The Colorado Eagles aimed to complete and capitalize on a full 60-minute game against the Ontario Reign by staying disciplined and competitive in their fourth matchup of a five-game road trip. With multiple roster changes on both sides, the Eagles were able to secure a 5–2 win.
In their last meeting with Ontario, the Eagles had multiple points from defenders Sam Malinski and Brad Hunt and forwards Chris Wagner and Jean-Luc Foudy. Malinski and Foudy were both scratched from Friday’s game, Malinski with a night off and Foudy with an upper-body injury. Peter Holland saw the ice for the first time with the team since November 25. He’s only played ten games so far this season and has five goals and three assists.
Tonight, the Eagles had yet another multi-point night and moved to No.4 in the Pacific Division.
First period
The first period got off to a slow start. With 3:49 left, Colorado had nine shots on goal as opposed to Ontario’s two. A delayed penalty from Spencer Smallman and an Ontario penalty for too many men pulled a player from both sides.
The Eagles were the first to capitalize on the four-on-four and a goal came from Oskar Olausson 18:24 in. He received help from captain Brad Hunt, who currently leads the team in assists, goals, and points, and Wyatt Aamodt, who has four assists on the season.
An Olausson 4-on-4 goal to kick things off😎 pic.twitter.com/jeZckk43BB
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 3, 2024
Second period
Cal Burke kicked the second period off early by scoring a goal off of his own rebound. At 2:11, Ivan Ivan provided the assist to him and ended the night with two assists.
Burke keeps it going on his own rebound pic.twitter.com/LUl5Tk9wMO
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 3, 2024
After two shorthanded opportunities for Ontario, the Eagles kill off a penalty drawn by Holland four minutes in. The Eagles continue to out shoot the Reign 13–9.
Just six minutes later, Burke lights the lamp again off of a turnover from Ivan and Jason Polin.
Burke x2 pic.twitter.com/rep5bw3LGE
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 3, 2024
Halfway through the second period, the Regin began gaining momentum. Former Eagle Kevin Connauton and Alex Turcotte assisted Brandt Clarke with 3:30 left, while shots on goal were tied at 16.
Clarke, Turcotte, and Samuel Fagemo came down from the Los Angeles Kings at the start of the NHL All-Star weekend looking to enhance Ontario’s roster.
Third period
The Eagles capitalized once again 8:22 into the last period. Using the five-on-four to their advantage, Holland found the back of the net with an assist from Wagner and Hunt. The trio put the Eagles up 4–1.
A Welcome Back Power Play Goal for Holland pic.twitter.com/1DIUwLNBJP
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 3, 2024
Almost a minute later, Ontario responded with a goal of their own. Steven Santini and former Eagle T.J. Tynan assisted Colton Young in scoring his first goal of the season.
With time running out, the Reign pulled their goalie, Aaron Dell, in time for Cedric Pare to acquire an empty netter. Dell allowed four goals from 20 shots on the night.
Takeaways
With this win, the Eagles advance their win streak to six games. They move to No.4 in the Pacific Division, ahead of the Abbotsford Canucks, and one point behind the Calgary Wranglers.
Colorado will finish their road trip tomorrow night in San Diego as they face the Gulls at 7 p.m.