The Colorado Avalanche were able to come back from a 4-1 deficit and force overtime, but it wasn't enough as they fell 5-4 in the shootout
It was a battle of history —the Hartford Whalers against the Quebec Nordiques —and boy, did it feel like a throwback 1980s game. Faced pace action, physical, and plenty of penalties. Including a major comeback, as the Avalanche forced extra time from down 4-1 but couldn't prevail in the shootout, losing 5-4.
Fast past action to start the period, and it didn't take very long for the scoring to open as Eric Robinson rifles one past Scott Wedgwood short-side to make it 1-0. However, the Avalanche get one right back as Valeri Nichushkin skates right in and backhands a shot past Fredrick Anderson to tie the game. Charles Alexis Legault is called for roughing, and the Avalanche gets the first power play of the game. The power play struggles continue as Landeskog turns the puck over, and Seth Jarvis capitalizes on it to take the lead back to 2-1.
Hurricanes continue their hot start with the help of a bit of luck, as Nikolaj Ehlers' shot redirects off Sebastian Aho’s shin guard past Wedgewood to strengthen their lead to 3-1. It gets worse for Wedgewood as he can’t corral Logan Stankovens' initial shot. He's able to bat the loose puck and in to make it 4-1, leading to Jared Bednar pulling him and Trent Miner making his season debut, while ending a disaster of a period 4-1.
Avalanche gets an early power play thanks to Alexander Nikishin being called for slashing, but only capitalizes after the power play is over when Sam Malinski’s shot is deflected off Parker Kelly and in. The Hurricanes challenge it for “missed game stoppage,” but the challenge is unsuccessful, and the Avalanche are back on the power play, which fails to capitalize. The Avalanche once again gets another chance on the power play with Taylor Hall being called for slashing, but continues to fail on the man advantage.
Avalanche Special Teams: Bright Starts and Growing Pains
Despite a strong 5-0-2 start to the season with a solid penalty kill, the Colorado Avalanche continue to struggle on the power play, despite all of the talent on their roster.
The Hurricanes get their first power play of the game when Brock Nelson is called for tripping, but the Avalanche continue to perform well on the penalty kill. They got great breakaway opportunities from Cale Makar and Josh Manson, but Anderson stopped both. Legault is called for interference, and the Avalanche gets their fourth power play of the period as the period ends 4-2.
This third period was a definition of a game back in the 1980s. Nine penalties were called in the period, five on the Avalanche, four on the Hurricanes. Martin Necas can squeeze one past Wedgewood, past Anderson to make it 4-3. Big moment as the Avalanche can finally capitalize on the Sebastian Aho interference penalty as Valeri Nichushkin slams in a rebound shot from Victor Olofsson and ties the game on the power play. Crucial moment as Brock Nelson is called for high sticking, sending the Hurricanes to the power play as the period ends 4-4 and into overtime.
Both teams were able to get a power-play chance to end the game. Necas called for hooking, and Stankoven called for high-sticking, but neither could capitalize, and this game heads to a shootout, where Anderson stands tall, stopping all three shooters, ending the game 5-4.
The Avalanche are back in action against the Boston Bruins in Boston on Saturday, October 25th.
Controversial call aside, Avalanche fell short on its own merits
The second period offside call was blown, and the goal should have stood, but the Avalanche responded with some of the worst hockey they've played all season.
Colorado Avalanche Officially Unveil 30th-Anniversary Quebec Nordiques Jerseys
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