The Colorado Eagles continue their three game California road trip against the Ontario Reign. This is the fourth time that the Eagles and the Reign have faced each other this season. Colorado is leading the series 2–1. The Eagles are still injury bound with Justus Annunen, not even going on the trip. Peter Holland missed his sixth game in a row with a lower-body injury, but Cal Burke returned from personal leave. The Eagles took it to a shootout for the first time this year. Unfortunately, they could not pull it through and lost 5–4, but got a point in the standings.
Quick Hits
— The normally strong penalty kill allowed two goals tonight, giving the Reign the lead for most of the game. In most situations, the Eagles employed a tight box formation. They let the two goals in when Colorado loosened up the formation. Ontario swept in down the slot as one of the corner faded out and gave them too much room.
— Tanner Kero remained hot with his third goal in four games. Head coach Aaron Schneekloth has pushed Kero to perform just like his first game back from injury. Since then, he has been held off the scoresheet once. He has become a dominant force in the faceoff to help Colorado maintain possession.
Tanner Kero slips a weak shot through on the PP after a pass from Brad Hunt and Oskar Olausson. 2-1 Ontario #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/TO3iKnh3h6
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) December 17, 2023
— Ivan Ivan had one goal, one assist tonight and is looking more comfortable. The assist that he had to help set up Wyatt Aamodt’s goal showed complete calmness with the puck. Ivan played with the defender and then dropped the puck for Brad Hunt to do the rest. His goal came early in the game, as he knocked the puck out of the air and slapped it on net.
Ivan Ivan would not give up on the play as he knocks the puck down and whips it past Portillo to tie the game at 2. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/RsC44F831L
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) December 17, 2023
Ivan plays with the defense before dropping the puck to Hunt and then Wyatt Aamodt buries it as he crashes the net. Tied at 4. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/OLhb4ifYH7
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) December 17, 2023
— The Colorado power play went 1–5 tonight, but it was the second game in a row that they scored. They are showing some improvement by shooting more and getting opportunities. The Eagles have had to learn to adjust with five of their top players lost to the NHL or injury.
Conclusion
Colorado is showing some progress under the new leadership of Schneekloth. It has been an adjustment period for everyone and the players, old and new, are getting it. Colorado will play their last game on this road trip tomorrow as they head to Coachella Valley. The two teams who met in the playoffs last season will play with each other for the first time this year. It will be a huge two points on the line, as the Eagles only trail the Firebirds by three points in the standings.
After two unanswered goals by the Reign, Dalton Smith knew what needed to be done to spark the team as he drops them with Hayden Hodgson. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/0fD97zEIjs
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) December 17, 2023