By: Brendan Price

Goaltender Ulrik Roussel made a season-high 41 saves on 43 shots, but the Northern Colorado Eagles (6-4-0) offense fell flat on Saturday as Provo (2-2-0) blanked NoCo 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Greeley Ice Haus.

With 10:35 left in the first period, Javen Heidergott found space in the low slot and blasted a one-time slap shot that was kicked aside by Predator goaltender Bryson Stern, one of the nine saves that Stern made in the first period. After a glove save and loose puck scramble in front of Eagles goalie Ulrik Roussel, Provo got a power play with 7:42 left in the first period when Vlad Suhhodolov was sent to the penalty box for roughing. The Predators were unable to convert, finishing 0-for-2 on the power play, and both teams were back to full strength with 5:42 left in a scoreless first period. Provo forward Gion Coray received a tape-to-tape pass and squeaked a wrist shot through the five-hole on Roussel to put Provo in front 1-0 with 4:02 remaining in the first period.

Each team had an odd-man rush in the second period that was tantalizing close to finding the back of the net. Heidergott and Brendan Fielman had a 2-on-0 after a Provo defenseman lost an edge in the Predators zone but Stern blocked Heidergott’s wrist shot just 1:48 into the second period. Eight minutes later, Roussel denied the Predators on a 2-on-1 rush, sliding to the far post to make a kick save to deny Wilder Jacober and keep the game 1-0. NoCo got a power play opportunity with 9:50 left in the period, but were held in check. 

4:40 into the third period, the Eagles got the best opportunity of the night when Predator defenseman Jackson Schaefer had to serve a double-minor for high sticking and NoCo got four minutes on the power play. Nate Jaramillo was inches away from tying the game when his one-timer from the near point pinged the goalpost and caromed out with 12:22 left in the third period. The double minor was part of an 0-for-6 power play showing that NoCo was unable to capitalize.

Predators winger Misha Mshar would have the Eagles rue their missed chances when he fired the puck from behind the NoCo net, banked it off Roussel, and gave Provo a 2-0 lead with 3:24 remaining in the game. The Eagles had one last gasp for offense when they pulled Roussel for the extra attacker with 1:48 left in the game. A wrist shot from Heidergott set off a flurry of chances; two whacks at a rebound, a blocked shot, and a diving save from Stern for his 30th save on 30 shots kept NoCo off the scoreboard again in the game’s final minute.

The Eagles will look to bounce back on Saturday, October 22nd as they welcome Idaho Falls to the Ice Haus. Puck drop is at 3:30 pm.