Eight different Archers recorded at least one point Saturday night in Colorado Springs in a 15-12 win over the Redwoods to snap a three-game losing streak. 

With that win, the Archers (4-3) moved into second place as they clinched a spot in the playoffs with two regular-season games left in Albany. All of their losses have been by one point. 

“We made some of those little plays that we’ve talked about for the last few weeks,” said Archers head coach Chris Bates. “We’ve had plenty of time to think on this, so this game had a playoff atmosphere, and that’s a playoff team. The Redwoods are going to be there in the end. From the opening whistle, it just felt different.”

The weather was less than ideal for both teams. The game was originally set to take place at 7:15 ET, but it didn’t get started until 10:05. Rain was pouring down the whole game, causing some scrappy play from both teams. 

Even though TD Ierlan had himself a day for the Redwoods, going 74% at the stripe, the Redwoods had 23 turnovers compared to the Archers 14. The Redwoods still put up 44 shots, but Adam Ghitelman stood on his head the whole game, finishing with 15 saves. 

The Redwoods scored 12 points, but they only scored six goals, with three of those goals coming from 2-pointers. Sergio Perkovic and Kyle Harrison each scored one, but none came more timely than a Charlie Bertrand 2-pointer to cut the deficit to one late in the fourth quarter after the Archers had been leading the majority of the game.

Ryder Garnsey then scored to even things up at 12, but the Archers took control of the game from there.

Ryan Ambler scored back-to-back goals, and then Marcus Holman connected on one to hold onto the win. 

“Ryan Ambler is a G,” Holman said. “He gets to the rack and does so much stuff for us. He seems to score big goals when we need it...It’s tough. That pass by Bertrand goes in for a 2-pointer, but again, I just felt like our team was tough and strong and didn’t allow that to crack and break us. I felt like we made more of the tough plays tonight. Just overall, that’s usually going to get you a win when it’s all said and done.” 

Holman led the way for the Archers with five points (3G, 2A), while Tre Leclaire and Ambler each scored a hat trick. 

“Tre Leclaire, I got to give him a shoutout,” Holman said. “The rookie with three big goals for us tonight. It was kind of a breakout game for him. He’s a man child.” 

The Archers have already clinched a playoff spot, but they have an important doubleheader in Albany where they can still clinch the top seed and a bye to the semifinals. They take on Chaos on August 13 and the Whipsnakes on August 15. 

The Redwoods also have a doubleheader in Albany: against the Whipsnakes on August 13 and Chaos on August 15. 

“We can’t pout about this loss,” said Redwoods head coach Nat St. Laurent. “We got beat, and we got two more huge opportunities to come out and play and compete...We’ve got to focus on going 1-0. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. Nobody in the locker room does. It’s why I love our guys.”