PALM DESERT, Calif — Though experiencing great success and lots of chemistry on the ice, the Colorado Eagles have been struggling to stay healthy. T.J. Tynan and Matt Steinburg returned to the lineup against the Coachella Valley Firebirds (SEA) after significant time away, both welcome additions.

A skate blade to the quad sidelined Tynan for several games a few weeks ago. Steinburg, who has been absent since November, also made his return. Despite not having hat tricks as a welcome back, both players had shining moments.

With their help, the Eagles claimed a 3–1 victory and are well on their way to a Division Title.

Colorado needed a bounce-back game after a rude wake up call in the series against Ontario on Saturday and Sunday. The pair of losses poked holes in every aspect of the otherwise dominating team.

Previously, Coachella Valley would have been viewed as a rival of the Eagles. The two teams spent most of the season wrestling for a top spot in the Pacific Division. While Colorado remained the only team in the division to clinch a bid to the Calder Cup Playoffs after a clutch goal from Jere Innala, the Firebirds fell from second place to fourth.

The Ontario Reign (LAK) and Abbotsford Canucks (VAN) both moved ahead of Coachella Valley, and both could earn their own spot in the postseason in their respective contests.

Takeaways

The display in Palm Desert was miles ahead of where they were the previous weekend. The lineup cut down on unnecessary penalties and had more direction on the ice.

Jayson Megna netted his 16th of the season on an unassisted wrist shot in the first period. His goal didn’t incite as much fire as in other games, but still gave Colorado a good jumping off point with a 1–0 lead.

The one place the team has consistently struggled is in the penalty box. Unnecessary penalties have repeatedly changed the game’s momentum. The team looked down that path with an exchange of penalties in the middle of the second period, only followed by Tye Felhaber in the box for an unsportsmanlike conduct infraction.

Luckily for the team, goaltender Trent Miner has been having a solid season and saving the lineup from more than one hole they could not dig themselves out of.

Defenseman Devante Stephens also had a notable night, registering his third goal on the season to bring the game up to 2–0. He was assisted by Jason Polin and Stienburg.

Colorado gets caught sleeping at the wrong times, and this game was no different. While sitting pretty on a two goal lead, the team let the Firebirds get too close to the goal and it brought the game within one.

A stroke of luck kept the game swinging in the favor of Colorado. A goaltender interference call reversed another goal on the heels of the first by mere seconds.

As the postseason creeps closer and closer, the Eagles will have to limit their mistakes further than they have been and focus on staying healthy while bringing teammates back to the ice.

Upcoming

The Eagles will return home for a four game home stand starting on Friday, April 4 against the San Jose Barracuda At Blue Arena in Loveland. The game will be available to stream on AHLTV on FloHockey.com.