Malinski Stays Hot In Eagles Win Over Gulls

LOVELAND, Colo. – On Friday night, the Colorado Eagles were in a fight with the last place team in the AHL — the San Diego Gulls — who have nothing to lose this weekend. If Colorado can maintain their position in the standings, they could earn the #3 seed in the Pacific Division and for the first round. The Gulls, on the other hand, have finished 32nd in the league and look to spoil the fun for the Eagles in the playoffs.

It wouldn’t be much of a contest, as it turned out. Rookie defenseman Sam Malinski would maintain his almost point-per-game average as Colorado continued to ride the success of their younger players.

First Period

The Eagles went into the first with a lot more confidence than the Gulls last night. It was a physical period, with 11 penalties between the two teams in the first alone. One penalty that stood out was a fight between Matt Stienburg and Drew Helleson. The penalty was Stienburg’s first pro penalty…against a former Avalanche draft pick in Helleson.

Colorado scored the only goals in the period with the first one coming about five minutes into the first. Wyatt Aamodt controlled it at the left point and sauced it down to Charles Hudon at the top of the left circle. He snapped it past goaltender Calle Clang with ease to make it 1-0. 

Eagles Strike Again

The second goal came much later in the first. After a very good chance by Spencer Smallman, he wouldn’t give up. Colorado brought the puck right back in and Hudon found the seam to get it to Cedric Paré for a shot down low. Smallman was there for the rebound and forced through to make it 2-0. 

Second Period

It became a much cleaner period for both teams as in terms of penalties. Both Ontario and Colorado only received two penalties apiece, none of which were for fighting. The standout in the second was Eagles goaltender Jonas Johansson. Having not made an AHL start since March 3, he had seen 18 shots so far in the game and looked keyed in.

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While up with the Avalanche, Johansson was able to play two games, gaining two wins for the NHL parent club in the process. But in the two periods of play to this point, he was impressive. Johansson had gone full splits and did a push to the other post to prevent a chance by San Diego on a breakaway. If it is possible, he looks like a better goalie for his time with the Avalanche even though he played just two games.

Third Period 

The Eagles tried to wrap things up early with a Malinski goal only five minutes into the period. Jean-Luc Foudy sent Malinski the pass from the opposite point. He then walked in to attempt a shot. Unfortunately, Andrej Sustr’s stick got in the way and deflected it right into the goal to make it 3-0.

San Diego would break the shutout on a steal from Hudon in the Gulls’ zone. Brent Gates Jr. easily picked the pass off and then sent a stretch pass down to Bryce Kindopp, who threw it on an unexpecting Johansson. The Gulls would pull the goalie with about a minute and half left, but Mikhail Maltsev would shut the door on the game with the cage wide open. The Eagles would win 4-1. 

Conclusion

Colorado saw a physical match-up last night against San Diego and were able to equal their play. They were even able to maintain their scoring despite the lack of Alex Galchenyuk and Ben Meyers due to call ups in with the Avalanche.

The Eagles now maintain their one point lead in the standings with the win, staying ahead of Abbotsford. Colorado, who has clinched home ice for the first round, are still unsure who they will play. It could be one of two teams — the Ontario Reign or Bakersfield Condors. If the Eagles can get their players back, they stand a very good chance to make it to the second round of the playoffs and beyond.