The Colorado Eagles come into the second game against the Abbotsford Canucks with no wins on the road so far this season. They pushed the game on Tuesday night to overtime, but fell with 0.6 seconds left in the extra frame. It is not like they are coming into the game with no one scoring. Riley Tufte has a three-game goal scoring streak and Peter Holland has seven points in five games.
First period
The game started with a fast pace, and within four minutes, the Eagles took the puck into the offensive zone during a delayed penalty call. Jack Ahcan took it low and then back up to the blue line to pass it across the rink to Tanner Kero. Brad Hunt scored the first goal with a one-timer set up by Kero. The Canucks quickly struck back with a picked off pass in the neutral zone less than two minutes later, as Christian Wolanin passed it up to Chase Wouters to make a cross-slot pass, and Aidan McDonough tapped it in to tie it up. Abbotsford ended the period by drawing consecutive penalties and scoring on one to make it 2–1.
Brad Hunt help the Eagles start out hot tonight with a slapper from the blue-line and nice passing from Jack Ahcan and Tanner Kero. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/DHTMhgtx2d
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) October 26, 2023
Second period
Abbotsford appeared to start the second by dominating the Eagles. Aatu Räty passed the puck to Filip Johansson, who took a shot that rebounded to Wouters for the goal. Six minutes into the period, the Canucks were attempting to exit their zone, but Hunt beat them to a loose puck in the neutral zone. He carried the puck down the boards and wrapped around the net to muscle in his second goal of the night and make it 3–2 Canucks.
Brad Hunt forces his second goal of the night through the goalie's legs with the wrap around shot. Tufte gets the assist extends his point streak to 4 games and Caleb Jones also gets an assist. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/XXsQ9opIVY
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) October 26, 2023
The Canucks would continue their onslaught with four minutes left in the second, as they made an attack into the Eagles’ zone. Colorado tried to reverse directions in the corner to Oskar Olausson, and then he sent a pass right into the high slot to Räty, who spun around for the shot. The rebound laid in front of the crease for Marc Gatcomb to collect and easily finish the job. Three minutes later, as Colorado killed off a penalty, they cleared the puck out of the zone to goaltender Artūrs Šilovs. He sent a saucer down ice to Linus Karlsson to rush in on a changing Eagles’ defense. Hunt stood no chance as he tried to take away the pass, and Karlsson whipped the shot past Arvid Holm to make it 5–2.
Third period
Only a few penalties occurred in the last period with no scoring. With 5:40 left in the game, Keaton Middleton dished a massive hit on Vasily Podkolzin. As Middleton moved away, Podkolzin landed on his head and immediately started convulsing as he lay on the ice. He was then stretchered off of the ice and play resumed. They assessed Middleton a five-minute major and 10 minute misconduct. Fortunately, Podkolzin later posted from the hospital that he was okay.
Analysis
Colorado lost all momentum as they spent more time in the penalty box. Abbotsford had numerous power play opportunities, but only scored once and almost converted on another as time expired. They really shot themselves in the foot, but they were without Cedric Pare and Spencer Smallman because of injuries. If they avoid penalties and maintain pressure, they will improve.