Mackenzie Blackwood acknowledged Jared Bednar’s postgame critique of his performance in Thursday’s 6–3 win over the Buffalo Sabres — and agreed with it. The 28-year-old surrendered two goals on the first six shots he faced but steadied himself and delivered several key saves down the stretch. But Bednar was not too impressed with the way the game started. Mackenzie Blackwood addresses Jared Bednar's comments after Thursday's game. Blackwood failed to cover the puck on the first goal, allowing former Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram to jar it loose and finish from the doorstep. The second goal unfolded when Colorado’s defense was beaten to a lofted entry from Owen Power, enabling Jordan Greenway to bat the puck out of midair and past Blackwood to make it 3–2. It was an unusual sequence, but still a save Blackwood should have made. "I hate to sound cruel, but that's a Blacky problem at this point," he stated. "It's not a problem for me; I have lots of confidence in Blacky and I know there's lots of minutes between here and the end of the season, but (Scott Wedgewood) is playing great, so I'm not gonna not play Wedge to play Blacky at this point, so those minutes come in practice and hard work he's been doing that and he'll get his games...Wedge is rested and ready to go for Sunday. "I'm not gonna not play him because Blacky needs minutes. There's plenty of time to give him minutes. Right now, we're gonna play a rested goalie and play the goalie that gives us a really good chance." BLACKWOOD AGREES WITH CRITICISM At Saturday’s practice at Family Sports Center, The Hockey News asked Blackwood whether Bednar’s comments added any extra motivation for him to start stronger. “I’m getting closer; I just need reps,” Blackwood said. “It’s hard when you miss all of training camp. I don’t need that to motivate me. He’s not wrong; it’s the truth. It’s my problem to take the opportunities that I get and keep working on sharpness, and those aspects of my game that I need (to address). “Everyone in here is a pro, they have to find a way to get their game in order. It’s not terrible, but it’s definitely not where I want it to be. I think the more practice we play, the better it’s gonna get.” Blackwood, who was acquired via trade from the San Jose Sharks last season, said today was one of his better practice sessions and that he felt great. “Each time I get on the ice it’s an opportunity to refine your smoothness and your timing. I agree with Bedsy; it’s up to me, but it’s not extra motivation. I already kinda knew that, so it’s more telling the truth.” Blackwood appeared in 37 games for the Avalanche last season, posting a 22–12–3 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. Through three starts this season, he is 2–0–1 with a 3.28 goals-against average and an .870 save percentage. Meanwhile, the Avalanche sit atop the NHL at 12–1–5. NEXT GAME The Avalanche take on the New York Islanders on Sunday for their annual Hockey Fights Cancer night at Ball Arena. Scott Wedgewood will start in net. Coverage begins at 7 p.m local time. Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b7f0cf79-78a7-49e3-8f6e-ff23834366fd.jpeg] For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
