DENVER — For the second time in four home games, the Avalanche played an exciting 65 minutes of hockey only to come up on the losing end of a three-round shootout. This time, it was the Carolina Hurricanes defeating the Avs 5-4 on Thursday.
Colorado trailed 4-1 after the first period but crawled all the way back. They got goals from Parker Kelly, Martin Necas, and Valeri Nichushkin to even the score before the end of regulation. But the shootout wasn’t great to them.
Nichushkin, who also scored in the first, was one of three shooters to fail in the tiebreaker. Necas and Artturi Lehkonen also couldn’t beat goalie Frederik Andersen. At the other end, Trent Miner let in the first shot to Seth Jarvis, and that was the difference.
“That’s just how we gotta play. That’s how we do play,” head coach Jared Bednar said of his team’s comeback. “But you gotta do it for a full 60 if you want two points.”
The Avs trailed 4-1 after the first — a period Scott Wedgewood started but did not complete. Colorado’s starter for all eight games was pulled after the fourth goal with 6:20 remaining in the period. In relief, Miner didn’t let in a goal the rest of the way to help the Avs secure a point in the standings.
“I don’t think anything of it. I mean, he’s been money all year,” Miner said of Wedgewood. “There were goals tonight that were odd man rushes, hard ones to save. I think he’s been money all season long. Those games are going to happen.”
The Avs’ undefeated streak to start the season reached eight games. Despite falling in consecutive games, they still lead the NHL with 13 points, although several teams are right behind with 12 — some of which have six wins.
What Worked
Avs Beat Carolina At Their Own Game
The Hurricanes have spent years under Rod Brind’Amour suppressing shots and throwing anything and everything on goal. The Avs played them at their own game.
Jared Bednar said after the game that he didn’t have a problem with anyone’s game after the first period. The “casual defending” in the first 20 minutes led to several chances against, and Wedgewood needed to come up with a save or two to help them.
But that was an insane performance the rest of the way. Colorado outshot the Canes 35-20 after Wedgewood was pulled, including a 16-5 advantage in the second period. They also held the road team to just one shot in the rest of the first period.
Basically, before the third, Miner had played 26 minutes of hockey and faced only six shots.
Nichushkin Unleashed, Miner Steps Up
Both players deserve their flowers for willing the Avs to a point. Nichushkin was vintage Val in this one, and took advantage of his much-deserved promotion to the first PP unit. And Miner stopped all 20 shots in relief. It’s too bad he had to get credited with an OTL despite having a perfect 1.000 save percentage.
Miner made 14 saves in the third period and OT, while helping Colorado kill off 10 minutes worth of Carolina power plays
What Didn’t
Wedgewood Fumbles a Start
The goaltending from Wedgewood was off in this one, even with all the sloppy turnovers from the team in front of him. There’s no arguing that.
The first goal felt like he had his angles completely off. The gap he left for Eric Robinson short side was noticeable from the press box. He also struggled with some pucks in the crease and just looked a little overwhelmed.
It happens. Thankfully, Miner’s strong relief performance means the coaching staff probably has the confidence to start him on Saturday in Boston. Which then allows Wedgewood to take on a much better Devils team on Sunday.
Wedgewood has been excellent against New Jersey in his career.
Anyway, it’s nice to not have to have the goaltending conversation until now. What a nice change from a year ago.
