LOVELAND, Colo. — The Colorado Eagles have done one thing right this year, and it is winning games at home. As they came into the second game against the Ontario Reign, the Eagles are 4–0 at home. The home cooking has done the team some good, as they exploded on Friday night for the 5–3 victory and a hat trick from Riley Tufte, the first of his career.
Key takeaways from game two
- The power play for the Colorado Eagles continues to struggle. The Eagles have converted only 18.2% of their power plays at home before Saturday night and only 12.5% overall. Their failure to keep their collective head up and search for shooting lanes is evident when they take shots. This leads to blocked shots for the opposing team. The Eagles were 0 for 5 on the power play on Saturday.
“We’ll discuss it, we’ll watch some video and discuss and see what we feel is needed to correct some things,” coach Aaron Schneekloth said. “Just kind of one of those nights where it’s unfortunate we took, you know, three offensive penalties while we’re on the power play. It kind of nullified what we’re trying to accomplish. And just overall a tough game to play and when there’s that many penalties. It’s hard to find guys to find a rhythm and get into the game and some guys are overextending themselves on specialty teams. And other players are sitting on the bench.”
- Justus Annunen was looking confident and strong while in goal. He faced 40 shots on goal and only gave up three goals, one of which was on the Ontario power play. Two of the three goals were from former teammate Charles Hudon.
- Tufte had another great game, adding an assist putting his total up to 12 points in eight games with the Eagles. Using his long reach, he poke checked the puck away, creating a 2-on-1 opportunity and scoring a goal.
A Reign goal scored by who else but Charles Hudon is followed up right away with a 2v1 and a finish from Joel Kiviranta from Tufte. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/PX0GV0OWKT
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 5, 2023
- Oskar Olasusson was the first star in the game on Saturday. He scored two goals in the second period off rebounds near the crease. With these two goals, he now has three points for the season.
Olausson gets a bouncing puck through traffic to break open the scoring with the assists from Henry Bowlby and Caleb Jones #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/YLCvf4ImOH
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 5, 2023
Olausson with a backhand finish for his second of the night off of the rebound from a Brad Hunt shot. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/kRQbhgxaEs
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 5, 2023
The Eagles continue to find success at home, but their woes continue on the power play. Colorado has had no issue with their even strength. As long as they can get their power play in sync with their road game, they should not have any issues. The team’s health may become an issue due to the absence of players like Ben Meyers and Peter Holland. The Eagles will look to wrap up their home stand against the Henderson Silver Knights on Tuesday and Wednesday.