The Colorado Eagles are the best team in the Western Conference right now. After 16 games played this season, the Eagles have only three regulation losses, and an overall record of 12–3–0–1. Several players think they possess the talent to proceed past the Division Finals this season. They even believe that they have the talent to win the Calder Cup. And they very well could be if they continue the way they are doing things.
“Coming into this year, we got a lot of returning guys,” said captain Jayson
Megna. “And I think the expectation remains the same, which is that we want to win a championship here, and feel like we have the team to do it. We have the pieces.”
The Players
The Eagles feature top AHL players this season. Forward TJ Tynan is third in the league in points, and he has done it all with assists. Nine of those points have come on the power play for the alternate captain. His veteran experience allows him to perceive the ice uniquely on the team. Tristen Nielsen is third in the AHL with nine goals At the end of October the Colorado Avalanche signed Nielsen to a two-way contract after an impressive start to the year. Nielsen’s 14 points in 16 games have been vital to waking up the Eagles’ offense, especially against his former team, the Abbotsford Canucks (VAN). He scored three goals in two games against the Calder Cup Champions. Rookie goaltender Isak Posch has been the biggest surprise this season. In our “Top 25 Under 25” series, Posch only received an honorable mention. So far this season, Posch has a 7–2–2–2 record (first among rookies) and has the second-best goals-allowed average at 1.90 goals per game.
The Team
The Eagles have the opposite problem of the Colorado Avalanche right now. They have the second-best power play at 29.2 percent and have converted 14 of their 48 chances. The Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) sit at a whopping 34.9 percent in first place in the AHL. Colorado’s penalty kill also ranks second in the league. They have killed 88.5 of their penalties and are not far behind the Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) at 89.2 percent.
Almost a quarter of the way through the AHL season (72 games) and the Eagles already hold a sizable lead over their opposition. In the Western Conference, Colorado has a four-point lead over the Griffins. Grand Rapids has five games in hand over the Eagles, though. In the Pacific Division, Colorado has a seven-point lead over the Calgary Wranglers (CGY). Acquiring more points now benefits Colorado later. If they continue at this pace, they will cruise to their second division title in as many years.
