Eagles Claim Sixth-Straight Win with 5-2 Triumph over Reign
Feb 2, 2024
ONTARIO, CA. – Colorado forward Cal Burke netted a pair of goals, while forward Ivan Ivan and defenseman Brad Hunt also registered multi-point nights, as the Eagles won their sixth-consecutive contest with a 5-2 victory over the Ontario Reign on Friday. Goaltender Justus Annunen made 30 saves on 32 shots to earn the win in net, while Colorado finished the night going 1-for-4 on the power play and a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. The victory now moves the Eagles into a tie with the Abbotsford Canucks for fourth place in the AHL’s Pacific Division.
After failing to convert on a power play opportunity, Colorado would finally connect during a stretch of 4-on-4 play, as forward Oskar Olausson streaked down the right-wing boards before cutting to the slot and lighting the lamp with a wrister. The goal was Olausson’s 11th of the season and gave the Eagles a 1-0 edge with 1:36 remaining in the first period.
Still leading 1-0 as the puck dropped on the middle frame, Colorado would get a quick boost from Burke, as he tracked down his own rebound in the low slot and swept the puck past Ontario goalie Aaron Dell, pushing the Eagles advantage to 2-0 at the 2:11 mark.
Burke would strike again when he took advantage of a modified breakaway from the blue line, as he tucked a shot past the outstretched leg of Dell, putting Colorado up 3-0 with 11:14 remaining in the second stanza.
The Reign would fight back at the 16:30 mark of the period, as defenseman Brandt Clarke camped out on top of the crease before deflecting a shot from the point into the back of the net. The goal was the rookie’s eighth of the season and sliced the deficit to 3-1.
A power play would expand the Eagles lead, as forward Peter Holland smashed home a cross crease pass from Chris Wagner, giving Colorado a 4-1 advantage at the 8:22 mark of the third period.
Ontario would answer back just 57 seconds later when forward Colton Young tipped a shot from the blue line, sending it past Annunen and cutting the Eagles lead to 4-2.
As time wound down, the Reign would pull Dell in favor of the extra attacker, but it would be Colorado forward Cedric Pare who would capitalize with an empty-netter, making it 5-2 with just 23 seconds left in the contest. Dell suffered the loss in net, allowing four goals on 20 shots.
The Eagles will be back in action when they travel to take on the San Diego Gulls on Saturday, February 3rd at 7:00pm MT at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. Tickets for all regular season games are on sale now and start at just $23. You can find more information on ticket packages, theme nights, and promotional offers, by visiting ColoradoEagles.com or by calling the ticket department at (970) 686-7468.
