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Eagles triumph in shootout, extend win streak to four games

  
win streak
Cal Burke races after the puck on Jan. 27, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Henderson Silver Knights)

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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