The Colorado Eagles picked up eight of 10 points on their road trip, rise to fifth place in the Pacific Division.
Before the contest, the team was a mere two points behind the fourth-place Abbotsford Canucks, who the Eagles hosted in Loveland tonight. A win would guarantee a move up, while a loss would leave them only one point ahead of the Ontario Reign, who they beat on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3.
First period
After being sent down to the Eagles on Sunday, Ivan Prosvetov made his debut in the net. However, it wasn’t his appearance that brought energy to the team early in the game.
Keaton Middleton and Abbotsford’s Jermaine Loewen drop the gloves, and both earn five minutes in the box for fighting.
18 seconds in and we got some action👊 pic.twitter.com/KMRF256lZJ
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 10, 2024
The Eagles received their first power play for tripping, though could not convert. With both teams holding strong and displaying incredible energy, the first period ended scoreless and tied up in shots on goal.
Second period
The Eagles dominated the second period, and the score book proves it. Two minutes into the period, Chris Wagner netted a goal to put the team on the board. Brad Hunt and Corey Schueneman both picked up assists.
Wags puts us on the board first🥳 pic.twitter.com/AhzIBKg4Xx
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 10, 2024
Carrying a one goal lead, the Eagles continued to display energy and determination. Prosvetov found his time to shine and had several incredible saves to keep Colorado ahead of the Canucks.
Go off Prosvetov🫡 pic.twitter.com/MWS6JYHRzZ
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 10, 2024
Abbotsford put up several good attempts, though the Eagles netminder held strong and kept them off the scoreboard.
Tanner Kero cashed in on a power play with two minutes remaining in the period, increasing the margin to two. Cedric Pare and Jack Ahcan both added a point to their assist column.
PP keeps buzzinnnnn pic.twitter.com/uT8kk27wpg
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 10, 2024
The roster outshot the Canucks 12-9 for the period and ended the frame securely in the lead.
Third period
Abbotsford interrupted Colorado’s momentum at the 1:45 mark in the third period. Canucks player Chase Wouters found a way past Prosvetov and brought his team back into the game.
Despite this, Colorado held onto its lead and closed in on the victory. Spencer Smallman sealed the deal with just over two minutes to go. Pare, who picked up his second helper of the night, assisted his goal.
SMALLY SCORES, SMALLY SCORES pic.twitter.com/3s1yD1goqe
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 10, 2024
The Eagles closed out the night with a 3–1 victory and secured the fourth place slot in the division. They will face Abbotsford again tomorrow, Feb. 9 at 7:05 p.m.
Analysis
— Receiving Prosvetov from the Avalanche is a huge addition to the roster. He will complement Trent Miner and add to a solid goalie lineup going into the second half of the season.
— It is clear the injury bug has worked its way through the team. Jean-Luc Foudy and Ben Meyers are both notable absences. Oskar Olausson becuase of an upper-body injury and Ondrej Pavel missed the game because of illness both are listed as day to day.
— Unsurprisingly, Colorado’s penalty kill was difficult to beat. The team fended off all four of the Canucks’ power play opportunities.