Avalanche goaltender shuts down Connor McDavid to win All-Star competition

Alexandar Georgiev was voted into his first All-Star Competition and he didn't disappoint.

It's been up and down for Colorado's starting netminder this season but he proved his skill in Friday night's All-Star goaltending competition. 

Alexandar Georgiev took home $100,000 after stopping nine of Connor McDavid's attempts to get the puck past him. 

In the one-on-one competition of shooter versus goaltender, the 27-year-old Bulgaria native matched up with the 27-year-old elite Edmonton Oilers forward. With a minute on the clock, McDavid made 12 shots, but Georgiev only allowed two past him. Whether it was stick-side, glove-side, poke check or pad save, McDavid couldn't beat the Avalanche's top goalie. 

"Georgiev had my number," McDavid said. "He was pokechecking. He was mixing things up. He made it tough on me. But that's what he's there to do."

Georgiev has the most wins in the NHL with 27 in 40 starts. His save percentage is not so great, however, as he sits in 56th place in the league with .899 SV%. He has two shutouts for the season and continues to build his confidence with wins. 

He made nine saves on 10 shots in the 10 minutes he played for Team MacKinnon in the 4-3 shootout loss for his All-Star showing. 

"I thought our guys did great in the games and the skills competition," head coach Jared Bednar said after practice on Sunday morning. "Gorgie (Georgiev) gets, walks away with $100,000 from the goalie competition so it's good to see the guys go be able to mingle in with the other superstars of the league and then still have success."

The Avalanche embark on their longest road trip of the season after the All-Star Break and called up goaltender Justus Annunen on Saturday for backup. 

Colorado will face off against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday night to kick off the extended time away from Ball Arena.

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