Chase Bradley scores two goals in his return from the Colorado Avalanche.
Loveland, CO — The Colorado Eagles wrap up their home stand today with a matinee against the Henderson Silver Knights (VGK). Last night, the Eagles controlled the game and dominated with a 5–2 win. Colorado starts today in a three-way tie for second place in the Pacific Division with 22 points, seven points behind the Calgary Wranglers (CGY). Chase Bradley returns to the lineup today after a brief two-game stint with the Colorado Avalanche. However, the Eagles lost Nikita Prishchepov to a call-up earlier in the day for tonight’s game.
Takeaways
The start of the game was difficult for the Eagles today, just like last night. Oskar Olausson would head to the box just over a minute into the first. This set the tone for the Silver Knights for the entire period, even though they did not have any shots during the power play. Colorado would go almost nine minutes without a shot on the net until Mark Senden broke through.
JAILBREAK!!!!!! Connor Mayer breaks out of the penalty box and takes off with the puck for the shorty! Assist by Megna. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/L9oWYBHnFm
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 30, 2024
Bradley proved late in the game why he was a call-up the last two games for the Avalanche. He scored in back-to-back shifts to open the third period and have his second multi-goal game this season. His game was physical as he was hard on his forecheck and put pressure on the puck carrier. Bradley’s positioning for the first goal, which he scored just 49 seconds into the third, showed he could read the play.
Just 49 seconds into the 3rd, Chase Bradley knocks it into the back of the net for a 3-1 lead! Tynan with the assist. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/OjR4Ia0V5E
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) December 1, 2024
“I think it was back-to-back shifts,” Bradley said. “So I felt good going into the game. My confidence has been up. It’s good to be back. Get back here, learn some stuff up there, but back to work here, and hopefully, I improve even more.”
Welcome back Chase! Bradley with his second of the period!!!! Assists by Olausson and Middleton #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/Y3qHwVa4En
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) December 1, 2024
The Eagles are still putting together wins, even though they are being forced to sit veterans because of the Development Rule. Tonight, Jacob MacDonald was the victim of the rule. Jayson Megna and Calle Rosén have been the others. All three players are in the top five in scoring on the team and the Eagles still make the adjustments.
“They all impact the game in a different way,” said head coach Aaron Scheekloth. “But they’ve all been true professionals in how they’re handling the situation. They’ve all been supporting one another, and we’re winning hockey games with a rotation. So it just says a lot about who they are as people, to accept the fact that we’re in this position. They’re working hard when it’s their day off and keeping themselves ready. So a lot of credit goes to those eight.”
The Eagles put together some momentum with eleven goals in two games and a 6–1 victory on Saturday. They may have struggled to get going in the first period of each game, but they made the corrections and rallied for the victories.
Upcoming
The Eagles head back on the road for two games to the Abbotsford Centre to play the Abbotsford Canucks (VAN) starting on Saturday next weekend at 8 p.m.