Colorado
Eagles Takeaways: Slow start costs Colorado against San Jose Barracuda
The Colorado Eagles had one of their best road trips so far this season. They won three out of four games of the five game road trip. Last night, Colorado scored four unanswered against the San Jose Barracuda (SJS) for the 4–2 victory. The Colorado Avalanche had recalled goaltender Tent Miner with the ankle injury to Scott Wedgewood and today they recalled forward Tye Felhaber. Tonight, the Eagles wrapped up their five game road trip before heading home for six games. Here are my takeaways from the 4–3 loss to the Barracuda.
Takeaways
Goaltender Kevin Mandolese returned tonight from a lower-body injury that he got on December 8 against the Abbotsford Canucks (VAN). At first, you could tell Mandolese needed to get a few shots to get comfortable. He allowed three goals in the first nine shots on the goal, but then locked it down. Mandolese allowed only one more goal in the next 24 shots on net. His turn to health could not have come at a more fortunate time, with Miner being recalled. The Eagles would have had only Adam Scheel to tend the crease unless they called someone up from the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL).
Defenseman Jacob MacDonald took charge of the game with 10 shots on goal. Besides that, he added a goal and an assist. MacDonald helped the Eagles break through on the scoreboard by snapping a pass to Matthew Phillips on the run and Jack Ahcan buried it. Later, MacDonald one-timed a shot to shrink the lead to one goal. He has been a leader by example the entire season for the young group, and tonight is just one of those moments.
Fatigue was an obvious factor in the game today. Colorado was lacking in their normal speed, shooting and passing accuracy, and rushing to the net. The Eagles had trouble pushing the play forward until they had to when they were behind. Colorado only pushed the play in the second period, after they were down by three goals.
Upcoming
The Eagles will head home to Blue Arena in Loveland, Colorado for a six-game home stand that begins on Friday, January 10th against the Calgary Wranglers at 7 p.m.
An investigation is underway after authorities found a body near a picnic area in western Colorado last weekend that appears to have been eaten by a bear.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office says the human remains were located on Sunday near the Wild Rose Picnic Area off Lands End Road on the Grand Mesa. Investigators say the remains were scavenged and scattered, and they believe the person was consumed by a bear and other wildlife.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office is working to identify the person and officially determine their cause of death.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who was in the area of the Wild Rose Campground between June 22 and July 5, 2026, and noticed anything suspicious to contact Investigator Jenna Reed at (970) 244-3274.
They added that Colorado Parks and Wildlife believes there is no threat to the community at this time.
The area is home to black bears, and the MCSO shared several guidelines for the community to prevent human-bear conflicts:
- Stay alert and together: Go with others when possible, keep children in sight and close by, and avoid using headphones so you can hear your surroundings.
- Food safety: Double-bag food, pack out all food and trash, and don’t burn scraps and trash in fire rings/grills or leave them behind.
- Pet safety: Keep dogs on a leash at all times or leave them at home; don’t force a bear to defend itself.
- Camping safety: Set up camps away from dense cover or natural food sources and do not cook or store food near/in a tent. Secure food in bear-resistant containers or suspend at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet away from any part of the tree.
- Know how to respond: Don’t approach bears; quietly move away. Never run, as it may trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, wave your arms, and yell until it leaves. Stay with your group, use bear spray, and fight back aggressively if necessary.
- Bear spray: Carry bear spray and know how to use it correctly. It’s not repellent; don’t spray your tent, campsite, or belongings.
Damage assessments are still ongoing for homes and businesses affected by the Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado, but over 200 homes have been confirmed destroyed so far. The United Way of Southern Colorado is working to raise relief funds for those affected and says it’s making progress towards its fundraising goal.
In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said they’ve assessed approximately 67% of the properties affected in the county. Authorities have confirmed the loss of 192 homes and four commercial structures so far and are working to contact property owners as quickly as possible.
Lucero urged everyone affected by the fire to use the survivor portal for more information on assistance.
Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith says they’ve lost approximately 83 homes so far, almost 2% of the county’s homes. The worst hit area is along the Highway 165 corridor, Smith added. He said that authorities don’t expect any new evacuation areas, but are not yet ready to release the existing evacuation orders.
Smith said a hotline is available during business hours for affected Custer County Residents to ask questions. He urged residents to contact them at (719) 467-0271 and advised they may need to leave a voicemail if the line is busy due to the high number of calls.
A flash flood watch is in effect for areas near the burn scar, which could affect nearby homes.
The President of the United Way of Southern Colorado, Shanna Farmer, said the organization is working to raise wildfire relief funds for those affected. Over the last few days, they have reached just over $417,000 of their $10 million goal.
“It has been incredible, the number of individuals and companies who have come out to support, to provide matches, and to provide innovative ways to raise those funds,” said Farmer. “And so, I encourage anyone who is willing to work with us on a corporate, business, or individual level to please reach out because it is going to take all of us to help rebuild.”
Farmer said that the community not only needs help with their immediate needs but also long-term support. She urged anyone interested in donating to visit their website.
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office says anyone who has evacuated needs to contact the Disaster Assistance Center located at 29 Lehigh Ave. in Pueblo. The center is open between 9 a.m and 6 p.m. and provides multiple resources for those forced to evacuate.
Residents must also visit the center to obtain a re-entry pass, which will allow them to return home once evacuation orders have been lifted. A photo ID and proof of residency are required. Visitors can sign up online to reserve a place in line for faster service.
A powerful search engine that organizes and provides access to vast information on the internet.
-
Los Angeles, Ca53 minutes agoCalifornia teen e-biker baiting police to chase tracked by drone, arrested
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoOur picks for state\nSenate from Wayne Co. | Endorsements
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoMan reported missing in San Francisco
-
Dallas, TX1 hour agoHow to buy France World Cup semifinal soccer tickets in Dallas
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoMiami-Dade Schools names six semifinalists for superintendent
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoLawsuit: ICE detained East Boston father despite legal status
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoVictor Marx wins GOP primary for Colorado governor, defeating veteran lawmaker after unorthodox campaign
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoWidower of pregnant woman who was shot to death in Seattle sues homelessness authority
