Annunen allowed the Silver Knights to score with their second skater, but Oskar Olausson kept the team in the game.

Down to the wire, Annunen fended off the final skater, allowing Burke to drive home the final goal. The Eagles picked up all four possible points and sit securely in sixth place. They are two points behind the Abbotsford Canucks.

Analysis

The games against the Silver Knights have shown grit and determination. With much of the roster back, chemistry will need time to balance. Given how much pressure Colorado applied, it is a good time for all the pieces to come together.

Jean-Luc Foudy is on a two-game point streak after an assist in last night’s matchup and adding another in tonight’s. Burke is on a two-goal streak since his return to the lineup and has three points in the last two games.

Going forward, the Eagles must kick things into high gear. Though now on a four-game win streak, it is imperative they keep the trend going.

The team will hit the road on Tuesday, Jan. 30 against the Ontario Reign. Last matchup, Colorado fell 4–3 in a shootout.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-triumph-in-shootout-extend-win-streak-to-four-games/feed/ 0 28376 Olausson’s overtime winner boosts Eagles https://www.the-rink.com/olaussons-overtime-winner-boosts-eagles/ https://www.the-rink.com/olaussons-overtime-winner-boosts-eagles/#respond Sat, 27 Jan 2024 07:04:53 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28366 Friday’s contest against the Henderson Silver Knights welcomed back many of the missing pieces this season. Whether it be injury, personal leave, or recalls to the Colorado Avalanche, the Colorado... Read more »

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]]> Friday’s contest against the Henderson Silver Knights welcomed back many of the missing pieces this season. Whether it be injury, personal leave, or recalls to the Colorado Avalanche, the Colorado Eagles have frequently been missing part of their roster.

The Silver Knights lead the Eagles in the standings by a mere one point. A victory boosts Colorado to sixth place in the Pacific Division.

Ahead of the game, Jean-Luc Foudy and Chris Wagner had been alternating games so they were both able to ease back into things after both suffering injuries. Cal Burke returned from bereavement leave, and Sam Malinski is expected to take the ice tomorrow after being reassigned by the Avalanche.

First period

Both teams were keeping up with each other for the first five minutes of the frame. The Eagles trailed in shots 4–3 before drawing a penalty.

Oskar Olausson wasted no time, finding the back of the net only 18 seconds into the power play. Brad Hunt and Foudy provided the assist, with Foudy earning his first point of the season.

Only four minutes later, Burke would increase the lead to two, helped by Jason Polin and Ivan Ivan. The goal would mark his seventh of the season.

Goalie Justus Annunen shut down all eight of Henderson’s attempts, helped by a locked in defensive squad.

Second period

The Silver Knights controlled the puck for much of the second period, outshooting the Eagles 14–­12. When presented with a power play opportunity, it didn’t come as a surprise when the team’s hard work was rewarded. At the six-minute mark, Henderson narrowed the gap between the two teams to just one goal.

Colorado seemed to spend most of the period playing catch-up, trying to earn back the margin. Colorado’s effort of throwing shots on the net didn’t result in any goals, forcing the team to work harder in the last frame.

Over the last several games, Matthew Stienburg has found himself at the center of a lot of scuffles. Tonight, he dropped his gloves and went toe-to-toe with Henderson’s Daniel D’Amato. They both earned a five-minute fighting penalty with a mere seven seconds to go in the period.

Third period

With momentum going in the right direction, the Silver Knights seemed to put more effort into their performance than before.

Three minutes into the last frame, Adam Cracknell scored his second goal of the game to tie it at two.

The remaining 17 minutes was a battle, yet neither team could add a goal to the board in regulation, and the game went to overtime.

Apparently, all Olausson needed was an additional 29 seconds. He scored his second goal of the game as an overtime winner, his second in three games.

The team ultimately won 3–2 and walked away with two points and moved to the sixth place slot in the division.

Takeaways

The return of so many players, including Foudy, Burke, and the expected arrival of Malinski in tomorrow’s game, has clearly affected the Eagles. With the team now at full strength just past the halfway point of the season, they are expected to improve their standing before playoffs.

Last time the Eagles squared up with Henderson, they went 1–1–0, so it is safe to say tomorrow’s game won’t be an easy win. The puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/olaussons-overtime-winner-boosts-eagles/feed/ 0 28366 Condors triumph as Eagles struggle to find the net in third period https://www.the-rink.com/condors-triumph-as-eagles-struggle-to-find-the-net-in-third-period/ https://www.the-rink.com/condors-triumph-as-eagles-struggle-to-find-the-net-in-third-period/#respond Thu, 18 Jan 2024 06:43:39 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28294 LOVELAND, Colo. — Last night’s appearance against the Condors set the stage for the team to celebrate more successes in the last game of the series. While still difficult to... Read more »

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]]> LOVELAND, Colo. — Last night’s appearance against the Condors set the stage for the team to celebrate more successes in the last game of the series. While still difficult to find the net in excess, confidence from the victory could certainly play a role.

Brad Hunt and Riley Tufte both scored their first goals in 2024, and it seemed to open up a world of opportunity for the rest of the team. Though ultimately dropping the game 4–2 and splitting the series, several Eagles players revived their goal production.

First period

The game was expected to be intense, and the obvious emotion was seen only two minutes into the game.

Dalton Smith and Condors player Ben Gleason were both given five minutes for fighting after Smith sent him into the boards, giving the Condors an early power play. Last night, Bakersfield failed to convert on any of the extra man opportunities, and that problem continued.

After being sent to the box for tripping, Cedric Paré assisted the Eagles’ first goal upon his release. Tanner Kero scored his fourth goal of the season with Paré’s help, and Ondrej Pavel was credited with the secondary assist. Kero’s goal is his first since Dec. 16 against the Ontario Reign.

The lead was short-lived as the Condors flew down the rink and scored their own goal only nineteen seconds after Colorado.

The Eagles didn’t need to worry for long. At the seventeen-minute mark, Spencer Smallman caught a rebound from Chris Wagner and scored while sliding on his back. His last goal was netted on Dec. 30 against the Iowa Wild.

Second period

When leading after the first period, the Eagles were undefeated.

Colorado had only found itself in the box one time for interference, which was a tremendous improvement from the first period. Over halfway through the second frame, the lead appeared to hold. The Eagles set the stage to dominate the game, but the Condors were determined not to let that happen.

At the 13 minute mark, the Condors took the lead for the first time. The Eagles needed to bounce back if they were going to stay in the game. Once trailing after the second frame, the team was 0-11-0-0.

Even when gifted a late power play in the second period, the lineup could not convert and ended the period trailing by one.

Third period

Once Bakersfield took the lead, there was no looking back. Though the Eagles tried to push through to the end and generate a goal, they couldn’t find a way to get there.

While the game was still close, Miner was called off the ice in favor of an extra attacker. With only 48 seconds remaining on the clock, the Condors took advantage of an open net and brought the final score to 4–2.

Colorado could only take eight shots in the final frame but outshot its opponent 34–23.

Takeaways

Colorado frequently seems to have trouble staying out of the box. On several occasions, the team has held the lead until they are repeatedly spending time on the penalty kill. It’s hard to score goals when shorthanded!

In this series, the team struggled to find the back of the net late in the game. How vital it is to offensively attack an opponent goes without saying, but when coupled with the penalties, it is a recipe for disaster.

A contributor to some struggles the team is experiencing is the roster changes because of call-ups, reassignments, and injuries. Sam Malinski and Jason Polin have both spent significant time with the Colorado Avalanche, leaving holes in the lineup and forcing lines to be adjusted. Wyatt Aamodt suffered an upper-body injury last night, forcing Josh Wesley to be recalled from the Utah Grizzlies.

The Eagles will continue their home stand on Saturday, Jan. 20 against the San Jose Barracuda.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/condors-triumph-as-eagles-struggle-to-find-the-net-in-third-period/feed/ 0 28294 Tufte and Hunt end their scoring drought against Condors https://www.the-rink.com/tufte-and-hunt-end-their-scoring-drought-against-condors/ https://www.the-rink.com/tufte-and-hunt-end-their-scoring-drought-against-condors/#respond Wed, 17 Jan 2024 06:33:23 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28282 LOVELAND, Colo. — For the Colorado Eagles, it has been tough to find the back of the net. Since Dec. 28 against the Iowa Wild, Riley Tufte has been shut... Read more »

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]]> LOVELAND, Colo. — For the Colorado Eagles, it has been tough to find the back of the net. Since Dec. 28 against the Iowa Wild, Riley Tufte has been shut out.

The Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak with an overtime winner on Jan. 13, but the slump the team was in was at risk of picking back up against the Bakersfield Condors on Tuesday, especially with so many of the regular roster playing with the Colorado Avalanche.

First period

The Eagles started the game hot by throwing shots on the net and were rewarded with an early goal from defenseman Brad Hunt. The goal came as no surprise since he had been spending a lot of time in the offensive zone and putting the puck near the net, and the power play was the perfect opportunity to score.

Hunt said his goal was not only a result of his own efforts on the net, but he could score because of Tufte’s position in the slot.

