LOVELAND, Colo. — The Colorado Eagles played a weekend series against the San Jose Barracuda after a split series against Bakersfield. With the two wins, it helps the Eagles maintain a seventh place in the Pacific Division. In the AHL, seventh place is still playoff eligible, barely. They trail Henderson by just one point, who they will play next weekend and hold a two point lead over Bakersfield. Colorado has suddenly exploded offensively, scoring 12 goals in two games. Help came from all over the map as Ivan Ivan had a four point weekend and Oskar Olausson had two goals in as many nights. Here are the takeaways from the 6–5 and 6–4 victories over the Barracuda.
AND THATS THE GAME! Paré wins the faceoff and Ahcan sends the puck up to Oskar Olausson to finish it off 6-5! #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/eXxWQULTp2
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) January 21, 2024
Takeaways
— Goaltending has struggled as of late. The coaching staff pulled Trent Miner about halfway through the game on Saturday and replaced him with Arvid Holm. Miner was not seeing the puck very well and had allowed a couple of bloop goals. Justus Annunen even misplayed a puck himself early in the game on Sunday to give San Jose an early lead.
“They scored three quick ones,” coach Aaron Scheekloth said. “You don’t want the game to get out of reach. So it’s kind of reset for the group and to ensure alertness on the bench as well for players wanting to tighten things up. Miner has been great. He’s been working hard. He’s been earning his ice time and had an off night. So that’s what happens at every level. It’s unfortunate, I know. He’s gonna want some of those goals back and Holm came in and finished the job.”
Danil Gushchin dumps a shot on net and it pokes right through Miner's 5 hole #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/NtBdOo0TRg
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) January 21, 2024
— The power play has clicked in all ways for the Eagles. They went one for two on Sunday and two for four on Saturday. With a conversion rate of 50 percent, the goals have rolled in for them and the team has grown more confident. Many of the players are showing their excitement in the hallways as they walk out of the locker room with big smiles.
“We just took the pressure off ourselves,” forward Ryan Sandelin said. “Sometimes you go to those three games and you’re kind of squeezing the stick a little bit. I know everybody was frustrated, but sometimes it’s just about sticking with it.”
Well that didn't take long, the Eagles strike back with two quick goals. Jason Polin with his 1st of the year, assisted by Paré, and an unassisted goal Ben Meyers. Now 2-1 Eagles #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/zW46fXGSmk
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) January 21, 2024
— The penalty kill has been excellent recently. The Eagles now have killed 16 penalties in the last four games in a row. Their success rate in penalty kills is 84.6 percent, placing them 5th in the league. Special teams have been the key for them all season.
Conclusion
The Eagles may be in the middle of the pack, but coach Schneekloth is doing something special here in Loveland. He is building a team and they believe in a new system, and it is working. Games have tilted in their direction as both the power play and penalty kill have become more aggressive. The right players like Olausson, Jason Polin, Brad Hunt and Riley Tufte are all getting on track. With this, the Eagles have found success. They will look to take the success on the road to battle the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday and Saturday.