Aggressive Offense Gives Colorado Eagles an Electric Preseason Weekend
Eagles hockey is officially off and running in Northern Colorado after their preseason weekend sweep of the San Jose Barracuda.
After an incredible comeback on Saturday, Oct. 9, with the Eagles scoring three goals in the last three minutes, the final goal coming with just 40 seconds left of regulation.
In Sunday's matinee, the Eagles looked composed, aggressive, and incredibly well-balanced on the ice. The offensive pressure was obvious without looking at the numbers, but if that's more your speed: the Eagles took 40 shots at San Jose's goaltender versus the Barracuda's 15.
Early in the game, San Jose beat the Eagles to the board with an early goal in the first period. Colorado had a fair few misses in the first 15 minutes with crosses to the front of the goal being miffed by just milliseconds.
By the time the second period rolled around, the Eagles fit into each other's groove and it felt like the team was skating with one mind. Out of the four goals Colorado had, only one came from a power play.
The Eagles played two goaltenders on the night and both Justus Annunen and Peyton Jones showed incredible poise and presence in the net.
While Colorado had a 4-1 victory over the Barracuda, two of those came Alex Beaucage, a new face this season for the Eagles. Both of the goals came from quick reactions and deflections, capitalizing on a San Jose defense that was caught on their heels.
"We played fast and we got a lot of O-zone time and we capitalized on those chances," Beaucage said. "I think we showed a couple of things that are working really well."
As the Eagles travel to Henderson next weekend for their first regular-season match-up and prepare to face off against the Barracuda again in Colorado's regular-season home opener, fans should be prepared to watch an incredibly well-rounded and fiercely competitive team this season.
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