Friday’s contest against the Henderson Silver Knights welcomed back many of the missing pieces this season. Whether it be injury, personal leave, or recalls to the Colorado Avalanche, the Colorado Eagles have frequently been missing part of their roster.
The Silver Knights lead the Eagles in the standings by a mere one point. A victory boosts Colorado to sixth place in the Pacific Division.
Ahead of the game, Jean-Luc Foudy and Chris Wagner had been alternating games so they were both able to ease back into things after both suffering injuries. Cal Burke returned from bereavement leave, and Sam Malinski is expected to take the ice tomorrow after being reassigned by the Avalanche.
First period
Both teams were keeping up with each other for the first five minutes of the frame. The Eagles trailed in shots 4–3 before drawing a penalty.
Oskar Olausson wasted no time, finding the back of the net only 18 seconds into the power play. Brad Hunt and Foudy provided the assist, with Foudy earning his first point of the season.
Olausson on the PP puts us on the board first🎉 pic.twitter.com/MosjiN9UC6
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) January 27, 2024
Only four minutes later, Burke would increase the lead to two, helped by Jason Polin and Ivan Ivan. The goal would mark his seventh of the season.
Burke makes it a two-goal lead! pic.twitter.com/mHX5D2rM69
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) January 27, 2024
Goalie Justus Annunen shut down all eight of Henderson’s attempts, helped by a locked in defensive squad.
Second period
The Silver Knights controlled the puck for much of the second period, outshooting the Eagles 14–12. When presented with a power play opportunity, it didn’t come as a surprise when the team’s hard work was rewarded. At the six-minute mark, Henderson narrowed the gap between the two teams to just one goal.
Colorado seemed to spend most of the period playing catch-up, trying to earn back the margin. Colorado’s effort of throwing shots on the net didn’t result in any goals, forcing the team to work harder in the last frame.
Over the last several games, Matthew Stienburg has found himself at the center of a lot of scuffles. Tonight, he dropped his gloves and went toe-to-toe with Henderson’s Daniel D’Amato. They both earned a five-minute fighting penalty with a mere seven seconds to go in the period.
Third period
With momentum going in the right direction, the Silver Knights seemed to put more effort into their performance than before.
Three minutes into the last frame, Adam Cracknell scored his second goal of the game to tie it at two.
STOP: CELLY TIME!!!! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/cuo0IeuAr5
— Henderson Silver Knights (@HSKnights) January 27, 2024
The remaining 17 minutes was a battle, yet neither team could add a goal to the board in regulation, and the game went to overtime.
Apparently, all Olausson needed was an additional 29 seconds. He scored his second goal of the game as an overtime winner, his second in three games.
OT winners becoming a thing for Olausson👏 pic.twitter.com/XrsR07jBV4
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) January 27, 2024
The team ultimately won 3–2 and walked away with two points and moved to the sixth place slot in the division.
Takeaways
The return of so many players, including Foudy, Burke, and the expected arrival of Malinski in tomorrow’s game, has clearly affected the Eagles. With the team now at full strength just past the halfway point of the season, they are expected to improve their standing before playoffs.
Last time the Eagles squared up with Henderson, they went 1–1–0, so it is safe to say tomorrow’s game won’t be an easy win. The puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27.