Just a few minutes later, Tufte added to the lead and scored his first goal of 2024. The two goals were scored before the Condors had even had an opportunity on the net.

Though, 14 minutes has a lot of potential for either team to take advantage of mistakes. Just past the 18-minute mark, the Condors narrowed the margin to one goal.

Second period

Colorado maintained its lead through the middle frame. The team outshot Bakersfield 10 to nine, though neither team could net a goal.

At the end of the period, Spencer Smallman and Bakersfield’s Dino Kambeitz were both issued five minutes for fighting, leaving both teams shorthanded to begin the last frame.

Third period

After a scoreless second frame, the Eagles were sitting in a good spot. But the team would need to keep up the tight defense if they wanted to secure the first win of the two-game series and goaltender Trent Miner would need to stay strong in the net.

The team ultimately walked away with a 2–1 victory despite only outshooting their opponent in one out of the three frames.

In the end, it is no surprise. Colorado had a 7–0–0 record when leading after the first period, and they have now added one more victory to that statistic.

With the playoffs on the horizon, there is still time to adjust and get into the mindset of a possible post-season appearance. Even in the face of adversity, Hunt knows where the team needs to be at the end of the season.

“I think we can learn from the past, but not focus on it,” he said. “We need to look to the future and take it game by game.”

Takeaways

The Colorado Avalanche recalled goalie Justus Annunen for their road trip, giving space for Miner between the pipes against the Condors. He successfully fended off 30 out of 31 shots and has proved himself to be a reliable goaltender.

Colorado converted on their only power play, contributing to their season power play percentage of 15.5%. Taking advantage of the power play early into the game set the team up for a successful showing.

Top scorers Hunt and Tufte broke their scoring drought, but Jack Ahcan hasn’t seen success since Nov. 25 against the Texas Stars, where he collected two goals. Without three of the top five scorers producing goals, it is easy to see why the lineup had a hard time finding a victory.

The Eagles will face off against the Condors again Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 7:05 p.m.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/tufte-and-hunt-end-their-scoring-drought-against-condors/feed/ 0 28282 Avalanche seal victory in nail-biting match against Bruins https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-seal-victory-in-nail-biting-match-against-bruins/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-seal-victory-in-nail-biting-match-against-bruins/#respond Tue, 09 Jan 2024 06:29:15 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28167 The last time the Colorado Avalanche played the Boston Bruins on home ice, the team comprised a sizable chunk of the Colorado Eagles roster. Though still missing several key players,... Read more »

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]]> The last time the Colorado Avalanche played the Boston Bruins on home ice, the team comprised a sizable chunk of the Colorado Eagles roster.

Though still missing several key players, fresh additions to the roster and a determination to secure a victory prevailed. Throughout the game, the team consistently improved its metrics, and their effort was reflected in the 4–3 nail-biter final score.

First period

After an 8–4 loss against the Florida Panthers on Saturday, the Avalanche needed to make sure they didn’t allow their opponent to pull ahead early.

The Bruins took advantage of their first power play opportunity 11 minutes into the period and put a goal on the board. Historically, the Avalanche have had a problem with allowing consecutive unanswered goals.

Five minutes later, Mikko Rantanen put his own power play goal on the board. Nathan MacKinnon’s assist lengthened his home point streak to 22 games. Cale Makar was credited with the secondary assist.

Colorado spent a considerable amount of time in the offensive zone, putting up 13 shots to Boston’s five.

Second period

The offensive attack was not just in the first period. Entering the second frame with a tie meant the team would have to continue to apply pressure around the goal.

Logan O’Connor did exactly that. He took the puck away from the Bruins and dumped the puck into the back of the net unassisted.

Now with the lead, the Avalanche were going to have to keep it. For eight minutes, they did.

Tied at two with only a few minutes left in the period, Sam Malinski came through and scored his second goal of the season to put Colorado back in the lead.

The Bruins caught up to the Avalanche in shots for the period, only trailing by one.

Third period, overtime, and the shootout

The last frame was both uneventful and problematic. Both teams are incredibly well matched, and Boston’s Brad Marchand’s second goal of the game would be the last goal scored in regulation.

Both teams desperately tried to score during the following 14 minutes of the third period. At the regulation buzzer, Colorado had a 12–8 shot advantage.

Alexandar Georgiev held the net down in overtime, saving all four of the Bruins’ shots when the Avalanche could only put up one of their own.

At the end of the overtime period, the pressure was at an all-time high. Georgiev saved all three shots from Boston, but the attempts from MacKinnon and Rantanen were unsuccessful. Finally, Valeri Nichushkin found the back of the net and secured the win for the Avalanche.

Takeaways

The most noticeable change on the ice has been the performance of Samuel Girard. After his return to the team from the NHLPA program, he has been more aggressive, both defensively and offensively. He has been putting up more shots, keeping up with and taking away opportunities from opponents, and he is a large reason for the success since his return.

Colorado really excelled in takeaways. The team had 17 takeaways, one of the most important being with O’Connor’s goal in the second frame. In their last game against the Panthers, they had seven takeaways, coupled with five giveaways.

Finally, a huge source of accomplishment is the number of hits the Avalanche applied. The team put up 20 hits, far outshining the nine from the Bruins. With this aggression and physicality, it allows the team to break up plays and stop potential threats.

The Avalanche will face off against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-seal-victory-in-nail-biting-match-against-bruins/feed/ 0 28167 Annunen holds team afloat in overtime loss https://www.the-rink.com/annunen-holds-team-afloat-in-overtime-loss/ https://www.the-rink.com/annunen-holds-team-afloat-in-overtime-loss/#respond Sat, 06 Jan 2024 04:50:44 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28132 For the Colorado Eagles, the last few weeks have been showing promise. Beginning the year with a handful of injuries and only adding to the list as the season went... Read more »

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]]> For the Colorado Eagles, the last few weeks have been showing promise. Beginning the year with a handful of injuries and only adding to the list as the season went on, the first game of the series against the Milwaukee Admirals welcomed back some key players.

Justus Annunen took the ice against the Calgary Wranglers on Dec. 23 after a five-week injury, and Nate Clurman took the ice in tonight’s contest after a four-game absence with a cut from a skate.

Their returns to the ice were noticeable, and a stronger roster contributed to the single point from the overtime 1–0 loss.

First period

When the game started, it didn’t originally seem like it would be a battle of the goalies. Both teams were fast and aggressive, but it was clear the Eagles were thriving in the offensive zone. For the first 13 minutes of play, the Admirals didn’t fire a single shot.

Colorado put up 15 shots for the period. Riley Tufte and Alex Beaucage contributed two and three shots, respectively.

Second period

By the second frame, the game became more competitive. Not only did Milwaukee take more shots, but the Eagles were also allowed to take less.

Even with a two-minute power play favoring Colorado, the team couldn’t find the back of the net, despite several close calls.

Third period

With only 20 minutes to go, the pressure was on. Similar to the second period, there was less and less room for error.

At the three-minute mark, the Milwaukee almost had its opportunity. The Eagles received a penalty for having too many men on the ice, and the Admirals almost capitalized.

Thanks to key saves from Annunen, the game remained scoreless. The Eagles only took five shots compared to four from the Admirals.

Overtime

Callahan Burke fired the Eagles’ only shot in overtime, and it took nearly thirty seconds to put up.

Facing only two shots in overtime, Annunen gave up the only goal of the game only one minute into overtime.

The two teams will face off again tomorrow at 5 p.m.

Analysis

Even though the Eagles dropped the game, there is still plenty of good news.

Annunen has found his stride after his injury and frequently keeps the team afloat. He came up with 20 of 21 saves for the night and played two clean games against the Iowa Wild on Dec. 28 and Dec. 30.

Jean-Luc Foudy has been a huge topic of conversation this season. Nearly three months into the regular season, he has yet to play a game. However, he traveled with the team on the trip to Milwaukee, which is his first time doing so this season.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/annunen-holds-team-afloat-in-overtime-loss/feed/ 0 28132 Drouin has a two-goal heroic night https://www.the-rink.com/drouin-has-a-two-goal-heroic-night/ https://www.the-rink.com/drouin-has-a-two-goal-heroic-night/#respond Fri, 05 Jan 2024 05:02:56 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28117 When the Colorado Avalanche last faced the Dallas Stars, they walked away with a 6–3 victory. Better yet, they scored all their goals unanswered. Meeting for the second time during... Read more »

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]]> When the Colorado Avalanche last faced the Dallas Stars, they walked away with a 6–3 victory. Better yet, they scored all their goals unanswered.

Meeting for the second time during the regular season, the Stars learned from their mistakes and made the Avalanche work for a victory with even more on the line.

With a victory, the Avalanche would widen their point margin and strengthen their first-place seat. With a loss, Winnipeg could easily steal the top spot and Dallas would improve to an uncomfortably close record, trailing the Avalanche by one point.

First period

Right out of the gate, it was clear it would be a good game. Neither team could find an opening for their first goal.

Eventually, the Stars put up the first goal on an unlucky bounce near Colorado’s net.

But letting Dallas run away with the game was simply not in the cards. Nathan MacKinnon found the back of the net. Miles Wood earned his first point of the night with the assist, and Jack Johnson received the secondary.

