Eagles Soar In Return Of Galchenyuk

Photo Credit: Colorado Eagles

Loveland, Colo: Last night, the Colorado Eagles played against the number one team in the Pacific Division, the Calgary Wranglers. Colorado, having lost three of the last five games, will meet Calgary for the next four games – two in Loveland, two in Calgary. The Eagles have some issues playing against the Wranglers being just 1-3 coming into last night. It was a hard fought, physical game that saw the return of Alex Galchenyuk to the lineup. He had not played in almost a month, being out with a shoulder injury.

First Period

It was a physical game from the start. A hit along the boards on  Keaton Middleton by Adam Klapka sparked some words to be exchanged. Middleton did his thing and started throwing fists around on Klapka. About nine minutes into the game, Calgary got the scoring started with a carry into the zone by Klapka. He took it to the corner and passed it to hash marks to Alex Gallant, but he did not keep it long as he sent it to Jeremie Poirier. A screen was set up in front of goaltender Jonas Johansson, who did not even see the shot coming from Poirier.

 Eagles Fight Back

With just under two minutes left in the first, Middleton started an exit out of the zone with a pass to Ryan Merkley. The young defenseman got the puck to the speedy Callahan Burke. He sped down the half boards and dangled his way into the zone. Burke easily chipped the puck over goaltender Dustin Wolf’s shoulder to tie the game at one. With less than thirty seconds left, Alex Beaucage stole the puck as the Wranglers tried to exit their own zone. He shot it on net and as the puck trickled through Wolf’s five-hole, Cedric Paré crashed the crease to finish the job to take the lead 2-1. 

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Second Period

A gritty period continued as the Eagles tried to grind the game out and keep the lead throughout the second. The Wranglers had some issues staying out of the penalty box and incurred three penalties in the second. Two of the penalties belonged to Emilio Pettersen who held and tackled an Eagles player on his first infraction of the period. Pettersen argued the penalty the whole way to the box. Due to the Wranglers strong forecheck, the Eagles struggled to get set up on the power play with each opportunity. The period ended as it started with the Eagles in the lead 2-1. 

Third Period

The Wranglers came out strong in the third period, trying to fight back from a 2-1 deficit. The Eagles started with some pressure in the first five minutes, but it was mostly the Wranglers from then on. Calgary tried to pile on the shots, but Johansson was playing out of mind. He looked fantastic last night, moving with confidence and ease. With about four minutes left in the third, Colorado decided to put a clear end to the Wranglers’ efforts. Paré pushed hard on the forecheck in the Wranglers’ zone and stole the puck right beside the Calgary net. He spun around and saw Galchenyuk uncovered, rushing down the slot. Paré threw the puck up the ice to Galchenyuk and he slammed home the Eagles’ third goal of the night.

Coach Cronin 

The Eagles struggled on the power play last night, going 0-4 in their chances. Coach Greg Cronin thought the team “looked sluggish and couldn’t set up the play at all.“. He went on to say “we couldn’t get possession and get quality chances.” As he gave his injury updates, Cronin said he hopes that Mikhail Malsev “will be back for the Rockford series,” which is March 17-18th. 

Conclusion

Colorado played a well-fought game—in some cases, literally. Despite the lack of success on their power play, Colorado was able to convert during their five-on-five play. As we saw with his third period goal, Galchenyuk will help bring back some much needed offense to the lineup. Colorado now holds onto fourth position in the Pacific Division, tied with Abbotsford at 66 points. The next three games could determine if they stay at fourth in the standings or slide down.