Can the Colorado Eagles go all the way?
Ashley Potts/Colorado Eagles
The players and the coaching staff are all in this year for a Calder Cup championship. How deep can the Colorado Eagles go this postseason? It is a question that I started asking myself right after the All-Star Classic in January. The furthest that the Eagles have ever made it in the Calder Cup Playoffs has been the Division Finals in 2022. That year they lost to the Stockton Heat (CGY) three games to one. But this season I believe they can go the distance and here is why.
The Captains Have Returned
Jayson Megna has returned to the Eagles after playing a year for the Providence Bruins (BOS). He has provided excellent leadership in the locker room and a threat on the penalty kill. Megna has one shorthanded goal this season and leads the AHL in shorthanded points (7). He is third on the team in points with 48 (16/32) in 59 games this season. The captain has increased his point production by 15 points this season compared to 2022.
RED HOT MEGNA FOR THE BREAKAWAY AND GAME WINNER IN OT!!!!!!! Assist from Phillips #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/EW2b2DNNZ8— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) January 15, 2025
The big addition has been Jacob MacDonald. He is back for his second stint with the Eagles as well, this time setting records. MacDonald leads the AHL in goals for a defenseman with 29, one away from the league record set by John Slaney in 1999–2000. His 53 points not only lead the Eagles, but all defensemen in the league. He has been a force to be reckoned with on the power play, scoring 13 goals on the man advantage.
Jacob MacDonald is on fire with his 27th goal of the year to put the Eagles up by two late in the 2nd! Assists by Jere Innala (11) and Ivan Ivan (8). #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry pic.twitter.com/dyzZamdsj3— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) March 20, 2025
The Team
The Eagles are now in their seventh season since upgrading from the ECHL. Their last two seasons there, they won back-to-back Kelly Cups under head coach Aaron Schneekloth. Greg Cronin took over head coaching duties when the team moved up to the AHL, leaving for Anaheim last year. Schneekloth has since taken the duties over again and done nothing but improve the team.
BACK-TO-BACKKelly Cup Champions!!!#EaglesCountry #DefendTheCup pic.twitter.com/pVptT99TNl— x - Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) June 10, 2018
This season they have the best winning percentage (.662) they have had since joining the AHL and currently stand third in the league. The Eagles are fighting for a division title they could secure in the next few days.
The Playoffs
If the playoffs started today, the Eagles would have a first-round bye for the play-in. They would play the lowest seeded winner from that round, which would probably be at this time the Coachella Valley Firebirds (SEA). Colorado holds the advantage with a 5–3–0–0 record this season against the Firebirds. Unfortunately, the last time these two met in the playoffs (2023), the Firebirds won three games to two. They will be a hard team to beat since they have gone to the finals the last two years, so there is plenty of experience there.
American Hockey League
If the Eagles can maintain home ice throughout the playoffs, that will help them for sure. Colorado has the best record at home in the Western Conference with a 23–5–2–2 record. Players have always said that playing Blue Arena is hard because of the fans. Some players, like Matthew Phillips who played for the Heat, mentioned that he is glad he is on the right side of the bench because of it.
The belief is there for the Eagles, now they just have to continue doing what they have been doing all season and that is to win....
Want the trending hockey news in your inbox daily?.
Just add your email, and we'll start sending you the most important hockey news of the day.