Colorado outshot Dallas 12–9 after the first frame.

Second period

Though entering the second period on a level field, it wouldn’t take long for the favor to tip in Dallas’ favor. Not two minutes into the period, the Stars found their second opportunity and took the lead once again.

Seven minutes of aggressive play yields nothing until Jack Johnson is sent to the box for a high sticking penalty, awarding the Stars a four-minute advantage. They quickly converted and widened the margin to two.

With every passing minute, the game was looking more and more concerning for the Avalanche. Despite having several excellent opportunities, they were coming up empty-handed and down by two.

Jonathan Drouin made his first heroic goal of the night to bring the Avalanche within one with only 12 seconds remaining on the clock. MacKinnon picked up his second point of the night on the secondary assist.

Third period

By the time the third period came around, both teams were applying constant pressure in the offensive zone. Dallas was rewarded first, reclaiming the two-goal margin.

A whole 38 seconds later, Drouin finds his superhero cape once again and fires his own into the net.

With the Stars’ pressure, the Avalanche had to level the game. After pulling Alexandar Georgiev out of the net, the extra offensive power paid off. Mikko Rantanen forced the puck into the net with just over a minute to go.

Overtime

The Avalanche don’t go to overtime often, and they lose in overtime even less.

Eager to pad the teams’ standings with another win was MacKinnon, who scored his third point of the night. Assisted by Devon Toews, the Avalanche closed out the game with a 5–4 win.

Takeaways

With tonight’s win in the books, Colorado stays first in the division. They move up to first in the conference and second in the league.

As of late, the offensive lineup has been showing true grit. After the humiliating loss to the Coyotes, it seems there is even more of a reason to never assume the game is going to go one way or the other.

In the last ten games, Drouin has made quite the name for himself. He has eleven total points: five goals and six assists.

The Avalanche will take on the Florida Panthers on Saturday, Dec. 2.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/drouin-has-a-two-goal-heroic-night/feed/ 0 28117 Colorado Eagles find victory on the road after holiday break https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-find-victory-on-the-road-after-holiday-break/ https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-find-victory-on-the-road-after-holiday-break/#respond Fri, 29 Dec 2023 03:24:44 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28058 The Eagles have performed well on the road. Struggling to find a victory on home ice against the Calgary Wranglers on Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, the game against the... Read more »

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]]> The Eagles have performed well on the road. Struggling to find a victory on home ice against the Calgary Wranglers on Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, the game against the Iowa Wild was the perfect stage for redemption.

A refreshed approach from the holiday break was a needed change for the roster. Colorado had their fair share of struggles carried forward from their home stand, but plenty of adjustments contributed to a successful showing.

With a 4–2 victory over the Iowa Wild, the Eagles got back on the right track.

First period

Though originally off to a slow start, Colorado jumped on the board early when Riley Tufte used a rebound to tilt the scoreboard in their favor at the 8:25 mark.

However, a win wouldn’t come easy and the Wild put up their own goal and tied it up at one.

15 minutes into the game, Callahan Burke took a hard hit. He was slow to get up and went down the tunnel, and Tufte jumped to his defense. Rather than a penalty being assigned to the Wild, Colorado was put on the penalty kill for a roughing penalty.

It wasn’t long before a second goal was on the board, and it wasn’t favoring the Eagles. An unsuccessful penalty kill left the Eagles at a one-point disadvantage going into the second frame.

Second period

The Eagles came back onto the ice, appearing sluggish. Throughout the season, it is not uncommon for Colorado to have trouble bouncing back after setbacks.

Ondrej Pavel’s successful penalty shot to tie the game at two marked the turning point. From that point on, there was a completely different team on the ice. The aggression picked up, offensive pressure increased, and there were results.

Though the efforts didn’t result in a goal, the numbers showed a favor towards the Eagles. During the second period alone, Colorado outshot the Wild 13 to seven.

Going forward, it was clear penalties needed to be cut down and the effort level needed to stay the same.

Third period

The Eagles accomplished exactly that. Without recording a single penalty and with the same energy in the scoring zone, the Eagles accomplished exactly that, finally being rewarded for their efforts.

Burke broke through first, tallying his fourth goal of the season. Tufte picked up the assist, marking his second point of the night. Now in the lead, the team showed confidence and grit to secure the win.

But for Ivan Ivan, a one goal lead simply was not enough. He added his own goal to the board with help from Jack Ahcan, sealing the fate of the Wild on their home ice. The Eagles dominated Iowa in the last period, putting up 15 shots on goal, 11 more than their opponent.

Takeaways

Justus Annunen picked up his eighth win of the season. Taking some time off because of injuries showed in the home series against the Calgary Wranglers, but this victory shows he is just as solid in the net as he was before the break. He fended off 17 of 19 attempts.

The team’s commitment to play is evident in the score. The victory and attempts on the goal are a breath of fresh air from their back-to-back losses against the Wranglers.

The one notable area for improvement is penalties. The roster collected five penalties, one of which resulted in a goal. Allowing teams an advantage can cost a game, which is not the first time the Eagles have found a defeat.

The two teams will face each other again on Saturday, Dec. 30.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-find-victory-on-the-road-after-holiday-break/feed/ 0 28058 Avalanche fumble in overtime loss https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fumble-in-overtime-loss/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fumble-in-overtime-loss/#respond Thu, 28 Dec 2023 05:30:20 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28049 While some teams return from a break sleepy, the Colorado Avalanche had no trouble keeping their momentum going against the Arizona Coyotes, or so it seemed. This is the third... Read more »

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]]> While some teams return from a break sleepy, the Colorado Avalanche had no trouble keeping their momentum going against the Arizona Coyotes, or so it seemed.

This is the third matchup between the two teams this season, the most recent being just before the holiday hiatus on Dec. 23, where they secured a 4–1 victory.

This time around, Colorado came ready to play and looking to secure its third straight win, but five unanswered goals did not go unpunished. Ultimately, the team fumbled the first of a two-game road trip with a 5–4 overtime loss.

First period

Right off the bat, Josh Manson and Arizona’s Jason Zucker were both awarded two-minute penalties for roughing. Neither team could score, and they spent the next 15 minutes engaged in a goalie battle.

Until Zucker was sent to the box for slashing Ross Colton, it did not appear either team could overcome the defensive block. Mikko Rantanen broke the stalemate on the power play, putting the Avalanche ahead by one. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar assisted the goal and MacKinnon’s contribution extended his point streak to 19.

Second period

A source of criticism is Colorado’s performance during the second period. An inability to put the puck in the net coupled with allowing an opponent to close the goal margin has been a large contributor to many of the losses this season.

In the last meeting between the Coyotes and the Avalanche, Colorado worked through this setback and scored the only goals of the period, marking their fourth unanswered goal of the game.

Like déjà vu, the Avalanche had a suspiciously mirrored performance on Wednesday. Jonathan Drouin found the back of the net only a minute into the second frame, assisted by Colton and Devon Toews.

Six minutes later, Logan O’Connor added to the action with passes from Manson and Bowen Byram.

Makar drew a tripping penalty, placing the Avalanche on a power play. A few seconds later, he drew a second tripping penalty to send Colorado to a 5-on-3 advantage. MacKinnon found an opening and netted a goal, marking his, Rantanen’s and Makar’s second points of the game.

After allowing four unanswered goals, the Coyotes put a goal on the board, narrowing the margin to three, though the Avalanche dominated the second period with 12 shots on goal.

Third period

With a lead securely in place, the Avalanche were sitting comfortably going into the final 20 minutes of regulation.

But sports have a way of never being easy. Almost four minutes into the period, the lead narrowed to two. Three minutes later, the Coyotes found another opening and were only one goal behind.

Arizona spent much of the period hovering around Alexandar Georgiev and the Avalanche struggled to make their way to the offensive zone. To force a tied game, Arizona emptied its net in favor of the extra attacker.

A mere two minutes to the end of the game was enough to get the job done. A fourth unanswered goal from the Coyotes forced extra time.

Overtime

The Avalanche wanted to put this game away. Living in the offensive zone, things looked promising.

But Colorado could not maintain the momentum they started with, and after Georgiev made a series of phenomenal saves, the constant offensive pressure rewarded the home team with a 5–4 overtime win.

Takeaways

Five unanswered goals are only considered normal when the Avalanche are scoring them. Both the offensive and defensive units completely unraveled in the third period, and it showed. Whether it was lack of communication or simple complacency, the team simply could not close out and fumbled in overtime.

Even though Colorado ultimately dropped the game, there were several good things happening on the ice.

Georgiev bailed the Avalanche out of several dangerous situations, especially the pressure during overtime. His recent performance resembles the goalie Avalanche fans were used to seeing throughout last season. With some confidence being built back up, he should find his feet again.

It is worth noting the effectiveness of the power play. The performance is wildly different from the beginning of the season. The Avalanche used to struggle to convert with the advantage, but the team went 2 for 3.

