Mile High Sports

Special teams make difference as Colorado Eagles drop Game 1 to Chicago Wolves

Brennan Vogt
Eagles

Noel Gunler (10) celebrates taking the lead for the Chicago Wolves late in the second period against the Colorado Eagles on Thursday night. (Photo courtesy of Colorado Eagles)

This story was originally published on Hockey Mountain High, part of the Mile High Sports network.

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LOVELAND, Colo. —  After eight days of rest, the Colorado Eagles opened their first-ever AHL Western Conference Final appearance at home, but fell 3-2 to the visiting Chicago Wolves (CAR). We got a sneak peek of what the series would look like back in February, when the two teams met for four straight games, and now the Eagles will need to right the ship quickly after their Game 1 loss. Games 3, 4 and 5 will be played in the Wolves’ barn, so if the Eagles were to lose Game 2 on Saturday, they’d need to win two out of three straight on the road to bring the series back to Loveland for Game 6.

First period

From the outset, the quick tempo of play was clear. The Eagles put on the pressure early, getting below the goal line and creating chances. As mentioned in our preview, special teams played an important role in the opening frame. After some heavy pressure by the Eagles, the Wolves rushed down the ice and drew a tripping infraction on Sean Behrens. Less than one minute later, Ryan Suzuki threw a shot off Trent Miner’s chest, and Justin Robidas was there to clean up the garbage for the opening goal.

Colorado quickly recovered by getting themselves a pair of power-play opportunities. The second one is the one that paid off, after Skyler Brind’Amour went to the box. T.J. Tynan sent a pass across the ice that was tipped in by Alex Barré-Boulet to tie the game at one goal apiece.

Second period

The middle frame started much like the first, with a ton of speed. Colorado was on the power-play to start, thanks to a Cal Foote hook at the end of the first. Just 30 seconds into the period, Jack Ahcan sped into the zone and passed it to T.J. Hughes for the shot. Tristen Nielsen grabbed the rebound to take a 2–1 lead.

The Wolves evened things up after Taylor Makar was caught on a holding call. Chicago got the puck down low and hesitated, throwing Miner off. Bradly Nadeau snapped a shot right past Miner’s ear for his second of the playoffs and to tie the game back up. As Barré-Boulet later sat in the box for roughing, Chicago converted once again on the chance as Noel Gunler took a bad-angle shot for the 3–2 lead.

“Discipline is obviously something you want to address,” said head coach Mark Letestu. “Penalties happen. This is an emotional game. Sticks are going to get in spots where penalties happen. Penalty kill probably wasn’t as sharp as it has been. Obviously, it’s been very good for us, and the layoff, I think, was one of those things that probably, really helped with some of that, or heard it, should say, you know, but they pose a challenge, they got a good power play unit, we’ll get into the film, we’ll make some adjustments.”

Third period

The final period proved toughest for the Eagles. Chicago went into shutdown mode and played keep-away from the Eagles. Despite outshooting the Wolves 9–2 in the third, Colorado couldn’t find the back of the net. The Eagles found several chances with under two minutes remaining as Miner sat on the bench for the extra man, but they could not get one through Cayden Primeau, as he held strong for the Wolves, who claimed the series opener, 3–2.

Takeaways

Colorado did not allow an even-strength goal the entire game, but allowed three power-play goals. If they can stay disciplined on Saturday, the Eagles should have no issues keeping up with the Wolves. Both teams were trying to use their speed to their advantage, but Colorado used the altitude as another one. Chicago was looking worn down by the middle of the third period, and had the Eagles been tied or had the lead, they could have out-skated them. Having Jack Ahcan back with the Eagles helped their defense tremendously. Obviously, he will eat up a ton of minutes, but he struggled at first after sitting out for the last week with the Colorado Avalanche.

“That’s just some of the reads, some of the offensive plays were there,” said Letestu of Ahcan. “And just the amount that we’re putting him on the ice, I think it’s there’s there’s an acclimation period to it, but I thought he was an effective player, you know, him like a lot of guys, I think there’s there’s a little bit more, right, but game one, tight game, it’s gonna be a long series.”

Up next

Colorado will battle in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday night at 6 p.m. MT in Loveland. Channel 3 in Denver and AHLTV on FloHockey.com will stream the game.

Mark Letestu interview May 28, 2026

 

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