After back-to-back games at home against the Tucson Roadrunners (UTA), the Eagles flew to Arizona for two more back-to-back games against the same team. They once again split the series, but flipped the script last weekend, losing the first game and winning the second.

Saturday: 3–1 loss

Before playing the Eagles last week, Tucson goalie Jaxson Stauber hadn’t won a game all season. He came into that weekend with a 3.72 GAA and a save percentage of .854. His tendency to give up huge rebounds should have made for easy pickings. He thwarted the Eagles twice in a row — once last weekend in Loveland, and again this weekend in Tucson. In Loveland, he earned his first shutout in the last two seasons, stopping all 32 shots he faced. And on Saturday night in Tucson, he allowed only one goal all night, helping his team secure a 3-1 victory over the Eagles. Ivan Ivan scored his second goal of the year, which was Colorado’s lone goal.

Sunday: 5–2 victory

The Eagles lineup featured two new names tonight: Nikita Prishchepov, who was finally cleared to play after suffering an injury in preseason, and Luke Toporowski, who was acquired from the Hershey Bears (WAS) in exchange for Garrett Pyke. The game started off with a bang as the teams scored a combined three goals in the first 2:14 of the game. Two for Colorado and one for Tucson. Tye Felhaber scored this goal six minutes later after Tucson goalie Matthew Villalta mishandled the puck.

The Eagles scored once in the second. Tucson scored once in the third. Tye Felhaber then finished the night with an empty-net goal.

Observations

Tye Felhaber has been outstanding, scoring four goals against Tucson between the two series. The Eagles’ power play continues to struggle on the road, despite being good enough at home to rank second in the league overall. Their penalty kill was perfect through nine Tucson power plays. Nikita Prishchepov had no points, but Luke Toporowski had two assists in the first game with the Eagles.

Up Next

The Eagles head home for Thanksgiving. They face the San Jose Barracuda (SJ) in back-to-back matinees on Friday and Saturday. AHLTV on FloHockey.com will stream the game.