Next up, the Avs will finish their road trip against the St. Louis Blues. In the matchup on Nov. 11, Colorado suffered a horrific 8–2 loss and will look for redemption.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fumble-in-overtime-loss/feed/ 0 28049 Penalties plague Eagles in 5–1 loss https://www.the-rink.com/penalties-plague-eagles-in-5-1-loss/ https://www.the-rink.com/penalties-plague-eagles-in-5-1-loss/#respond Sun, 24 Dec 2023 02:37:35 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28028 LOVELAND, Colo. — Though the Colorado Eagles struggled with aggression and engagement last night, the rematch against the Calgary Wranglers showed adjustments despite dropping the game 5–1. The most notable... Read more »

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]]> LOVELAND, Colo. — Though the Colorado Eagles struggled with aggression and engagement last night, the rematch against the Calgary Wranglers showed adjustments despite dropping the game 5–1.

The most notable difference was the reintroduction of Justus Annunen to the crease. He was out of the lineup after the game against the San Jose Barracuda on Nov. 18. His absence highlighted the need for him to regain confidence between the pipes, but head coach Aaron Schneekloth ultimately took him out of the game halfway through the second period.

First period

Right out of the gate, it was clear the Eagles had a bone to pick. After yesterday’s close loss, it was clear Colorado could find a victory against Calgary.

But the Wranglers would not make a victory easy. Former Avalanche player Dryden Hunt found the back of the net first and gave the visiting team an early lead at the 7:25 mark.

Ben Meyers, assisted by Jack Ahcan, would answer the goal with his own only four minutes later. At the NHL level two weeks ago, Meyers also netted a goal against the Wranglers’ NHL affiliate, the Calgary Flames.

“I think it always helps,” Meyers said. “Obviously the game is faster there, so getting those reps in and then coming back makes it a little easier.”

Second period

The second frame was the beginning of the end for Colorado. Penalties plagued the Eagles and they played like they had a bone to pick with Calgary. They found themselves in the box for nineteen minutes while only committing three infractions.

Brad Hunt got the ball rolling with the penalties only nine seconds into the period for hooking. With only five seconds to go on his penalty, Annunen let a puck past him, and the Wranglers took the lead once and for all.

A minute later, the margin increased to two. The home team received their first opportunity to close the gap after drawing a tripping penalty. But, before even taking advantage, Jason Polin committed a fifteen-minute infraction, resulting in his removal from the game 6:17 into the second period.

With the intensity at an all-time high and several tussles already in the books, Corey Schueneman and Calgary’s Mitch McLain sealed the deal and both receive penalties for roughing at 10:26.

During the 4-on-4, Calgary scored again, and the former Avalanche member picked up his second of three assists for the night.

Two minutes later, the team netted another goal, and Trent Miner replaced Annunen. Trent Miner faced the visiting team last night.

Though receiving two more power play chances, the Eagles didn’t convert on any of them despite being incredibly successful on the road leading up to this series.

Third period

After steadily falling further and further away from a level playing field, the aggression and anger continued to build. Three and a half minutes in, Riley Tufte committed the last penalty of the match for roughing.

The Wranglers scored their last goal of the game 13:40 into the match and Hunt picked up his third and final point of the night.

Takeaways

During the entire weekend, Colorado was always presented with chances to score. Inconsistent power plays and a strong opposing goalie were the toughest hurdles to get past. In the last two periods, the Eagles outshot their opponent by a considerable margin, 15-8 and 11-7, respectively.

The actual killer of the match was the number of penalties committed, especially in the second period. The slew of penalties led to a breakdown of the lineup, and Calgary capitalized on the weaknesses to run away with the game.

While on the road, the Eagles captured a power play goal for the last three games, but the last two games on home ice have not yielded the desired results.

Annunen could be considered responsible for the number of goals against the team, but his prolonged absence from the lineup and limited support from the defense was a huge contributing factor. Miner’s late appearance in the game was promising, but was not early enough to be a difference maker.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/penalties-plague-eagles-in-5-1-loss/feed/ 0 28028 Eagles struggle to find victory on home ice https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-struggle-to-find-victory-on-home-ice/ https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-struggle-to-find-victory-on-home-ice/#respond Sat, 23 Dec 2023 06:50:36 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28007 LOVELAND, Colo. — After returning to home ice from a long road trip, the Colorado Eagles had made significant improvements since their last outing at Blue Arena. Gathering five of... Read more »

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]]> LOVELAND, Colo. — After returning to home ice from a long road trip, the Colorado Eagles had made significant improvements since their last outing at Blue Arena.

Gathering five of six points leading up to the matchup and improving the execution of the power play set the stage for Colorado’s matchup against the Calgary Wranglers. Even with the refinement, the Eagles ultimately dropped the first of a two-game series 2–1.

“We knew that Calgary is a good team,” Cedric Paré said. “They’re first in the division, so we knew they were going to be hungry. I think they lost in Bakersfield two days ago. So, we knew they were gonna be angry. And I think they were more angry than us tonight and we’re just gonna focus on tomorrow’s game.”

First period

The Eagles had a slow start to the game, not firing a single shot on goal for the first eight minutes of the game. They closed the period with only seven to the Wranglers’ 14.

Despite being outshot by double, Trent Miner rejected any attempts for Calgary to net a goal. It was clear the communication between players was flowing freely and Colorado was rewarded.

Second period

After the first intermission, two entirely new teams emerged from the locker room. Aggression picked up and goals started flowing.

Even with Miner holding down the crease, Calgary got the first goal on the board 1:46 into the first period.

Not even two minutes later, Matthew Steinburg finds an opening to put Colorado on an even playing field and takes advantage of a pass from Ondrej Pavel and Wyatt Aamodt.

While once again tied up, Ivan Ivan takes a penalty for hooking, and it was the opening the Wranglers needed to take the lead once and for all.

Third period

With a secure lead in place and the Eagles hungry to stay in the game, the third period was fast-paced, high energy, and physical. Despite the absence of goals, there were six penalties recorded.

The first 24 seconds accounted for half of those. Calgary’s Dryden Hunt was sent to the box for goaltender interference. Aamodt rushed to the defense of Miner and got into a brawl with Wranglers’ captain Brett Sutter.

Even with a four-minute power play, the Eagles couldn’t convert and ultimately dropped the game 2–1 on the first night of the back-to-back series.

“We were disciplined on the road trips, and we addressed before we left that we’re not giving ourselves the best chance to win if we continue to be on the penalty kill,” head coach Aaron Schneekloth said. “We talked before the game that this is a team that draws a lot of penalties. We’ve got to stay disciplined, keep our feet moving, our sticks in the right spots. Got caught up on a few of them and you know they capitalized on an early power play against us, and we couldn’t find the back of the net on ours.”

Takeaways

The Eagles have made significant improvements on the ice, and it showed in tonight’s game. Calgary is a tough team to beat but thanks to exceptional defense and Miner’s commitment to a low-scoring game, Colorado was never at a severe disadvantage.

Despite dealing with injuries and recalls to the Colorado Avalanche, Schneekloth adjusted the lineup swiftly and effectively. Ben Meyers was reassigned to the Eagles this afternoon after playing three games at the NHL level and could pick up where he left off and recorded one shot on goal.

To have a chance at a victory in tomorrow’s matinee showing, they needed the physicality seen in the third period right out of the gate instead of only being seen in the final 20 minutes of the contest.

Interviews

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-struggle-to-find-victory-on-home-ice/feed/ 0 28007 Avalanche unseated from top spot in the Central Division https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-unseated-from-top-spot-in-the-central-division/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-unseated-from-top-spot-in-the-central-division/#respond Sun, 17 Dec 2023 04:11:02 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=27950 Hot off of a 5–1 victory against the Buffalo Sabres and on a two game win streak, it was safe to say the Avalanche looked good going into one of... Read more »

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]]> Hot off of a 5–1 victory against the Buffalo Sabres and on a two game win streak, it was safe to say the Avalanche looked good going into one of the most important games this season. But, without defensive powerhouse Cale Makar, it was going to be a difficult contest for the first place spot in the Central Division.

In the history between the two teams, the Avalanche come out on top with a 28-21-1-6 record, but Colorado has struggled in the recent matchups. With a 6–2 loss to the Jets tonight, the Avalanche is now 0–2–0 against them for the season.

First period

The first period looked clean off the bat, both teams only finding six shots on goal in the first frame. Winnipeg found their first opportunity almost 14 minutes into the first frame, bringing the score to 1–0.

While Josh Manson sat in the box for delay of game, the Jets could bring the score to 2–0. Though given a power play advantage, the team continues to struggle and could not score.

The low number of shots on goal reflected successful defense and offensive effort.

Second period

Colorado has a reputation to gear up after a mediocre first period, but they reflected a lack of energy and inconsistent offensive pressure in the final score.

As the Jets continued to force the Avalanche to work for a victory, they scored their third unanswered goal at 8:43.

A sleepy offensive presence recorded seven attempts to Winnipeg’s nine.

Third period

With 20 minutes still left in the game, it was not too late for Colorado to secure the win. The increased effort was felt with an astounding 19 shots on the goal for the third period, far outshining the Jets’ 10.

