Blown Call Costs Eagles Game

The Colorado Eagles were looking to snap a three-game losing streak as they went into play against the Abbotsford Canucks last night. The Eagles have been fighting in the standings with the Canucks for the last few weeks. The two have been jumping back and forth between third and fourth. Now was a good chance for the Eagles to gain some ground to get back to third in the Pacific Division. Colorado was able to throw 40 shots on net against Calgary in their last game. If they did it again, they would stand a chance. However, a blown call would ultimately cost them the game. 

First Period 

It did not take long for the game to get started as Ryan Merkley went to the box just sixteen seconds into the period. Just one minute later, the Canucks would take advantage of the extra man. Jack Rathbone would skate from the goal line towards the blue line and see an open man on the opposite point. Rathbone sent a pass over to Arshdeep Bains and he would snap in on net. Linus Karlsson was standing to the right of goaltender Keith Kinkaid, and was able to redirect a shot past Kinkaid to make it 1-0. Each team was able to get on the power play three times in the first period alone, but Abbotsford was the only one to convert.

Second Period 

The Eagles began the second period on the power play themselves, finishing up with a minute and fifteen seconds left over from the first. They were able to hold the puck in the Canucks’ zone and get some great chances on net. The best one came just forty two seconds into the period. Colorado won the face off and got it back to David Farrance, who played a little pass and go with Charles Hudon. He sent a pass from the right circle over to the left circle and Alex Galchenyuk whipped a shot past goaltender Spencer Martin.

It wouldn’t remain tied long. Just thirty five seconds later, the Canucks would counterattack. Kyle Rau would take a shot from the slot, leaving the puck in front of the crease. Nils Höglander gathered up the loose puck and shoved it in to take back the lead, 2-1.

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Third Period

Colorado kept pushing through the third until finally, with about six minutes left, Ben Meyers sped from behind the Canucks’ net and to the top of the slot. He swung a shot in on net for it to fall in front and Spencer Smallman to pick it up for the rebound.

Abbotsford struck back less than a minute later to take back the lead. Abbotsford won the draw and the puck got pushed to the blue line. Jett Woo recovered and flung it towards the net and it was deflected to the left by Karlsson. Aatu Räty came screaming down the left side and hit the puck out of the air like a baseball into the net. The goal was immediately reviewed for high-sticking and ruled as a good goal. Räty would later add an empty-net goal to make it 4-2 and end the Eagles’ night.

Conclusion

It was not a lack of effort that hurt the Eagles last night; it was a failure to convert on the power play. Colorado had five opportunities and were only able to convert only one of them. Had they converted on just one more, it would have kept them in the game.

The bad call by the officials did not help the situation at the end of the game. Coach Greg Cronin was visibly upset by the call and even called a timeout to yell at the officials. The blown call is what made the big difference in the game. Had it been called back, it would have still been a tie game.

The Eagles will have to look for redemption later today as they play Abbotsford again at 5pm MT/ 4pm Pacific.