The Colorado Eagles celebrate their 8-0 victory over the San Jose Barracuda at the Budweiser Events Center on Tuesday MAR 21, 2023. (Colorado Eagles)
by Marko Ukalovic
The Colorado Eagles used seven different goal scorers, including two from Mikhail Maltsev, as they routed the San Jose Barracuda in a 8-0 shutout victory on Tuedsay evening at the Budweiser Events Center.
San Jose has lost two out of its last three games as it fights for the seventh and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division, currently held by the Tucson Roadrunners. Colorado has won three out of its last four games and is on four-game point streak as they hold on to fourth place in the division.
Colorado (33-20-5-3-74 points) scored early and often in the opening frame as they tallied for four games in the period. Ryan Wagner got the party started at the 6:35 mark when he scored his fifth goal of the season. Callahan Burke picked up the only assist on the goal.
Just over two minutes later Riley McCourt scored his first goal of the season at the 8:39 mark. Alex Beaucage and Ben Meyers has the helpers on McCourt’s goal.
The Eagles finished off the first period with two late goals. Maltsev scored his first of the night, his sixth of the season, at the 15:26 mark. Charles Hudson and Cedric Pare were credited with the assists.
David Farrance scored his third goal of the season with 31 seconds remaining in the opening frame as Meltsev and Burke set up Farrance who beat ‘Cuda starting goalie Aaron Dell with a wrist shot. Dell gave up four goals on 14 shots.
San Jose (26-30-1-4-57 points) was badly dominated by Colorado in the opening 20 minutes, despite having two power play opportunities, as they were out shot 14-5.
‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy spelled Dell for the rest of the game as he sent out Strauss Mann to start out the second period. Mann didn’t fare any better as he also gave up four goals to the Eagles.
Hudson scored his team leading 22nd goal of the season on the power play to give Colorado a 5-0 lead early in the second period. Farrance and Meyers receieved assists on Hudson’s goal that came at the 4:48 mark.
Maltsev scored his second goal, also Colorado’s second goal with the man advantage, at the 14:48 mark.
The fireworks continued for the Eagles Sampo Ranta scored his ninth goal of the season at the 16:26 mark.
Beaucage completed the scoring with his eighth goal of the season with 55 seconds left in the middle frame.
Colorado took their foot off the gas pedal in the final frame as they cruised the final 20 minutes as both teams combined for just 13 shots.
Eagles goalie Keith Kinkaid stopped all 21 shots he faced to pickup the shutout victory. Mann made 17 saves on 21 shots in mop up duty.
GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Colorado was 2-for-5.
The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Kinkaid 2) Maltsev 3) Farrance
UP NEXT: San Jose and Colorado complete their two-game series on Wednesday 3/22 at 6:05pm at the Budweiser Events Center.
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