The Avalanche received their second chance for a power play 42 seconds into the period. Jonathan Drouin stepped up to finally get them on the board with help from Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. Winnipeg answered the goal with two of their own, quickly shutting down any gained momentum and sat comfortably at a 5–1 score.

Jack Johnson scored his second goal of the season at 10:41, assisted by Valeri Nichushkin and MacKinnon, who recorded his second assist of the night.

In a last-ditch effort to close the three-goal gap, Colorado removed Ivan Prosvetov to gain an extra attacker. In the end, it wasn’t enough and an empty net goal for the Jets sealed the game.

Analysis

With such an important game being played, it was surprising the Avalanche did not play to their identity offensively. The team relied heavily on a defensive approach and did not spend enough time in the offensive zone.

The Jets hold an 18–9–2 record and are known to be a very disciplined team with a lot of fight. Despite knowing this, the Avalanche did not adjust to the style of play and ultimately suffered for it.

A constant criticism has been the effectiveness of the power play. Despite having four opportunities, they only managed to cash in on one of them. The Avalanche’s power play percentage for the season is 19.3%, which isn’t enough to consistently change the outcome of a game.

Though the score may not reflect it, Prosvetov performed well and made crucial saves. He has been a dependable option between the pipes.

The Avalanche have a quick turnaround and face the San Jose Sharks at home tomorrow at 6 p.m.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-unseated-from-top-spot-in-the-central-division/feed/ 0 27950 Emotional night yields 5–1 victory https://www.the-rink.com/emotional-night-yields-5-1-victory/ https://www.the-rink.com/emotional-night-yields-5-1-victory/#respond Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:04:56 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=27925 The atmosphere in Ball Arena on Wednesday night was different for more reasons than one. Long-time Colorado Avalanche defenseman and beloved teammate Erik Johnson played his first game in Colorado... Read more »

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]]> The atmosphere in Ball Arena on Wednesday night was different for more reasons than one.

Long-time Colorado Avalanche defenseman and beloved teammate Erik Johnson played his first game in Colorado wearing a jersey other than the familiar burgundy since leaving Denver for the Buffalo Sabres. The Avs honored him with a tribute that was guaranteed to make even the toughest Avalanche fan shed a tear.

The Avalanche played a good game with several exciting achievements and ultimately added a 5–1 victory to their scorecard.

Sam Malinski, Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin and Mikko Rantanen each had a landmark night in the statistic department, but more on that later

First period

Colorado was off to a hot start and kept the Sabres to an impressive zero shots on goal for over 13 minutes.

With the defense locked in, the historically prolific offense was set up for success.

After breaking a nine-game scoring drought in Monday’s game, Rantanen netted his second goal in two games. The usual suspects, MacKinnon and Cale Makar, both added assists, and the Avalanche took an early 1–0 lead.

Nichushkin followed suit and scored netted first goal of the night (and 99th NHL goal) just over halfway through the first period, and Miles Wood joined in on the fun a minute and a half later to give the home team an exciting 3–0 lead.

The Sabres could find their only chance to score 18 minutes into the period, but it would not make a dent in the game’s outcome.

The Avalanche outshot Buffalo 15–6 at the end of the first frame.

Second period

Lately, it has seemed like Colorado has been struggling to capitalize on opportunities during the second period, and this game was no different.

The previously struggling Sabres closed the shooting gap and left the Avalanche with a measly five shots on goal to their 15.

If the Avalanche defense was not on top of its game, the offensive lull could have proven disastrous, but the period remained scoreless.

Third period

The Avs played the last frame relatively clean, and there were goals to show for it. Malinski has been playing in Denver for several games and has been making a big impact, but the only thing missing was his first NHL goal.

With help from Jack Johnson and Jonathan Drouin, the rookie finally netted a goal. To make it even more special, his dad was in the house to see it happen.

Adding to the already lively showing, Nichushkin nets his second of the game on a power play, assisted by MacKinnon and Rantanen. With this one goal, three milestones were achieved. Nichushkin recorded his 100th goal, MacKinnon’s 800th assist and Rantanen’s 550th point.

Takeaways

One of the most important things from this team is the ability to bounce back from losses and, more importantly, stop them from happening. Until recently, the Avalanche have made a habit of allowing opposing teams to score within the last seconds of a period, occasionally costing them the game.

With that unfavorable trend appearing to end, the inconsistent second period is the next thing to address. In Monday’s game against the Flames, the Avalanche allowed five unanswered goals into their net in the second period alone. The team’s absence in the second frame against the Flyers on Saturday resulted in the game quickly getting out of hand.

A source of criticism has been the inefficiency of the power play. However, Colorado went 1 for 2 and Nichushkin has been a huge contributor to the improvement.

Lastly, Ivan Prosvetov has proven to be an excellent addition to the roster. With a .919 save percentage and four wins under his belt, he has been a tremendous source of relief to Alexandar Georgiev and stepping up in the absence of Pavel Francouz.

The Avalanche will have a quick road trip to Winnipeg on Saturday before returning to Colorado against the Sharks on Sunday.

 

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/emotional-night-yields-5-1-victory/feed/ 0 27925 Meyers shines with hat trick as Eagles triumph 5–2 in San Jose https://www.the-rink.com/meyers-shines-with-hat-trick-as-eagles-triumph-5-2-in-san-jose/ https://www.the-rink.com/meyers-shines-with-hat-trick-as-eagles-triumph-5-2-in-san-jose/#respond Sat, 18 Nov 2023 16:11:06 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=27545 Friday’s Colorado Eagles game in San Jose yielded plenty of victories. Ben Meyers scored three goals, Riley Tufte assisted on all of them and Keaton Middleton scored his first goal... Read more »

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]]> Friday’s Colorado Eagles game in San Jose yielded plenty of victories. Ben Meyers scored three goals, Riley Tufte assisted on all of them and Keaton Middleton scored his first goal of the season.

The 5–2 win came from more than just a tight offensive strategy and execution. While the ultimate goal was achieved, there was also plenty of room for improvement.

First period

The first frame of the contest did not take long to get underway. Meyers scored his first of three goals at 3:07, helped by Tufte and Wyatt Aamodt.

The Eagles received their first power play on a tripping call at 7:20, to which Oskar Olausson quickly capitalized off of to put Colorado at an early advantage.

Nate Clurman found himself in the box for fighting just after the 16:00 mark, giving the Barracuda got their own power play opportunity.

With 2:46 left to go in the first period, San Jose gets lucky. Justus Annunen had the puck covered, but it came free, allowing the Barracuda to net one of their two goals for the night.

Colorado clearly dominated the first period. They ended the opening 20 minutes with 12 shots on goal, whereas their opponent only put up five.

Second period

There was not much to be said about the second period. Just 25 seconds after the puck was dropped, Meyers, aided by Tufte and Corey Schueneman, netted his second goal of the night, bringing the score to 3–1.

The Eagles proved the effectiveness of their penalty kill, though. Dalton Smith and Nate Clurman both spent a couple of minutes in the box, but Meyers remained the only goal scored.

In contrast to the first period, the middle 20 minutes were much slower. The Eagles only put up five shots while San Jose put up 10.

Third period

The Barracuda still had more to give despite a quiet second period. A goal at 7:31 brought the game back within one goal.

While most of the period was spent locked in a 3–2 score, Meyers once again broke the ice at 19:05 after taking advantage of San Jose’s empty net. Tanner Kero and Tufte assisted on his final goal.

In the final 20 minutes, Keaton Middleton scored a goal right before the game ended, resulting in a 5–2 win.

Analysis

— The first period was really great in terms of offensive pressure. The Eagles spent a significant amount of time in the offensive zone and put up 12 shots in the first period. The third period was another example of the offensive strength, putting up 10 shots.

— The defense was really clean. San Jose was kept to five attempts in the first period.

— Similar to their affiliate, the Eagles are solid on the penalty kill. With 15 minutes of penalties committed and six possible opportunities for their opponent, the Eagles kept San Jose to only one goal.

The Eagles will return to Loveland next weekend to host the Texas Stars.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/meyers-shines-with-hat-trick-as-eagles-triumph-5-2-in-san-jose/feed/ 0 27545 Get-right game puts Avalanche back on track https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-finds-success-in-get-right-game/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-finds-success-in-get-right-game/#respond Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:16:37 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=27470 With some concerning trends emerging, the Colorado Avalanche needed a win. An 8–2 loss against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, the Avalanche’s struggles throughout the lineup were both apparent... Read more »

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]]> With some concerning trends emerging, the Colorado Avalanche needed a win. An 8–2 loss against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, the Avalanche’s struggles throughout the lineup were both apparent and out of character.

Monday’s game was a chance for revenge on the Seattle Kraken’s home ice with the final matchup between the two teams. After taking a 4–3 loss to them on Thursday, there was certainly much to be resolved and a get-right performance was imperative to breaking an unsavory streak of shortcomings.

Artturi Lehkonen recently went on long-term injured reserve after taking a hard hit from Seattle’s Jamie Oleksiak just a few days ago, and his absence in the lineup was felt. Andrew Cogliano also walked away from the game banged up, leaving room for youngsters to step up.

Answering the call was Sam Malinski, who was making his NHL debut, and Caleb Jones, who replaced Sam Girard and Josh Manson.

