
It seems like deja vu for Colorado Avalanche fans. The AHL team for the Avalanche — the Colorado Eagles — were facing elimination in a Game 5 against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The Firebirds happen to be the AHL team for the Seattle Kraken, who eliminated the Avalanche in Game 7 on Sunday.
It has been a hard fought series for both teams, but only one would get to move on and play in round three. The opponent? Either the Calgary Wranglers or Abbotsford Canucks. If the Eagles win, they move on. If they lose, their season is done.
-
Ep 77: Patrick Kane Signs, Goalie Issues, Corey Perry, and More
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 3:05 am
Jim and Chris are back for another Pucks After Dark on Full Press Hockey […]
First Period
As the first period started, Coachella Valley applied hard pressure on Colorado in their own zone. So much, as a matter of fact, that the Eagles were having issues getting it out of their zone. The Firebirds first goal would be a result of the hard forecheck from Jeremy McKenna about six minutes into the period. As Josh Jacobs tried to run behind the net, he passed it behind him, thinking it was clear for Keaton Middleton to pick up. McKenna picked the pass off and took the shot right away from behind the net. It nailed goaltender Jonas Johansson in the back of the mask and fell in net for the opening goal.
If It Could Go Wrong, It Did
Just 47 seconds after the opening goal, the Firebirds struck again. The Eagles were working on a power play and Brad Hunt was taking charge for the first unit. He dumped it in at the blue line, but nobody from the Eagles was able to get to it before Brogan Rafferty. He intercepted it and delivered it to Alexander True on the edge of the zone. True blew it over to Max McCormick at center ice for a clean breakaway and a five-hole finish to make it 2-0. It was the second shorthanded goal in as many games for the Firebirds.
As the period wrapped up, the Firebirds would get the worst lead in hockey. With less than a minute left, a five-on-three developed into the Eagles’ zone. McKenna carried it in and dropped it back for Jimmy Schuldt to whip it blocker side for the 3-0 lead.
Second Period
Coachella Valley continued the second right where they left off in the first frame. Not too long into the period, Cedric Paré was hit with a hooking infraction that would send him to the box. Just under two minutes later, Kole Lind would send a quick pass down below the goal line to Cameron Hughes. He would then do a no-look, behind the back pass to McCormick as he was charging down the slot. It was McCormick’s second of the night and would put the Firebirds up, 4-0.
The Eagles tried to fight back, but they just were not moving fast enough to get the opportunities. Colorado didn’t manage to get a shot until after nine minutes into the period. Colorado surprisingly outshot the Firebirds 7-6 in the period, but with no goals to show for it.
Around The AHL
Third Period
The Firebirds looked to take the Eagles out of the equation completely in the last period of regulatuon. Just 11 seconds into the period, Middleton would help seal that fate by getting a tripping penalty. Right after the penalty expired, Colorado tried to clear the puck without success. Shane Wright knocked it down at the blue line and spun to find McKenna already on his way to the net. Wright ripped it through the zone to McKenna and he finished the job over Johansson’s glove to make it 5-0.
As the rest of the game passed by, Coachella Valley continued to push their efforts into the Colorado zone and did not let up. It truly became a shutdown game for Coachella Valley as they assisted in the shutout for goaltender Joey Daccord.
Conclusion
To say that the game was heartbreaker is putting it nicely. The Eagles looked lost at times as they would not stay in position (the third goal, for example). They looked like they were overly tired most of the game, as well. The players were gliding a little too much instead of moving their feet.
There may be a good reason behind Colorado’s on-ice woes. During the broadcast, VP of Communications and Broadcasting Kevin McGlue said that Colorado had used 53 players during the season. This was due to the amount of injuries that the Colorado Avalanche saw this year as well as their own (Mikhail Maltsev and Jean-Luc Foudy). There were some departures from the team as well, as players left for the KHL mid-season (Daniil Zhuravlyov and Rob Hamilton).
Despite this, the Eagles went on to place third in the division and have a .625 winning percentage during the regular season.
-
Ep 77: Patrick Kane Signs, Goalie Issues, Corey Perry, and More
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 3:05 am
Jim and Chris are back for another Pucks After Dark on Full Press Hockey […]
-
Ep 76: Oilers, Flames, Winter Classic Jersey, Avs, and More
by Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 6:42 am
Jim and Chris are back for another edition of Full Press Hockey Weekly to […]
-
Ep 75: Hockey After Dark
by Full Press Coverage on November 15, 2023 at 3:12 am
Jim and Chris are back for the first edition of Full Press Hockey After […]
-
Around the NHL: Detroit Signs Kane to Vancouver Acquires Zadorov and Where the Goalies At?
by Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
Off to Motown: Patrick Kane Signs with Detroit Red Wings
by Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey […]
-
What's on Russ's Mind: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
by Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Russ Cohen of Full Press Hockey, […]
-
Ep 87: Captain Brad Marchand, New Season Expectations, Bruins Hockey Is Back
by Full Press Coverage on October 11, 2023 at 11:10 pm
Ian and Chris return for the start of the Bruins season as they talk Brad […]
-
Ep 86: David Krejci Announces Retirement
by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Ian and Chris react to David Krejci's retirement. Learn more about your ad […]
-
S5Ep14 - Patrick Kane Signs, Nikita Zadorov Traded, Dean Evason Out, Plus NHL Rumors
by Jim Biringer on December 5, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
S5Ep13 - Patrick Kane Signs with Detroit Red Wings
by Jim Biringer on November 28, 2023 at 5:21 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey in a […]
-
Jets at Avalanche - Wild at Canucks - Devils at Kraken
by Broken Controller Media on December 7, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Hunter Logan Previews Jets at Avalanche, Wild at Canucks, Devils at Kraken […]
-
Ducks at Blackhawks - Flyers at Coyotes - Hurricanes at Flames
by Broken Controller Media on December 7, 2023 at 5:15 pm
Hunter Logan Previews Ducks at Blackhawks, Flyers at Coyotes, Hurricanes […]
-
Blue Jackets at Islanders - Stars at Capitals - Lightning at Predators
by Broken Controller Media on December 7, 2023 at 4:40 pm
Hunter Logan Previews Blue Jackets at Islanders, Stars at Capitals, […]
-
Episode #147: Sloppy October Is Over?
by Full Press Coverage on November 2, 2023 at 8:37 pm
On this edition of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah finish out the […]
-
Episode #146: Spooky Luck
by Full Press Coverage on October 27, 2023 at 4:09 pm
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Mr. Anderson (Sean) and Tina […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 12-7 - The Oilers Stun Carolina 6-1 to Finish the Season Series
by Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Zach Hyman pots a hat trick & Edmonton gets out to a 4-0 start en […]
-
Full Press Panthers - 12-7 - Florida Panthers bounce back at home with win over the Dallas Stars
by Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 2:30 pm
It was a nail-biter in Amerant Bank Arena, but the Panthers and their fans […]
-
Full Press Islanders - 12-6 - This loss was a disgrace
by Full Press Coverage on December 6, 2023 at 5:05 pm
Blowing another 3rd period lead at home to the worst team in the NHL is a […]
-
Full Press Wild - 12-6 - Recapping the Wild win over the Flames.
by Full Press Coverage on December 6, 2023 at 3:05 pm
Win, Calgary, milestones, four in a row. Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 12-6 - The Blackhawks are officially the worst team in the NHL
by Full Press Coverage on December 6, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Recapping the Chicago Blackhawks’ loss against the Nashville Predators, […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 831
by Charlie Saunier on December 6, 2023 at 9:11 am
Ep 831 The Renegades Of Puck Recap 4-3 SO/W At Blackhawks Preview Bolts […]
-
12/5 - MNF Reaction, Endless QB Debates
by Full Press Coverage on December 5, 2023 at 11:28 am
Ian and John discuss the Bengals OT victory over the Jags and more […]
-
12/4 - Chiefs/Packers, Patriots, and Week 13 Reactions
by Full Press Coverage on December 4, 2023 at 5:26 pm
Ian and John discuss the Packers win over the Chiefs, the Patriots […]
-
12/1 - NFL MVP, Week 13 Picks
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 2:18 am
Ian and John discuss the ever-changing MVP race and give their predictions […]
-
11/28 - MNF Reaction, State Of The NFL
by Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 3:49 am
Ian and John react to Monday Night Football and discuss more of the state […]
-
Ep 317: Week 14 Fantasy Football Preview
by Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 4:04 am
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
EP. 263 - NBA Contenders and Pretenders
by Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 12:47 am
Jet and Sap take a look at the NBA standings a quarter of the way through […]
-
12/5 - MNF Reaction, Endless QB Debates
by Full Press Coverage on December 5, 2023 at 11:28 am
Ian and John discuss the Bengals OT victory over the Jags and more […]
-
Ep 199: Week 13 Instant Reactions
by Full Press Coverage on December 4, 2023 at 11:32 pm
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
12/4 - Chiefs/Packers, Patriots, and Week 13 Reactions
by Full Press Coverage on December 4, 2023 at 5:26 pm
Ian and John discuss the Packers win over the Chiefs, the Patriots […]
-
Ep 162: Joe Flacco, Dak Prescott and The MVP, Week 13 Discussion
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 3:58 pm
Ian and Braden discuss Joe Flacco's return, Dak's MVP candidacy, and more […]
-
12/1 - NFL MVP, Week 13 Picks
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 2:18 am
Ian and John discuss the ever-changing MVP race and give their predictions […]
-
Ep 193: Ayako Hamada
by Full Press Coverage on December 2, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Ayako Hamada has had a wide and varied career through AAA, SHIMMER, TNA, […]
Comments 2