LOVELAND, Colo– The Colorado Eagles took on the Grand Rapids Griffins one last time after losing the first two and winning on Friday. Colorado won in dominant fashion on Friday by doubling up the Griffins 6–3. The season started with a playoff-like series, but less intense.
First period
The first period was fast-paced, with few interruptions. They made no infractions on either side, just some heavy hitting. The Eagles recorded 10 shots on goal compared to the Griffins’ seven. It seemed like the players were just going through the motions in the frame.
Second period
The middle frame heated up. The pace picked up, and the physical play rattled the boards inside Blue Arena. Just over one minute into the second, Brogan Rafferty stole the puck in the neutral zone and sent it up ice to Nolan Stevens. He carried it into the offensive zone and passed across the slot over to Cross Hanas. There was a little juke move, and the shot came quick onto Justus Annunen and trickled through to make it 1–0. It took 17 minutes for the Eagles to strike back in the second. Riley Tufte poked the puck loose in the neutral zone and the defense worked into the Griffins’ zone. Joel Kiviranta snapped a shot on goal with no success to have Cedric Pare follow it right on the crease. This forced an open net as the puck bounced to the slot and Wyatt Aamodt rocked a slapper from one knee to tie the game at 1–1.
Wyatt Aamodt gets his 1st goal of the year on a wide open net from the slot to tie the game at 1. Assisted by Cedric Paré and Joel Kiviranta. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/YSNO5Pcp38
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) October 22, 2023
Third period
The last frame was reminiscent of the first. Until 7:49 when the Griffins tried to work into the Eagles’ zone. They attempted a cross-ice pass and Peter Holland poked his stick and took off. Tufte capitalized on a 2-on-1 rush and scored the game-winning goal.
“I saw the puck come out of the zone and I saw there’s only one defender, so we kind of got on the horse a little,” Tufte said of the play. “Was kind of patient with it. You know, so Peter kind of like blew up a little bit and he made a great play. He faked a shot.”
Riley Tufte scores his 3rd goal in two games on a 2v1 with the help of of none other than Peter Holland. Eagles lead 2-1. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/V5Loq1dOCF
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) October 22, 2023
Analysis
The Eagles battled the entire game despite a slow start. They could rally and regain the lead. It shows the leadership in the room. Brad Hunt had mentioned that the team is full of leaders and a game like tonight showed it. Veterans like Holland and Keaton Middleton are teaching young players to never give up. Once they can learn to control that, they will be extremely dangerous.