First period

The first frame of the game was slow and flat. After the humbling loss against the Blues, it goes without saying the Avalanche’s defense needed to step it up and, of course, the team needed to get goals on the board.

Kurtis MacDermid took on Oleksiak just a few minutes into the period, no doubt policing the hit on Lehkonen in the last game. Unfortunately, it did little to ignite a fire within the team.

The lackadaisical play allowed the Kraken to net the first goal, making it 10 straight games of allowing an early deficit from this opponent.

Even though Colorado has had chances to adapt to Seattle’s playing style, it still causes problems for the team. The roster’s slump resulted in poor communication, inconsistent passing and missed power play opportunities, which had noticeable consequences.

The Avalanche only took five shots on goal in the first period, which was not a promising look for the remaining 40 minutes.

Second period

Though what was said in the locker room may never be known, the Avalanche entered the second frame with a new sense of determination and energy. Passes connected, communication improved and success followed.

Starting the period on a failed power play, the Avalanche kept pushing forward and consistently applied pressure to the home team. Mikko Rantanen broke through and netted his tenth goal of the season to tie the game 1–1. Nathan MacKinnon and Devon Toews assisted his goal.

Finally being rewarded for hard work, it did not take long for the flood gates to open and for the burgundy and blue to remind the Seattle Kraken they were a tough contender.

Just a couple of minutes later, Ross Colton made the score 2–1 on a power play with help from Toews and Tomas Tatar.

Third period

The final period of the contest was nothing less than exciting. Starting off on a historically successful penalty kill, the Avalanche maintained their lead and ensured the Kraken would not score another goal.

Quickly silencing enthusiastic boos from the crowd, Cale Makar made the score 3–1 with 15:46 left to go. He was assisted by Jones and Tatar.

The lineup on the ice in the final 30 minutes of the game could not have been more different from the one in the first 30.

Jonathan Drouin, new to the team this season, finally scored his first goal in an Avalanche jersey, assisted by Rantanen and MacKinnon. His goal was definitely a confidence booster after coming up short in the first 13 games.

The team was on a roll, and everybody was cashing in. On a power play, Valeri Nichushkin scored the last goal of the game with just under five minutes to go and sealed the Kraken’s fate with a 5–1 defeat. MacKinnon had his third assist of the night, helped by Rantanen with his second.

The Kraken fired just one singular shot on the goal during the final frame.

Final takeaways

The team truly deserved the win. Despite a slow start and important players missing, the team triumphed and Jared Bednar reached 300 wins.

In total, Colorado had 31 shots to Seattle’s 19. The power play performance was significantly better than in recent games and converted on 2 of 6 chances.

Alexandar Georgiev’s recent performance has been questionable, but he was locked in and resembled the goalie Avs fans are accustomed to.

The get-right game could not have come at a better time. Returning home, Colorado will take on the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday before heading to Dallas for a division rivalry game.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-finds-success-in-get-right-game/feed/ 0 27470 Avalanche suffer shutout against Vegas Golden Knights https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-suffer-shutout-against-vegas-golden-knights/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-suffer-shutout-against-vegas-golden-knights/#respond Sun, 05 Nov 2023 14:35:59 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=27263 Sin City takes no hostages, and Saturday’s game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Knights was certainly no exception. Colorado finished the game on the losing side of... Read more »

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]]> Sin City takes no hostages, and Saturday’s game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Knights was certainly no exception.

Colorado finished the game on the losing side of a 7–0 score. Where the team historically thrived, mistakes cost the team the game and came up short of handing Vegas its first loss of the season.

Lack of fluidity, poor communication and compiled errors were the main contributors to such a loss, but the night did not start that way.

First period

Right out of the gate, both teams seemed evenly matched. The Golden Knights were facing their first challenging team of the season, as both teams were two of the last three undefeated teams in the league.

Colorado put up 12 shots to Vegas’ 14.

Alexandar Georgiev was solid in front of the net and had several key saves in the first frame. Defensively, the Avalanche came to play and were certainly a force to be reckoned with.

The Golden Knights are known for taking advantage of their opponent at any chance, and they found such a chance while the Avalanche were on the power play. Cale Makar caught an edge and took a slow recovery while Vegas netted its first goal with 3:23 remaining. Not discouraged, the Avalanche continued to forecheck well and were still in the game.

Second period

The first half of the second period was similar to the first and Colorado was determined to have a good showing.

The third line was causing trouble for the Golden Knights. Miles Wood, Ross Colton and Logan O’Connor meshed well and took several chances on the goal. The Avalanche did a good job of continuing to apply pressure to its opponent’s defense.

As communication dwindled, Vegas exploited Colorado’s weaknesses. The home team netted a second goal to bring the score to 2–0. Though a win was still attainable, the Avalanche began to be their own worst enemy.

A giveaway by Valeri Nichushkin brought the game to 3–0 and the home team showed no signs of slowing down. With only 6:35 remaining in the period, the margin increased by one more and the Avalanche only had 20 minutes to get back into the contest.

The team’s offensive pressure throughout the period showed and the final tally of shots came down 12–11 in favor of Colorado.

Third period

Colorado had a lot of room for improvement in the last frame. Tomas Tatar drew a penalty to send the Avalanche to the power play just over a minute into the period.

For the second time in the game, the team allowed Vegas to net their second shorthanded goal. A 5–0 deficit was not a great situation to be in and the roster knew it. Instead of rolling over and allowing the loss to be taken from them, they battled back.

The Avalanche outshot their opponent 17–9 in the third period and the team tried to buckle down and at least put one goal in their column.

10:52 into the frame, the Golden Knights put another goal on the board, all but denying the team from achieving any sort of comeback. The final nail in the coffin was the seventh goal of the game, with 5:24 remaining on the clock.

In total, Colorado outshot the home team 41–34, but simply could not convert and suffered a shutout on the road.

Analysis

To put it simply, the game was uncharacteristic of the Avalanche on all fronts. The team historically performs well on the road and rarely loses in such a fashion. Concerningly, this is the third shutout of the last four games.

Nichushkin, a typically reliable player, had a -4 rating for the game and zero shots on the goal, and Jonathan Drouin followed closely behind him with -3 and only one shot on the goal.

Out of four power plays, the team capitalized on none of them, rather let the Golden Knights score two shorthanded goals.

The team suits up against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. The Devils are sitting third in the Metropolitan Division and are 6–3–1 for the season.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-suffer-shutout-against-vegas-golden-knights/feed/ 0 27263 Tufte tallies hat trick as Eagles reign over Ontario https://www.the-rink.com/tufte-tallies-hat-trick-as-eagles-reign-over-ontario/ https://www.the-rink.com/tufte-tallies-hat-trick-as-eagles-reign-over-ontario/#respond Sat, 04 Nov 2023 14:16:22 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=27247 LOVELAND, Colo. — Blue Arena was filled with excitement on Friday night. After a long road trip and the Colorado Eagles in a funk, the game against the Ontario Reign was... Read more »

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]]> LOVELAND, Colo. — Blue Arena was filled with excitement on Friday night. After a long road trip and the Colorado Eagles in a funk, the game against the Ontario Reign was the perfect way to get back into the swing of things.

The Eagles secured a 5–3 win over Ontario, outshooting the Reign 38–25. Riley Tufte unsurprisingly stole the show after netting three goals to secure a hat trick, with two goals in the last period of the game.

First period

The first period did not begin to heat up until the last five minutes on the clock. Sam Malinski’s pass to D.J. Busdeker broke the scoring open, and the Eagles secured the 1–0 lead.

“D.J. Busdeker has been patiently waiting for an opportunity to get in the lineup and the speed shown and did a great job on the forecheck and was rewarded early in the night with the goal,” head coach Aaron Schneekloth said.

The advantage did not last long, as former Eagle Charles Hudon got past Justus Annunen to bring the game back to a tie at 1–1.

There were obvious differences between the two teams, the most important being the physical size of the players. The Reign towered over the Eagles, and Colorado was required to play a heavier game.

Though the Eagles had 13 shots throughout the first frame, they missed several scoring opportunities by passing an unnecessary number of times instead of firing a shot into the crease.

Second period

The second period revealed a new team. The Eagles took a more aggressive approach and stopped avoiding the puck, giving them better chances to test Ontario’s goalie.

The home team did not waste any time getting on the board, as Tufte fired a shorthanded goal to secure his first point of the night with assistance from Joel Kiviranta and Caleb Jones.

Only one minute later and on the same penalty kill, Henry Bowlby followed suit and scored a second shorthanded goal, bringing the score to 3–1.

The Reign left the first goal unanswered, but fired the puck into the crease and closed the margin and brought the game within one at 3–2.

Third period

The Colorado Eagles had finally found their groove and were more relaxed on the ice in the last frame, where Tufte excelled.

At 7:52, he scored his second goal of the contest on a power play, followed by his hat trick goal at 18:37. Tanner Kero, Kiviranta and Brad Hunt assisted his goals.

