The Colorado Eagles start off a six-game road trip in Abbotsford, facing the Canucks. During their last two-game series on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10, the Eagles picked up all four points. Since then, every victory gains ground in the Pacific Division.
Since then, Colorado has only lost one game and continues to rise in the AHL standings. With a 5–2 win to kick off a string of away games, the team sits only two points behind the top spot, currently occupied by the Coachella Valley Firebirds (Seattle Kraken).
First period
Despite having the perfect stage to make ground in the division, the roster got off to a slow start in the first frame. The Canucks out skated them for the first half of the period, forcing the Eagles to spend more time in their zone and only had limited opportunities to find the back of the net.
In the second half of the period, the visiting team picked up the pace and registered shots. Keaton Middleton slowed down the positive progress by air mailing a puck over the glass and taking a seat for delay of game.
Historically, the Eagles have been consistently strong on the penalty kill, and the roster looked put together. However, the Canucks got a lucky bounce and took the lead for the first and only time.
With Middleton out of the box and the Eagles at full strength, the fight was on. There were only four minutes remaining, and the team didn’t get discouraged by the sudden deficit.
As the clock ticked down for the first frame and only a few seconds remained, the likelihood of evening the score wasn’t looking likely.
Riley Tufte, recently on a prolonged dry spell, lights the lamp with only four seconds to go in the period. Fredrik Olofsson assisted his goal, marking his first goal in an Eagles uniform.
Tufts coming up clutch👊 pic.twitter.com/rUCIvyEd0i
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 28, 2024
Even with the last moment neutralization, the Canucks still had 17 shots to Colorado’s 10.
Second period
Rolling into the second period with momentum, the Eagles dominated the ice and made up ground offensively.
Ivan Ivan is the first skater to be rewarded for his hard work. At the five-minute mark, he picks up a rebound from Callahan Burke and Jean-Luc Foudy and gives the Eagles a one-point lead. Ivan has been consistently hot, picking up his third point in four games.
Ivan stays hot🔥 pic.twitter.com/hUEcAkjxVO
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 28, 2024
Ben Meyers keeps the offensive pressure rolling and scores his tenth goal of the season with help from Peter Holland.
What a move from Meyers😮💨 pic.twitter.com/uiueCgE82T
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 28, 2024
Right at the buzzer, Ivan scored another goal, but the officials waved it off. The team would maintain the two-goal advantage in the third period.
Third period
After an eventful second period, things were looking good for Colorado. Consistent pressure and energy yielded an optimistic energy on the ice.
Despite being behind by two, the Canucks were unrelenting. They seemed to go shot-for-shot with the Eagles.
Canucks skater Cole McWard picks up his fourth goal of the season and cuts down the lead to one.
With the game coming down to the wire and a boarding call on Olofsson, things were getting dangerous. Abbotsford favored an extra skater and pulled their goalie, creating a 6-on-4 situation.
Colorado fended off the overwhelming situation, largely because of goaltender Ivan Prosvetov. Since being sent down to the Eagles, he is 8–0–0–0 and provides stability and strength between the posts.
Abbotsford opted to not put their netminder back on the ice, which ended up being to the benefit of the Eagles. Tanner Kero takes advantage of the unoccupied goal, once again putting the team ahead by two.
Ya love to see it pic.twitter.com/euB8SZh9S0
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 28, 2024
Still unfinished and determined to score his second of the night, Ivan once again scores a buzzer beater and solidifies a 5–2 final score.
Make that two for Ivan! pic.twitter.com/WTX3sEqpiQ
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) February 28, 2024
Takeaways
— Prosvetov is one of the most valuable additions to the team. The goalie remains undefeated and is a grounding force in the net. His consistently strong goaltending is invaluable to the team, especially at this point in the season.
— Several Eagles players are heating up, and just in the knick of time. Kero has two goals in three games, and several teammates join him. Ivan has notched four points in just as many games, and Cedric Paré has five points since Feb. 17.
— Colorado is staying hot and is on a six-game win streak for the second time this season, providing further proof this team is a force to be reckoned with. The roster will face off against the Canucks for the last game of the series tomorrow, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m.