The Colorado Eagles wrapped up a four-game road trip with a weekend set against the Henderson Silver Knights (VGK). To say that the two teams dislike each other is putting it nicely. Not only are they division rivals in the AHL, but the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights also fuel the hatred. With the victory on Saturday night, first-year head coach Mark Letestu secured his spot as the Pacific Division’s All-Star Classic head coach. The Eagles would also see an end to their six-game point streak, but they still maintain a two point lead in the division.

Saturday Night: 5–2 victory

It looked as though it was going to be a great game for the Eagles with an excellent start to the game. The team’s attacks on the net occurred as one unit. The goal by Jayson Megna, his team-leading 16th of the year, displayed that. Colorado came in on the rush and caught Henderson on the change. Megna used his speed, exploiting the individual’s arrival from the bench to attempt the shot. He went bar down and set the tone for the period. About five minutes later, Colorado had a power play chance, and it was some of the best puck movement all season. It opened up Ronnie Attard for the one-timer at the top of the slot and the two-goal lead.

Turnovers became the death of the Eagles in the second period. The Silver Knights pressured the Eagles in their own zone until they turned over the puck twice. Henderson saw something in Isak Posch since they kept trying wraparound shots. Their fourth attempt finally succeeded after stealing the puck and tied the game at two.

The Eagles answered back with three goals in the third period from Danil Gushchin, T. J. Tynan, and Tristen Nielsen. The major difference in the last frame was that Colorado put the pressure on Henderson. Gushchin’s goal during the power play gave the Eagles the momentum for the period too. And finally, Tynan, after tallying 24 assists this season, got his first goal of the year.

Sunday Night: 4–3 loss

Sunday night was a tough one for the Eagles. A goal by Henderson three minutes into gameplay shifted game momentum in their direction early on. Posch believed he possessed the puck; however, it traveled off his back and into the goal. Maroš Jedlička, who has played since the beginning of last month, notched his first goal of the season on a short side shot. Five minutes later, Tanner Laczynski converted on the power play in only five seconds after Henderson sent Matt Stienburg to the box for holding.

The middle frame turned into all Eagles as they outshot the Silver Knights 14–6. Jedlička tallied his second of the night on a redirected shot from Keaton Middleton to tie the game at two. It would be Jedlička’s first professional multi-goal game of his career (39 games). Exactly three minutes later, Alex Barré-Boulet nailed his 10th of the season for the Eagles’ first lead of the night.

The Eagles would try to fight back in the third, but mistakes cost them the game. They were letting the Silver Knights into the zone and getting clear shots on Posch. Unfortunately, the rookie goaltender, who has been stellar all season, had trouble closing the gaps on Sunday. The killer for the Eagles was another turnover in their own zone. Much like on Saturday, Henderson took the puck right off the stick and ran to the net unchallenged. Turnovers made the difference in this series, but the Eagles were lucky enough to come out on top on Saturday.

Up Next

The Eagles will come home to Loveland to take on the San Diego Gulls (ANA) for a two-game set starting on Friday, January 9th at 7 p.m. MT. Denver KCDO Local 3 and AHLTV on FloHockey.com will stream the game.