“Well, he’s playing the game the right way,” Schneekloth said. “I mean, he’s not cheating on the offensive side of things. He’s playing strong defensive hockey, he’s making sure he’s in good position on breakouts and then he’s getting in there. He’s a big, long guy with a huge range. He’s able to jar some pucks loose and then use his big frame to protect him and he’s not afraid to shoot the puck and go to the hard areas and right now he’s being rewarded for his efforts.”

Ontario scored their third and final goal 11:57 minutes into the last period, but the comeback effort was too little, too late, with the Eagles holding on for the 5–3 decision.

Colorado will play the Reign on Saturday before taking on the Henderson Silver Knights on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Takeaways

Despite lineup changes from injuries, the Eagles quickly adapted to the Reign’s speed and style, especially on the penalty kill.

Though not able to execute on the power play previously, Colorado showed significant improvement with the advantage.

With the Henderson Silver Knights (7–2–0) on the horizon, the Eagles are on the right track to turn the rest of the season into a success.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/tufte-tallies-hat-trick-as-eagles-reign-over-ontario/feed/ 0 27247 Avalanche break NHL record, maintain perfect record https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-break-nhl-record-maintain-perfect-record/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-break-nhl-record-maintain-perfect-record/#respond Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:13:18 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=27088 Tuesday’s game against the New York Islanders was one for the books. With a 7–4 win, the Colorado Avalanche set an NHL record for the longest road win streak after... Read more »

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]]> Tuesday’s game against the New York Islanders was one for the books. With a 7–4 win, the Colorado Avalanche set an NHL record for the longest road win streak after securing their 15th victory across two seasons.

The Avalanche continue to be undefeated, as their record improves to 6–0–0. The team outshot the Islanders 40–32.

After joining the team in June, Ryan Johansen has proven to be a valuable contributor to the lineup. He accounted for two of the seven total goals for the night. Nathan MacKinnon had trouble finding the back of the net after firing eight shots, but only being able to convert one of them.

Mikko Rantanen also had an explosive showing, scoring one goal and three assists, marking his 300th career assist.

First period

The Avalanche found themselves in the box just over two minutes into the period after Miles Wood was sent to the box for roughing alongside New York’s Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

Only 5:19 into the first period, Johansen scored on a wrist shot with help from Cale Makar and Rantanen to take the lead early.

Colorado maintained its lead for just under four minutes before the Islanders responded and tied the game 1–1. Makar collected a backhanded goal on the top shelf, set up by Devon Toews and Rantanen to lead 2–1 and outshot their opponent 19–6 at the conclusion of the first frame.

Second period

With replenished energy, the Islanders made it clear they would not go down easy. At 2:01, Jack Johnson took a penalty for tripping and sent the visiting team to a penalty kill. Capitalizing on the deficit, New York to tie the score 2–2.

A short three minutes later would be the only time the Islanders pulled into the lead, as Simon Holmstrom made the score 3–2.

In a quick 13-second turnaround, Bowen Byram tied the score 3–3 before MacKinnon added to the party for a 4–3 score with only 29 seconds remaining in the second period. Makar assisted with Byram’s goal, while Valeri Nichushkin assisted on both.

Third period

Though the Avalanche entered the third period with a one-goal advantage, it was time to get down to business. At the 4:40 mark in the period, the Islanders netted their final goal, bringing the score back to a standstill at 4–4.

Assisted by Tomas Tatar, Rantanen notched a goal to regain a 5–4 edge. In an effort to stay in the match, the Islanders pulled their goalie, which would prove unsuccessful. With one minute left in the game and an empty net in front of him, Johansen added his second goal to the scoreboard and Rantanen’s participation would be his 300th career assist.

The last goal of the game would be credited to Ross Colton, his first in an Avalanche sweater. In a battle for the puck, Colton unofficially received assistance from the Islanders themselves, and he put the score to rest with 31 seconds remaining in the game.

Analysis

The Avalanche dominated the offensive zone in the first frame, but the ratios quickly evened out as the contest went on. The penalty kill continues to be successful, but the power play goals seem to be few and far between.

The Avalanche will continue their season on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. The Penguins are 2–4–0.

 

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-break-nhl-record-maintain-perfect-record/feed/ 0 27088 Colorado Eagles close weekend with another loss https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-close-weekend-with-another-loss/ https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-close-weekend-with-another-loss/#respond Sun, 15 Oct 2023 14:26:23 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=26923 For the second game of the season, the Colorado Eagles had an opportunity to split the series with the Grand Rapids Griffins. After a 4–3 loss Friday night, something was... Read more »

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]]> For the second game of the season, the Colorado Eagles had an opportunity to split the series with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

After a 4–3 loss Friday night, something was working, but something was also unsuccessful. Going into Saturday’s game, it was up to coach Aaron Schneekloth to shuffle his players accordingly.

Though there were some changes in players, the Eagles dropped the game 5–2 despite outshooting the Griffins 43–25.

First period

Though appearing evenly matched in the first frame of the game, it did not take long before the Griffins jumped on the Eagles to take the lead. Just over seven minutes in, Arvid Holm let one through and Grand Rapids began to build upon their early lead.

Five minutes later, the Griffins found the back of the net once more. The Griffins outshot Colorado 10–9 in the stanza.

The Eagles went 0 for 2 on the power play in the first period, which would become a theme for the night.

Second period

Only 1:40 into the second period, Henry Bowlby found himself in the box for elbowing, leaving his team shorthanded. The Griffins found an opportunity to capitalize and increased their lead to 3–0.

The rest of the period remained scoreless for the Eagles despite having two more chances at the net with an advantage.

Third period

With two periods already in the book, it truly was do or die for Colorado. The Eagles had a power play chance but could not convert on it. For almost 10 minutes, neither team had found the perfect shot on the goal.

Breaking the scoring freeze, Grand Rapids’ Tim Gettinger makes the score 4–0. But, three minutes later, the Colorado Eagles finally made it onto the board.

Peter Holland, assisted by Caleb Jones and Cal Burke, raised the score to 4–1. With some refreshed hope, the Eagles favored an extra offensive player and moved Holm off of the ice.

Such a decision did not go unpunished, and once again Colorado was trailing by four goals after an empty-net goal by their opponent. Holm was returned to the crease for the final five minutes of the game.

In the last minutes of the game, Sam Malinski, with the help of Holland and Cedric Pare, finally cashed in on a power play and finished the contest 5–2.

Analysis

The first few games of the season are always unpredictable, and this weekend was no exception. The Eagles really struggled using the power play to their advantage, though seem to work effectively on the penalty kill.

The Eagles will have a rematch with the Griffins at home on Friday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. MDT.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/colorado-eagles-close-weekend-with-another-loss/feed/ 0 26923 Avalanche open season with success https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-open-season-with-success/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-open-season-with-success/#respond Thu, 12 Oct 2023 14:19:13 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=26881 The Colorado Avalanche kicked off the season with their new roster, opening the 2023–24 schedule on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings with a 5–2 victory. There was much to... Read more »

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]]> The Colorado Avalanche kicked off the season with their new roster, opening the 2023–24 schedule on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings with a 5–2 victory.

There was much to look forward to with the season opener, and all eyes were on Colorado’s first line, especially with the anticipated chemistry between Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon.

Not only did Drouin and MacKinnon prove to be a dangerous pair, but MacKinnon’s opening goal only set the pace for a prolific night of hockey for the Avalanche.

MacKinnon was assisted by Drouin and Mikko Rantanen only 7:25 into the first period and it remained the only goal on the board for the rest of the frame.

Cale Makar opened up the second period with a goal assisted by MacKinnon and Rantanen, and his goal was later followed by Rantanen’s own, which was assisted by Devon Toews and MacKinnon.

The third period yielded two more goals. Rantanen started the period with help from Makar and Jack Johnson, but newcomer Miles Wood added to the lead and recorded his first Colorado goal on an empty net. Wood was assisted by Ross Colton and Tomas Tatar.

Though showing an efficient and aggressive style of gameplay, the forward nature of the game came at a cost. Overall, the team had an issue staying out of the penalty box and accumulated 19 penalty minutes.

In the first period, Valeri Nichushkin, Makar and Drouin all drew penalties. A scuffle in the second period left Logan O’Connor with a penalty for fighting, largely contributing to the overall time spent in the box. Makar and Kurtis MacDermid both acquired minor infractions in the second frame.

By the third period, Bowen Byram seemed to have a chip on his shoulder. He committed two back-to-back penalties for cross-checking and boarding.

However, the Avalanche did not struggle with the penalty kill, which was something coach Jared Bednar had been working on in the preseason camp. Through the night, the lineup successfully shut down five shorthanded scenarios.

For the night, the Avalanche amassed 35 shots on goal. Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev only allowed two goals past him and successfully blocked 23 shots.

With such promise at an early stage of the season and more information for the coaches to work with, the Avalanche will be under a watchful eye and will move forward to their next road game against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. MDT.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-open-season-with-success/feed/ 0 26881 Eagles open training camp, several prospects impress coaches https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-open-training-camp-several-prospects-impress-coaches/ https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-open-training-camp-several-prospects-impress-coaches/#respond Mon, 02 Oct 2023 21:09:45 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=26706 WINDSOR, Colo. — With the regular season just around the corner, the Colorado Eagles are preparing their lineup. The team is doing well after the first day of training camp, making... Read more »

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]]> WINDSOR, Colo. — With the regular season just around the corner, the Colorado Eagles are preparing their lineup. The team is doing well after the first day of training camp, making good passes and keeping the right amount of intensity.

