Condors unable to complete Eagles sweep as they lose 2-1 in Colorado

February had gotten off to a strong start for the Condors, with wins in four of their first five games of the month. Unfortunately for everyone concerned, they were unable to make it five wins out of six on Wednesday night in Colorado.

One night after beating the Eagles 2-1, the Condors lost by the same scoreline in front of a crowd of 5,089 at Blue Arena. It ended a streak of 12 consecutive games scoring at least two goals, with the last time it happened ironically coming versus the same opponent at the same venue.

The Condors' best period was the opening one, as they controlled the game and outshot their hosts 11-6. However, they were unable to take advantage of their dominance and the game was still tied at 0-0 through 20 minutes.

Finally a goal for the Condors

Colin Chaulk's team finally broke through just under seven minutes into the middle period, courtesy of Adam Erne. Max Wanner had the initial long range shot which was saved, but after a mad scramble in front of the Eagles net Erne poked the puck home for a 1-0 lead.

Despite the adulation of finally scoring a goal, the lead lasted less than two minutes before Ivan Ivan tied the game at 1-1. It was almost a mirror image of the buildup to the Condors goal, with Ivan eventually putting home his ninth AHL goal of the season.

Despite the goal, Jack Campbell was at his best during a second period where the Eagles outshot the visitors 16-7. As a result as his efforts, the game entered the final 20 minutes tied at 1-1.

No answer in the third period

The Condors and Campbell managed to hold on until just past the midway point of the third period, before the Eagles took their first lead of the game. Corey Schueneman shot through a sea of bodies from range, for the 2-1 advantage at the 10:34 mark.

It was a shot which statistically usually has no business resulting in a goal. However, it is to Campbell and the Condors' misfortune, that this was the one time it did find the back of the net.

The Condors had no answer as time wound down, and the game finished 2-1 to the hosts. Eagles players took home all Three Stars on the night, but the game is also noteworthy for Campbell impressing in stopping 30 of the 32 shots he faced.

The game was marked by the rare occurrence of the Condors losing after taking a lead. They are now 14-4-2 this season, in games where they score the first goal.

As a result of the defeat the Condors remain in sixth place in the Pacific Division, but with at least two games in hand on everyone above them in the standings. They now return home this weekend for two games, versus the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday night and a rematch with the Condors on Sunday late afternoon.

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