Eagles' two power-play goals by Barre-Boulet and Polin beat Firebirds 2-1

Special teams decided a tight contest as the Colorado Eagles used two power-play goals to edge the Coachella Valley Firebirds 2-1 on Jan. 28, 2026. Colorado erased an early deficit with a late first-period man-advantage goal from Alex Barre-Boulet and took the lead in the third when Jason Polin finished a rebound on another power play at 4:35.

The Firebirds opened the scoring when Logan Morrison maneuvered around defenders and beat Eagles goaltender Kyle Keyser for what OurSportsCentral identified as Morrison’s team-leading 21st goal of the season. Tyson Jugnauth and Jakov Novak earned the assists on the goal, which came during a delayed penalty against Colorado.

Colorado answered with urgency. With 1:08 remaining in the first period, Alex Barre-Boulet redirected a power-play chance past Victor Ostman to level the game; that tally was Barre-Boulet’s 14th of the campaign. Team reporting noted Barre-Boulet finished the night with a goal and an assist, while defenseman Jack Ahcan collected two helpers, underscoring how the Eagles’ depth and playmaking from the blue line fueled their special-teams success.

After a scoreless second period, Polin’s third-period rebound on the man advantage produced the decisive goal, swinging the scoreboard to 2-1. Coachella Valley pulled Ostman in the closing minutes in search of the equalizer but could not convert, and Colorado held on for the win.

From a performance standpoint, the game reinforced the premium on special teams in close matchups. Colorado’s two power-play conversions were the margin of victory, and contributions from Barre-Boulet and Ahcan illustrated how scoring depth and quarterbacking from the defense can tilt late-game scenarios. For the Firebirds, Morrison’s continued scoring, now at 21 for the season, remains a bright spot, but the inability to finish off the empty-net opportunity left the club searching for answers on the man advantage and balancing risk when trailing.

In the broader AHL context, Tuesday’s game highlights how fine margins shape results in a development league where individual production and situational play can influence roster decisions up the pipeline. Players who impact special teams, like Barre-Boulet and Polin, add value beyond raw goal totals; coaches and front offices take note when those players deliver in critical moments.

For fans, the immediate takeaway is clear: Colorado’s power play is an offensive identity to watch moving forward, while Coachella Valley will need to shore up late-game special-teams execution. The result leaves both clubs with tangible lesson points as they prepare for the next stretch of the schedule, with playoff positioning and player development narratives still being written.