In his first year as head coach, Aaron Schneekloth has taken over the Eagles’ camp and is ready to prepare his team for the upcoming season.

“Well, there’s a lot more emphasis on development, like in the ECHL, you’re trying to help players get to the American League,” Schneekloth said. “Your sole basis and focus down there is to, you know, win some hockey games and get some fans in the stands and help your ownership group that way, and up here, it’s a development league. Your priority is to help develop and prepare these young prospects and draft picks and free agents for the transition to the National Hockey League. So a lot more emphasis on individual skill development and, you know, hockey IQ and reads and trying to intertwine winning habits in a good culture with that.”

The standouts

Ondrej Pavel

Though injured and not having been reassigned to the Eagles, Ondrej Pavel has been working hard during the summer to ensure he can hit the ground running once healthy. He has missed the Colorado Avalanche camp and the first three games of the preseason.

For his appearance in training camp today, he looked healthy and was moving the puck well.

Pavel stayed in Colorado for the summer even though it was not required by the team, and the transition from college play to the AHL influenced his decision.

“It was a lot of work moving from college to Denver,” Pavel said. “And then I made the decision that the training facilities are much better here in Colorado instead of just like, for example, going home and trying to look for a gym or a place to skate. And obviously, I heard that, you know, some of the guys are sticking around over the summer. So I think it would be absolutely great getting on the ice with them and working out with them and just learning from them.”

Pavel’s dedication has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff. Schneekloth only had positive things to say about Pavel, despite his injury.

“He’s a guy that is going to show up to the rink and compete every single day,” Schneekloth said. “It’s unfortunate that you know, he incurred an injury, kind of cut his camp short, but he’s here, he’s gonna work hard and get back to giving himself an opportunity to be shown to showcase himself and give him a chance to get in front of the Avalanche.”

By staying through the summer, he also received valuable feedback by the veteran Avalanche players. Samuel Girard and Kurtis MacDermid took Pavel under their wing to improve his play, and he took their advice. Andrew Cogliano also gave him pointers.

“I like that they were very open, like teaching me because you know, they could definitely take the stance of like, you know, who is this guy?” Pavel said. “Like, ‘He never played a game, like why is he here with us?” and they didn’t and they taught me a lot, so I’m really grateful for that.”

Moving into the Eagles’ camp after a summer of work, he returned to camp looking quick on the puck and playing on the second line.

Alex Beaucage

Despite wearing a red non-contact sweater, Alex Beaucage is showing significant improvement in his shoulder injury rehab.

His skating looked awkward, but his shots held the same strength as is often seen in games.

In the 2022–23 season, Beaucage was a valuable player on the penalty kill. Offensively, he collected eight goals and 12 assists in 63 games.

Riley Tufte

After being pulled up to the Avalanche roster against his old team, the Dallas Stars, Tufte made a name for himself. He was playing on the third line with Joel Kiviranta and Fredrik Olofsson.

Tufte had one goal and one assist against the Stars, impressing both the fans and the coaching staff in the preseason games as well as the Avalanche training camp.

Olofsson, Sam Malinski and Matthew Stienburg also impressed Schneekloth.

“Well, I think if you look at some of the kids that we signed last year, you know, Stienburg had a real good showing from rookie camp into main camp,” Schneekloth said. “Malinski is still up there playing, (Oskar) Olausson, Tufte, Olofsson you know, (Wyatt) Aamodt and (Nate) Clurman. They’re all still up with the big club right now trying to leave their mark, and play hard in the last few exhibition games if they get that opportunity. So I’m excited for those guys that they’re taking advantage of their training camp opportunity and we’d be happy to have them down here as well.”

What’s next?

The Eagles have two days left of training camp before opening up the regular season in Grand Rapids, Michigan, against the Griffins.

The Avalanche have preseason games on Tuesday and Thursday, and the lineup begins play on Oct. 11 against the Los Angeles Kings.

Full interviews

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/eagles-open-training-camp-several-prospects-impress-coaches/feed/ 0 26706 Avalanche drop first preseason game to Minnesota Wild https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-drop-first-preseason-game-to-minnesota-wild/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-drop-first-preseason-game-to-minnesota-wild/#respond Sun, 24 Sep 2023 23:55:27 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=26594 With the first look at the Colorado Avalanche in preseason action, the roster was anything but set in stone. The game against the Minnesota Wild revealed the team’s strengths and... Read more »

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]]> With the first look at the Colorado Avalanche in preseason action, the roster was anything but set in stone. The game against the Minnesota Wild revealed the team’s strengths and weaknesses, but it was hard to know who would perform well under in-game pressure.

Ultimately, the Avalanche dropped the game 4–3, allowing Minnesota to score three goals in the third period.

Going into the contest, Minnesota’s Jesper Wallstedt was going to be a tough goalie to score on. As one of the top goalie prospects in the league, the Avalanche had their work cut out for them.

In the first period, Colorado was ready to step up to the challenge. All lines were locked in and focused, looking cohesive. Only 4:10 into the first period, a pass from Fredrik Olofsson to Joel Kiviranta put the Avalanche ahead on the board.

While aggressive play seemed to pay off, the Avalanche stacked up 18 penalty minutes. Leaving the team shorthanded allowed the Wild to capitalize. Sam Malinski spent the most time in the box, owning eight of the 18 minutes.

The Wild could not take advantage of the penalties by Henry Bowlby, Tomas Tatar and Saige Weinstein in the first period to even the score.

By the second period, the proactive play became a disadvantage. Malinski, Jack Johnson and Corey Schueneman committed the first three penalties of the period but were later followed by two from their opponents.

Unlike the first period, sloppy play became apparent, and a power play became the perfect scoring opportunity for Minnesota to get past Justus Annunen to tie the score at 1–1.

The rest of the period remained scoreless.

Heading into the third period, the Avalanche cleaned up the penalties, but it was not enough to keep Minnesota away from offensive momentum. After a goal from the Wild snuck past Arvid Holm, a pass from Ryan Sandelin to Bowlby tied the game back up at 2–2.

Two more Minnesota tallies put the Avalanche behind, and with nine seconds left in the last leg of the game, Riley Tufte put the final goal on the board to trim the score to 4–3.

Preseason is for learning, and the Avalanche have a lot to work with, but their time is limited. All eyes are on the coaching staff to see what adjustments will be made to produce a successful lineup.

With inevitable roster changes being made, Monday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights will demonstrate how the players’ performance affects the game’s result.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-drop-first-preseason-game-to-minnesota-wild/feed/ 0 26594 Avalanche to make roster decisions after final day of training camp https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-to-make-roster-decisions-after-final-day-of-training-camp/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-to-make-roster-decisions-after-final-day-of-training-camp/#respond Sat, 23 Sep 2023 20:36:53 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=26582 With Saturday holding the final day of training camp, it was time for big decisions. The games against the Minnesota Wild and the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday and Monday... Read more »

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]]> With Saturday holding the final day of training camp, it was time for big decisions. The games against the Minnesota Wild and the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday and Monday may result in some roster changes.

First on the ice were Alex Beaucage, Jean-Luc Foudy and Calum Ritchie, wearing red non-contact sweaters. Later, Wyatt Aamodt joined them while wearing full-contact gear. Ondrej Pavel appeared on Friday but did not lace up his skates today. As expected, Cale Makar was absent from camp and will possibly miss the first two games of the preseason.

The injury list leaves openings for youngsters to take a shot.

In the first group, Jack Ahcan, Nate Clurman and Tomas Tatar were running 5-on-5 drills on the fourth line, looking promising. Newcomer Miles Wood stood out on the ice. He was fast-paced and ran drills on the second line.

Defensively, Keaton Middleton was using his size to block shot opportunities. Bowen Byram also had a good showing and filled Makar’s absence with Devon Toews as well. The third line comprised of Joel Kiviranta, Brandon Kozun and Fredrik Olofsson.

Olofsson did not push his full potential. He joined the team in June but did not make much effort to stand out during camp.

The second group was more exciting. Despite wearing a red non-contact sweater and not expected to play in preseason games, Andrew Cogliano was aggressive and prepared for the regular season.

On the first line, Riley Tufte centered for Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin and could keep up. Nichushkin had several good plays on the first line. He controlled the puck and seemed eager to recreate in-game intensity.

After Nathan MacKinnon’s team-excused absence to attend a ceremony with the Halifax Mooseheads, he returned to Colorado and suited up in an unexpected fourth-line sweater.

Though his talent outshined that of D.J. Busdeker and Dalton Smith, both with AHL contracts, perhaps his gameplay on the fourth line encourages younger players to work harder to maintain a contract.

With camp at a close, the real test for the green players will be the showing in the first few games of preseason. After the games, an entirely different roster may emerge before the Colorado Eagles’ camp takes place in the beginning of October.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-to-make-roster-decisions-after-final-day-of-training-camp/feed/ 0 26582