For the Colorado Eagles, the month of April saw the conclusion of the 2025-26 regular season with eight games, four away and then four back at home. Unfortunately, going only 3-4-1 in those games meant the Eagles allowed the Ontario Reign to pull away and secure the Pacific Division crown. However with a final record of 41-20-11, Colorado still earned the second seed and the right to host the lowest seed in a three-game first round play-in at home in Loveland.
Starting on Wednesday, April 22nd Colorado
hosts that seventh seed in the San Diego Gulls for the aforementioned three-game series. All games will be at Blue Arena so no travel needed, though San Diego will be designated the home team for Game 2 on Friday, April 24th. If a third game is needed that will be on Sunday, April 26th. Should Colorado advance they will have home ice in a best-of-five series against the second lowest seeded team in the Pacific division to advance out of the first round play-in.
Wrapping up regular season play there was a handful of players who made the most of their final eight games and deserve recognition for their efforts.
First Star – Ivan Ivan – 66 GP: 11G, 15A, 16P
The 23-year-old forward started the month of April with a bang scoring two goals and an assist. He proceeded to stay hot through the next several weeks finishing with four goals and two assists through the final eight games. For the season Ivan finished with 26 points. While that points total might seem modest, even with zero power play points Ivan holds the highest season total on the Eagles from anyone still on an Entry Level Contract (aka still considered a prospect). This contract expires this summer and it is unclear what, if any, plans the Avalanche have for Ivan moving forward.
Second Star – Gavin Brindley – 9 GP: 2G, 4A, 6P
In his nine game AHL season after getting sent down from the Avalanche, Gavin Brindley took a little time to get going but finished strong with a three-point outing. As a majority of the veterans were sitting after the Eagles’ playoff seeding was locked in, it afforded Brindley more opportunity to shine as he scored this goal, added two assists on eight shots on goal that evening. Hopefully Brindley continues to see that type of usage into the postseason.
Third Star – Tristen Nielsen – 66 GP: 28G, 21A, 49P
The 26-year-old veteran forward was a consistent performer with the Eagles setting a career high with 49 points and finished fifth on the team in scoring. In the month of April, his seven points over six games also helped the Eagles maintain their playoff seeding.
