SAN JOSE, CA. – Colorado goaltender Jonas Johansson made 28 saves on 29 shots to earn his fourth-straight start in net, as the Eagles defeated the San Jose Barracuda 3-1 on Sunday. Forwards Ben Tardif, Charles Hudon and Anton Blidh each found the back of the net in the victory, as Colorado picked up three of a possible four points in the team’s two-game set in San Jose.
William Eklund (72) drives to break up a rush by Anton Bidh (36) – Photo by Jack Lima
Colorado would get on the board first when Tardif raced into the zone, fielding a cross-slot pass in the left-wing circle and snapping it home. The goal was Tardif’s first in the American Hockey League and gave the Eagles a 1-0 edge with 5:30 remaining in the first period. Colorado would go on to outshoot the Barracuda 17-3 in the opening 20 minutes and carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Ryan Wagner (13) and Montana Onyebuchi (79) fight for control of the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
The second period would see the Eagles continue to generate opportunities, including 1:26 of a 5-on-3 power play. Barracuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi would hold strong, however, and the two teams would head to the second intermission with Colorado still in possession of a 1-0 advantage.
Nick Cicek (59) cross checks Charles Hudson (54) in front of goalie Eetu Makiniemi (32) – Photo by Jack Lima
A power play would help stretch the Eagles lead when Hudon was knocked to the ice in the low slot but managed to spin and fire the puck into the back of the net on the way down. The goal was Hudon’s team-leading seventh of the season and put Colorado up 2-0 at the 8:16 mark of the final frame.
San Jose would pull Makiniemi with five minutes remaining in the contest to bring out the extra attacker, but it would be Eagles forward Anton Blidh who would capitalize with an empty-netter at the 17:28 mark of the period.
Nick Cicek (59) and Spencer Smallman (38) follow the puck into the corner – Photo by Jack Lima
A holding penalty on Spencer Smallman would give the Barracuda a power play in the final minute of regulation and San Jose forward Tristen Robins would take advantage, as he lit the lamp with a wrister from the top of the right-wing circle with only 35 seconds left to play in the contest.
Colorado put up a season-high 37 shots on net in the contest, holding the Barracuda to just 29 shots. The Eagles finished the game 1-for-4 on the power play, while San Jose also converted one of their four opportunities on the man-advantage.
Montana Onyebuchi (79) shoves Callahan Burke (68) away from goalie Eetu Makiniemi – Photo by Jack Lima
Justin Scott (20) checks Patrick Sieloff – Photo by Jack Lima
Jean-Luc Foudy (93) reaches for the puck as Derrick Pouliot (55) pursues – Photo by Jack Lima
Jean-Luc Foudy (93) checks Nick Cicek (59) off the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
Jean-Luc Foudy (93) and Nick Cicek (59) chase the puck in the corner – Photo by Jack Lima
Jasper Weatherby (14), Spencer Smallman (38), Montana Onyebuchi (79), and Alex Beaucage (74), chase the puck into the corner – Photo by Jack Lima
Charles Hudson (54) attempts to control the puck in front of Patrick Sieloff (93) – Photo by Jack Lima
Ben Tardif’s (64) shot hits the back of the net to beat goalie Eetu Makiniemi to open the scoring in the first period – Photo by Jack Lima
Barracuda’s goalie Eetu Makiniemi
Barracuda’s goalie Eetu Makiniemi reaches for the puck in front of Eagles forward Oskar Olausson (25) – Photo by Jack Lima
Barracuda’s goalie Eetu Makiniemi makes glove save as Andrew Agozzino (26) and Mikhail Maltsev (57) look for a rebound – Photo by Jack Lima
Barracuda’s defenseman Ryan Merkley looks to control the puck after a faceoff – Photo by Jack Lima
Barracuda’s defenseman Patrick Sieloff (93) moves the puck away from Ryan Wagner (13) and teammate Montana Onyebuchi (79) – Photo by Jack Lima
Barracuda’s defenseman Luke Johnson (76) breaks up a shot attempt by Charles Hudson (54) – Photo by Jack Lima
Artemi Kniazev (Left) breaks up a shot attempt by Callahan Burke (68) on Barracuda’s goalie Eetu Makiniemi – Photo by Jack Lima
Andrew Agozzino (26) and Mikhail Maltsev (57) look to control the puck after a faceoff – Photo by Jack Lima
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