LOVELAND, Colo. — After returning to home ice from a long road trip, the Colorado Eagles had made significant improvements since their last outing at Blue Arena.
Gathering five of six points leading up to the matchup and improving the execution of the power play set the stage for Colorado’s matchup against the Calgary Wranglers. Even with the refinement, the Eagles ultimately dropped the first of a two-game series 2–1.
“We knew that Calgary is a good team,” Cedric Paré said. “They’re first in the division, so we knew they were going to be hungry. I think they lost in Bakersfield two days ago. So, we knew they were gonna be angry. And I think they were more angry than us tonight and we’re just gonna focus on tomorrow’s game.”
First period
The Eagles had a slow start to the game, not firing a single shot on goal for the first eight minutes of the game. They closed the period with only seven to the Wranglers’ 14.
Despite being outshot by double, Trent Miner rejected any attempts for Calgary to net a goal. It was clear the communication between players was flowing freely and Colorado was rewarded.
Second period
After the first intermission, two entirely new teams emerged from the locker room. Aggression picked up and goals started flowing.
Even with Miner holding down the crease, Calgary got the first goal on the board 1:46 into the first period.
Jonesy wraps it up! 🎁 pic.twitter.com/6qJi7Ztz99
— x – Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) December 23, 2023
Not even two minutes later, Matthew Steinburg finds an opening to put Colorado on an even playing field and takes advantage of a pass from Ondrej Pavel and Wyatt Aamodt.
STIENBURG TIE GAME pic.twitter.com/tIRZvOpQOL
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) December 23, 2023
While once again tied up, Ivan Ivan takes a penalty for hooking, and it was the opening the Wranglers needed to take the lead once and for all.
Moose parked in front! pic.twitter.com/GwBD3CxRKr
— x – Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) December 23, 2023
Third period
With a secure lead in place and the Eagles hungry to stay in the game, the third period was fast-paced, high energy, and physical. Despite the absence of goals, there were six penalties recorded.
The first 24 seconds accounted for half of those. Calgary’s Dryden Hunt was sent to the box for goaltender interference. Aamodt rushed to the defense of Miner and got into a brawl with Wranglers’ captain Brett Sutter.
It’s Tilly Time! 💪
Sutter vs Aamodt pic.twitter.com/uIkELSzAS5
— x – Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) December 23, 2023
Even with a four-minute power play, the Eagles couldn’t convert and ultimately dropped the game 2–1 on the first night of the back-to-back series.
“We were disciplined on the road trips, and we addressed before we left that we’re not giving ourselves the best chance to win if we continue to be on the penalty kill,” head coach Aaron Schneekloth said. “We talked before the game that this is a team that draws a lot of penalties. We’ve got to stay disciplined, keep our feet moving, our sticks in the right spots. Got caught up on a few of them and you know they capitalized on an early power play against us, and we couldn’t find the back of the net on ours.”
Takeaways
The Eagles have made significant improvements on the ice, and it showed in tonight’s game. Calgary is a tough team to beat but thanks to exceptional defense and Miner’s commitment to a low-scoring game, Colorado was never at a severe disadvantage.
Despite dealing with injuries and recalls to the Colorado Avalanche, Schneekloth adjusted the lineup swiftly and effectively. Ben Meyers was reassigned to the Eagles this afternoon after playing three games at the NHL level and could pick up where he left off and recorded one shot on goal.
To have a chance at a victory in tomorrow’s matinee showing, they needed the physicality seen in the third period right out of the gate instead of only being seen in the final 20 minutes of the contest.