ONTARIO, Ca. – Chris Knowlton scoring the first goal at 7:47 of the first period in Game six in the Pacific Division semi-final against the Ontario Reign and the stellar play of Eagles goalie, Clark Saunders, were the only positives for the Colorado Eagles in last night’s four to one loss . The remaining 52 minutes and 53 seconds of the game were a lesson in futility both for the Colorado team and their fans.
Not the juggling of lines, the attempts at physical play, nor the bold effort of pulling the goalie for an extra attacker with more than four minutes left in the game could break through the wall of mediocrity displayed by the Colorado Eagles in this losing effort.
This team has to move beyond the first round playoff losses that have plagued the Eagles since the move to the ECHL,. Playing not to lose is no way to win a game in any professional league and that is what it appeared the Eagles game plan was tonight.
Knowlton’s goal to get things started was initiated by a nice pass out to the front of the net by Vitaljis Pavlovs and Knowlton hammered it home to put the Eagles up 1-0.
Chris Knowlton #22 and Kyle Bygos #4
However things quickly began to go down hill for the visitors when Judd Blackwater tied the game at 14:31 on a brilliant cross ice pass from Reign forward David Rutherford.
In the second period, the Eagles game plan seemed to be to keep it close for the remainder of regulation time and then steal the game late instead of pushing the offense to get the lead back and actually win the game. Needless to say the only scoring in the middle frame resulting from that strategy belonged to to the opposition. Matt Register scored the go ahead goal assisted by Rutherford and Garry Nunn at 12:34 and the Reign never looked back.
What should still have been a very winnable game for the Eagles –  only down one goal with a whole twenty minutes to play – became a painful continuation of the try not to lose philosophy. Blackwater tallied late in the final period for a score of 3-1 and immediately gooned it up and was sent to the box for roughing. Colorado brought Clark Saunders to the bench for the extra attacker and Ontario sealed the deal with a short handed empty net goal less than a minute into the two man advantage.
With the scoreboard showing 4-1 for the Reign a frustrated Colin Bowman took a charging minor at 16:58 to leave the Eagles on the penalty kill for most of the remaining minutes of the game .
The loss yields another opportunity for the Eagles to make good on the promise of their regular season success and win their first ECHL playoff series tonight at 7:00 P.M. PDT, April 28 at Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, Ca.
Contact the author/photographer at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.