Eurolanche

Avalanche lose to Wild in first game

The Colorado Avalanche is back and for the first game of this shorten season taking on the new look Wild. Starting for the Avs are Defense: Erik Johnson, Ryan Wilson; Forwards: Matt Duchene, PA Parenteau, Gabriel Landeskog; Goalie: Semyon Varlamov, Scratches: Shane O'Brien, Chuck Kobasew and Matt Hunwick.

The Avs strike fast with new comer John Mitchell getting his first goal as an Avalanche just poking it past Backstrom. Mitchell goal was assisted by Steve Downie and Milan Hejduk. The Wild work to get some momentum back by sending out tough guy Zonopka who engaged Cody McLeod in a long fight evenly fought between to veteran combat ions. Both guys in the box 5 for fighting with the Wild getting the extra 2 for interference putting the Avs on their first PP of the season. Not success on the first but a few minutes later they would be back on the PP again.  Jamie McGinn would come close to making it two nothing after ringing it off the post. After one period the Avs would take the 1-0 lead into the intermission.

The Avs take their first penalty of the season coming from Downie. The wild tie it up 1-1 on that power play with a goal from Heatly. The Wild then strike again just second later taking a 2-1 lead. Avs looked slow coming out after the first. Eric Johnson then goes down awkwardly helped off the ice by trainers. Steve Downie takes unneeded penalty as frustrations build for the Avs players. Downie take two consecutive penalties giving the Wild and extend second PP. Ryan O’Bryne then take a holding the stick penalty going down two men for almost two minute. Discipline is clearly lacking for the Avs. Varlamov played well during the PK but a puck sneaks past him to give the Wild a 3-1 lead. Johnson was back on the ice his absent felt during those PKs. Avs get third PP of the game, which once again leads to nothing. Varlamov once again keeps the Avs in the game the best he can by stopping a Bouchard breakaway.  Jan Hedja then takes a double minor high sticking with 2:45 left in the second. The second period ends with the Wild leading 3-1 and having 1:45 left in PP to begin the third.

Third period starts with the Avs on the PK. The Avs manage to kill off the PK with some solid saves by Varlamov. The Avs cut the gap with a goal by Cody McLeod with assists by Mark Olver and Greg Zanon. The Avs go shorthand once again John Mitchell in the box this time with the Wild already 2/6 so far in the game. Late in the game Downie rings it off the post giving the Avs some hope. Which is taken away just a short time later as the Wild score to go up by 2 goals with just over a minute left. The Wild win the game by a score of 4-2. Varlamov had 31 saves on 35 shot in the losing effort.

In the end the Avs felt short in the opener. They had some good jump and chances in period 1 and 3. But that mid game nap in period 2 is what did them in. Varlamov had a solid game in net even know he let in three goals. It could have been a lot worse for an Avs team that at times seemed sloppy and undisciplined. It was nice to see the grind guys like Mitchell and McLeod score tonight. Be nicer if Duchene and company could have combined for more than 5 shots on net. 1 out of 48 down 47 more to go, but hey the Lake Erie Monsters won today.