Colorado's elite forward got on the scoresheet after a goal-less nine games and three games without a point.

Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen was on a mission in the 6-5 win against the Calgary Flames — and his motivation came from a few different sources.

In his postgame interview, the 27-year-old mentioned his displeasure with comments made by Artturi Lehkonen's father about his off-ice life in the offseason. He said he got some "energy" from that and used it in his game, which clearly paid off with a three-point night. 

"Every game you try to get fired up and play well," Rantanen said. "All I can say is that I didn't like the comments he made about my off-ice life. That's it, that's all I have to say about it."

It was personal to him for Lehkonen's father to have stepped over a line and go into his private life, he said. That's what didn't sit well with him but criticism of his on-ice play is acceptable. 

Rantanen assured media that there is no issue between him and his teammate and their close friendship has not been affected. 

The Finland native had been held goal-less for nine games and had not registered a point in three. His determination and drive showed in his play with the highest number of shots he's had in a game all season. 

"Obviously when you go through a slump a little bit you try to maybe attack it even more. Obviously try to make the right play at the right time but just look to attack a little bit more and just shoot the puck," Rantanen said. "It doesn't have to be always that pretty — it can be dirty and go in so we'll take it."

Head coach Jared Bednar had referred to Rantanen's game as him playing like a "horse." Bednar liked his last two games and said it's a progression for players to get out of a slump and doesn't happen overnight. Which, for Rantanen may not have been instant, but it was pretty quick. 

Watch the full conversation with Rantanen and Bednar's comments on his elite forward in the video above. 

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