Mile High Sticking
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Colorado Avalanche ECHL Affiliate, Colorado Eagles, Win Second Kelly Cup in a Row

By Thomas Janz

LOVELAND, CO - APRIL 14: Colorado Eagles defender Collin Bowman (10) goes for a shot on goal during the first game of the ECHL's 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs at the Budweiser Event Center on April 14, 2016 in Loveland, Colorado. The Colorado Eagles lost to the Utah Grizzlies 3-2 to drop one game back in the series. (Photo by Brent Lewis/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
LOVELAND, CO - APRIL 14: Colorado Eagles defender Collin Bowman (10) goes for a shot on goal during the first game of the ECHL's 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs at the Budweiser Event Center on April 14, 2016 in Loveland, Colorado. The Colorado Eagles lost to the Utah Grizzlies 3-2 to drop one game back in the series. (Photo by Brent Lewis/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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 In their final ECHL game as the affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, the Colorado Eagles won their second consecutive Kelly Cup Championship in thrilling come from behind fashion. Next season, the Colorado Eagles will be the Avs AHL affiliate. Before their first AHL game, it is worth a look back at a remarkable ECHL playoff run.

The Colorado Eagles successfully defended their Kelly Cup with an incredible 3-2 victory in game seven over the Florida Everblades. They became only the second team to win consecutive Kelly Cup titles since the trophy was first awarded in 1997. They will exit the ECHL without a chance to become the first team to win three a row, as they will be chasing the Calder Cup next year.

The Colorado Avalanche had several prospects play key roles in the Eagles playoff run. You can read more about J.C. Beaudin, Nicolas Meloche, Julien Nantel, and Joe Cannata here.

Next: Colorado Avalanche Prospect Updates

The Colorado Avalanche also sent Travis Barron to the Eagles for most of their playoff run. Barron was a seventh round pick of the Avs in 2016. He plays left wing and brings a physical style of play, and a great work ethic to whatever team he plays for. While he may not have the elite skill to be a top six NHL winger, he has the grit needed to challenge for a bottom six role somewhere down the line.

In 20 playoff games for the Eagles, Barron posted seven points, including scoring the game tying goal in the final game, midway through the third period. He served as the captain of the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL for the last two years. He has leadership qualities that will help him challenge for a future NHL roster spot. He has a good chance to make the Eagles roster again next season, in the AHL.

Round 1

The Colorado Eagles began their successful Kelly Cup defense with a series against the Wichita Thunder. The Eagles took the first three games in a row, but ultimately needed six games to defeat the pesky Thunder. Many games in the series featured Eagle comebacks and timely goals. It would be a harbinger of things to come.

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Colorado won game one of the series in overtime, the first of seven OT wins on their road to the Kelly Cup. This time, it was Colorado Avalanche prospect, J.C. Beaudin tallying the winner. Another late winner in game six sealed the series victory for the Eagles.

Round 2

The Colorado Eagles then proceeded to sweep the Idaho Steelheads in the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. This series proved to be the Joe Cannata show. After struggling, at times, in the first round, Cannata allowed only four goals in the entire series against Idaho. He also posted 1-0 OT shutouts in the first and final games of the series, stopping 35 and 47 shots, respectively.

Round 3

The first of two straight seven game series saw the Colorado Eagles defeat the Fort Wayne Komets in the Western Conference Finals. This series was incredibly even. Six of the seven games were decided by a single goal, and the other was a two-goal game with a late empty netter. The difference in the series was the Eagles overtime magic. They won all three games that went past regulation.

Game one featured a Michael Joly hat trick in a 3-2 OT victory. Joly then tied game five in the third period, before Brady Shaw scored the double OT winner. Game seven again required a fourth period, after captain Matt Garbowsky, and Joey Ratelle scored in the final eight minutes of regulation. In overtime, Ryan Olsen tallied the series winner.

Kelly Cup Finals

The Kelly Cup Finals were a microcosm of the Colorado Eagles playoff run. They fell behind the Florida Everblades three games to two. In game six, the final ECHL game in Loveland, Michael Joly tallied three points to lead the Eagles to a 4-2 victory, while Joe Cannata made 26 stops.

In game seven, the Eagles again needed to tie and win a game in the third period. Travis Barron and Gabriel Verpaelst scored in the final ten minutes to secure the Eagles victory, 3-2. Joe Cannata made 30 saves. Michael Joly scored the other goal, en route to the ECHL Playoff MVP. Joly tallied 13 goals and 19 points in the playoffs, both league highs.

Next: Meloche and Beaudin Bring Missing Attributes

As the Colorado Eagles move forward as the American Hockey League affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, it is well worth celebrating the consecutive Kelly Cup Titles that the Eagles brought to Loveland. Hopefully, the winning will continue at the AHL level as the Avs continue to build and develop their entire organization!

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