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.
Pare puts us on the board early!! pic.twitter.com/LaHmLOw5vC
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 24, 2024
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.
Burke gives the Eagles a two-goal lead early in the 2nd! pic.twitter.com/Ml72vA6iyF
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 24, 2024
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.
Kero is our Hero! 3-0 pic.twitter.com/1Pp4OTBZFi
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 24, 2024
“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.
Pare does it again!! 4-0 pic.twitter.com/fGg91zYYGM
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 24, 2024
“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