The Eagles gave the first place Wranglers 5–2 beatdown to open the home stand.
Loveland, CO — The Colorado Eagles have come home after a successful road trip to California, bringing home six points. This is the first time that the Eagles have seen an almost fully healthy roster since the beginning of the year. Because Scott Wedgewood suffered an ankle injury, the Colorado Avalanche recalled Trent Miner, perhaps for a couple of weeks. Tonight, Colorado takes on the first place Calgary Wranglers (CGY). Here are the takeaways from the 5–2 victory over the Wranglers.
Matthew Phillips nails the shot for the Eagles on the PP with just 2 seconds left. Rosén and Olausson on the assists #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/uUCxlR96D3
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) January 11, 2025
Takeaways
The Eagles were very strong on the puck tonight. They dominated puck possession and made it near to impossible for the Wranglers to get anything going in the first half of the game. The only time that Colorado had an issue controlling the puck was in the first period during their first power play. They had a few sloppy passes and former Avalanche Dryden Hunt stole the puck and took off for the shorthanded goal. Matthew Phillips would payback the goal just a moment later on the same power play. Later in the third period, Colorado was again on the power play and gave up a shorthanded goal.
Mark Senden hits his 5th of the year for the Eagles lead!!!! Wagner and Stephens on the helpers #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/YD7lzQI6vg
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) January 11, 2025
Goaltender Adam Scheel has been a pleasant surprise this season. He signed an AHL contract over the summer with the Eagles and has been with them since Kevin Mandolese got injured in December. He has yet to have to lose a game in any of his four starts and maintains a .927 save percentage. Scheel is giving the Eagles something to think about once Miner returns to the team. Do they do a three goalie rotation or two? His agility and quickness in the net has given the Eagles a chance every time he plays in the net.
TING!!!!! Captain Megna rails his 9th of the season with some help from Nikita Prishchepov and Matthew Phillips #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/HXGkUfE73W
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) January 11, 2025
“I like the fact that after we responded it didn’t it didn’t break us,” said head coach Aaron Schneekloth. “Especially the first one, ‘we come back and Phil says, we’ll go down and score a big goal for us to get us back in it.”
Jason Polin buries his 5th of the season to give the Eagles a three goal lead. Assists from Bradley and Wise. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/VXxlwdh2hZ
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) January 11, 2025
Jake Wise has been a player that came out of nowhere this season. Tonight, he had an assist to tally his 17th point in 24 games. Wise has got from a professional tryout to a contract and now someone that the Eagles depend on to drive the offense.
“When I was coming out of school, I was kind of down to Colorado, Charlotte, or, remember, ultimately ended up going to Charlotte,” said Wise. “So I was really happy when this opportunity came up beginning of this year.”
Upcoming
The Eagles will take on the Calgary Wranglers on Saturday night at Blue Arena in Loveland at 7 pm.