As the saying goes, "it's better to be lucky than good." The Colorado Eagles were both lucky and good when they needed it the most this past Saturday night.
When we woke Saturday morning, we saw the Eagles in 5th place in the Pacific Division and one point behind Tucson. The top four teams in the division are the ones moving on to the postseason, so the Eagles were on the outside looking in and needed a "perfect storm" to advance. That meant the Eagles had to win in regulation against a team fighting for the division title, The San Jose Barracuda. We also needed Tucson to lose in regulation at home against a team they beat the night before, the San Diego Gulls. Cue Al Michaels and his "do you believe in miracles?"
The Eagles pounded San Jose all night and were ahead 3-0 with about 3 minutes left in the game. Two very late goals by San Jose made it close, but the Eagles held on for a 3-2 win. An hour later, it was a final in Tucson. San Diego 4, Tucson 3....in regulation. The perfect storm was complete and the Eagles advance to the Calder Cup Playoffs!
As we celebrate yet another postseason birth, we are also aware that being a 4th seed has its disadvantages. The Eagles will face the regular season division champ, the Bakersfield Condors in a best of five. Here's the schedule:
Game 1 – Bakersfield at Colorado – Friday, April 19 at 7:05pm (Round 1 Game A)
Game 2 – Bakersfield at Colorado – Saturday, April 20 at 7:05pm (Round 1 Game B)
Game 3 – Colorado at Bakersfield – Tuesday, April 23 at 8:00pm
Game 4* – Colorado at Bakersfield – Saturday, April 27 at 8:00pm
Game 5* – Colorado at Bakersfield – Sunday, April 28 at 6:00pm
*If necessary
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