LOVELAND, Colo. — The Colorado Eagles started a two-game set against the Henderson Silver Knights and wrapped a four-game home stand up on Tuesday night. Each game will be a “four-point game” and only four points separated the two teams in the Pacific Division standings. That highly motivated the Eagles to get the job done, particularly on the power play.
Game one quick hits
- Oskar Olausson has found his groove. He skates with confidence, constantly scanning for the play. Olausson is prioritizing getting to open ice to set up for a pass and shot. This is noticeable in the last two games with three goals. In the previous nine games before, Olausson had only one assist (in the season opener).
“That’s how we need him to play,” coach Aaron Schneekloth said. “That’s a strength of his game. He’s a big guy that can skate well and hold on to pucks, and obviously, his shot’s a big threat out there, so we need him to find open ice and create some space for himself, and he’s been doing that. Earlier on in the season he had kind of gotten away from that. And so at some we’ve been stressing with him and we want him to play the same way he did at Avs camp. He left a real good impression down there with the way he played and we need to get him back on track.”
Oskar Olausson is HOT!!!!! He scores for the second game in a row AND on the PP to put the Eagles ahead 2-0. Unassisted on the play. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/jdtfvqCvPE
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 8, 2023
- Ivan Ivan has been improving his game overall and becoming more aggressive at the pro level. He has grown accustomed to being independent and away from a billet family. On Tuesday, he scored his first pro goal on the power play in the second period and managed an assist on the Brad Hunt goal in the first period. His speed has become an issue for the defending teams as he forechecks into the zone and beats them to the puck.
“Living alone (is the biggest difference from junior to pro),” Ivan said. “You get an apartment and I am cooking for myself. There’s no family that helps me. So I am always on the FaceTime with my mom, like, ‘What should I buy for groceries?’ and stuff. So it’s definitely one of the things that I got off my shoulders, like getting an apartment, living alone, now finally comfortable. Just everything is getting better slowly.”
Ivan Ivan snaps his 1st pro goal AND on the PP with an assist from a returning Cedric Pare! #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/TrIWgnOjXh
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 8, 2023
- The Eagles’ power play has been struggling as of late, scoring in four of 37 chances before Tuesday. Colorado was able to convert on three of five chances that they had against the Silver Knights, who are an impressive 84.85% on the penalty kill. Players were moving the puck well and taking the shots when they needed to, putting pressure on the Henderson goaltender.
- Arvid Holm was the starting goaltender for the Eagles and stood his ground. He saved 19 of 20 shots on goal, with the only goal being on a stretch pass and sloppy change by Colorado. He navigated between posts with ease and stayed calm in the crease.
The Eagles aimed to extend their two-game win streak to three on Tuesday. They won dominantly, 5–1, and plan to repeat the performance on Wednesday. Henderson will want to maintain their place atop the division, so they will not give so easily and you can expect them to come out swinging on Wednesday.