Condors return to winning ways as they beat Eagles 4-2 on the road

If you were looking for a game with lots of memorable moments, then Wednesday night's matchup between the Condors and Eagles had plenty. Of course getting the two points was the most important thing, but there were plenty of highlights in the 4-2 win at Blue Arena in Colorado.

In this respect, the Condors bounced back from a tough 2-1 loss in the same building a night earlier, which had stopped their points streak at nine games. Now, it remains to be seen if Wednesday's win can start a similarly impressive run of points.

For all the criticism Jack Campbell has endured this season, he deserves significant praise for his performance versus the Eagles. On a night when the Condors were outplayed and outshot 34-23, he managed to stop 32 of the shots he faced.

Similarly to a night earlier, the Eagles did all of their damage in the opening period and held a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. They took the lead after 13:32, when Tanner Kero scored following a flurry of action around the Condors net.

However, the lead lasted a mere 19 seconds, before Markus Niemelainen tied things up with this first AHL goal of the season. It was also notable for Drake Caggiula recording the primary assist, although there was more to come from the Condors' points leader.

The Eagles were soon back in front again, as Spencer Smallman scored at the 17:02 mark to make it 2-1. There was nothing Campbell could do about the goal, as it came via a deflection.

Shutting up shop

That would be the last time the Condors' embattled goalie would be beaten however, with him going on to stop all 22 shots he faced during the final 40 minutes. Meanwhile, his teammates rediscovered their scoring touch just one night after only managing one goal.

Greg McKegg tied things up for a second time just before the halfway point of the game. The way the Condors' alternate captain negotiated his way through the Eagles defence from the right wing was a sight to behold, before he calmly finished to make it 2-2.

Then came the goal which would ultimately prove to be the game-winner, as Caggiula scored his sixth goal of the season after 13:20 of the middle period. He now has 22 points on the season for the Condors, in 21 games.

Historic moment

Of special significance though, Caggiula couldn't miss after a perfect setup from Seth Griffith. As a result of the primary helper, Griffith tied the Condors all-time record of 188 AHL points by a player, achieved in his 201st game.

The Condors battened up the hatches in the final period, playing a more defensive game as they looked to hold onto their 3-2 lead. Although it should be noted they could have made things easier on themselves overall on the night, if they hadn't gone 0-for-5 on the power play.

Regardless, the visitors finally finished the game off with 48 seconds remaining, courtesy of an empty netter from Dylan Holloway that made it 4-2. Holloway now has four points in four games since his return from injury, and you imagine he will be getting recalled to the Oilers sooner than later.

Campbell looking better

Talking of returning to the Oilers, it should be noted Campbell has been playing better of late. He's won his past three starts, allowing two goals each time and recording an impressive overall .942 save percentage.

Not that the Oilers will want to mess with their current roster, with Calvin Pickard providing solid backup to Stuart Skinner and the team on a 11-game winning streak. Regardless, it is at least a positive that Campbell has finally woken up and found some form, after being replaced by Olivier Rodrigue as the Condors' number one in goal.

With the win the Condors improve to 16-11-3 and even though they remain eighth in the Pacific Division, they have the eight-best points percentage in the Western Conference as a whole. They now return home for a big game on Saturday night, versus the Calgary Wranglers.

Recent Posts