PALM DESERT, Calif. — Tonight could be one of the most important games of the season for the Colorado Eagles. They take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds (SEA), who they are currently in a two-way tie with for first in the Pacific Division. Colorado has two games in hand but they burned one tonight. The playoff picture is taking shape as the Eagles stand with a first-round bye for the moment. The Eagles’ defense locked everything down and the special teams came through. They played one of their most dominate games this season. A battle of birds would end with the Eagles 4–1 victory and sole possession of first place. Here are the takeaways from the victory over the Firebirds.
Chase Bradley tips his 12th goal of the season in past Nikke Kokko to open the scoring for the night. Ivan (5) and Polin (4) with the assists #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/MYSwJdNQn4
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) March 13, 2025
Takeaways
In the first period, the Eagles took a few minutes to wake up. Head coach Aaron Schneekloth has repeatedly mentioned that this team needs to play a full 60 minutes, and it was looking like they were not going to. The Firebirds were flooding the zone early, but the Eagles got a handle on things. The Eagles shut down zone entries for the Firebirds to cause multiple turnovers leading to Chase Bradley’s 12th of the year.
Chris Wagner with a nice toe drag to get around the goalie and net his 13th goal of the season. T.J. Tynan (37) and Jack Ahcan (29) with the helpers. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/eAwOSnQs1M
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) March 13, 2025
The defense stepped up the entire game. They held the point, rotated with forwards on offense, and played odd-man rushes perfectly. Even after turnovers, Bryan Yoon and other young players remained poised. Yoon was the only defenseman back on an odd-man rush in the second but remained calm and pokechecked the puck away. He did not play the body at all, which would have risked the man getting around him.
Ivan (6) with the dump in and Bradley (6) helps along the wall for Polin (9) to chip the puck to the top shelf and the 2 goal lead. All three of them have two point nights!!!! #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/JvRVWsvjIK
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) March 13, 2025
Trent Miner is having a career year. Miner already has five more wins than he did last season, with 17 more games to go. The young Canadian has played in nine more games than last season, despite seeing an extended stay with the Colorado Avalanche. His 2.12 goals allowed average is third best in the AHL and best in the Western Conference. If anyone is going to carry this team deep into the playoffs, it will be Miner.
Trent Miner is ranked 3rd among all goalies in the AHL #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/DVL1wAYJtH
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) March 13, 2025
Upcoming
The Eagles continue the road trip by traveling to take on the San Diego Gulls on Friday at the Pechanga Arena at 8 p.m. MT. AHLTV on FloHockey.com will stream the game.
