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Recap: Second-period swing sees Avs soar past Flames

Mar 12, 2024; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goaltender Dan Vladar (80) makes a save against Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche headed into this game against the Calgary Flames on a three-game win streak, having beaten the Minnesota Wild 2-1 in overtime thanks to a Valeri Nichushkin game-winning goal in his return. Meanwhile, the Flames entered on a two-game losing streak after being demolished 7-2 by the Carolina Hurricanes.

With Calgary far behind in the playoff race and shorthanded coming into this game, they needed anything they could get. The Avs were also looking at this game as another chance to continue to try and chase the top of the Central Division. Let’s see how it all unfolded.

First Period

An early Martin Posipil slashing penalty gave Colorado an early advantage. It came through Mikko Rantanen finishing off a nice passing play from Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nicushkin to grab the early lead.

Pushing would be a theme for the Avs throughout the period, as Sean Walker nearly recorded his first goal in an Avs uniform and an ensuing scramble in front didn’t lead to another goal. In fact, at the other end, the Flames would capitalize thanks to a Daniil Miromanov tip in front to tie it up.

After the Flames killed off a Nazem Kadri high-sticking penalty, they went to work. It would take a turnover and a 3-on-1, but on the second try, Walker Duehr would record his second goal of the season to take the lead for Calgary.

After an injury scare for Jonathan Drouin, he would continue and try to help the Avs even the score again. They peppered netminder Dan Vladar on several occasions, but he stood tall on multiple odd-man rushes, post-hits, and grade-A chances for Colorado.

He would face 20 shots, and stop all but one of them. It gave the Flames a 2-1 advantage heading into the room, looking to hold off the Avalanche storming their net.

Second Period

Miles Wood earned a tripping penalty on a rush to the net, giving Colorado tons of chances on the man advantage. But, they couldn’t quite convert there. Luckily, they wouldn’t have to wait long.

First, Josh Manson let a shot go from the far circle which was tipped by Jonathan Huberdeau to tie the game up. Just 58 seconds later, MacKinnon let go an absolute missile of a shot over the shoulder of Dan Vladar to take the lead. Finally, Nichushkin found room in the slot to sink one in off the post. Three goals in three minutes propelled the Avs to a 4-2 lead.

It wouldn’t come without some pushback though. After a tripping penalty on Huberdeau was killed off, he was found streaking out of the box on a breakaway which Justus Annunen did a brilliant job of shutting down.

Hence, it allowed the Avs onslaught to continue. The next man up would be Casey Mittelstadt, finishing off a nice stretch pass from Brandon Duhaime. His first goal in an Avs jersey extended the lead to three.

In the final minute, the Avs all but put the game to bed. Cale Makar’s wicked shot hit the iron but found the stick of Rantanen to put home from an impossible angle and make it 6-2 with 20 minutes to go.

Third Period

The Avs got into some penalty trouble early in the period, having to kill off a Wood delay-of-game penalty carrying over from the second, plus a too-many-men call. Hence, they only got one really good look at new netminder Dustin Wolf in the first half of the frame, thanks to a nice rush into the zone by Walker.

Already up by four goals though, Colorado took their foot off the gas and sat back without much issue. They quietly shut the game down and rolled all four lines en route to the dominant 6-2 win to start this four-game Western Canada road trip.

Yeti Takeaways

It was just a matter of time before Colorado’s chances found the back of the net. After being down going into the intermission, they came out of the room for the second and fought with fire and took the Flames down. Five unanswered goals spurred a brilliant result for the Avs. A lot of names got involved, most importantly the depth. Three of the four new players recorded a point in this game, with a special shoutout to Walker who looked the best out of the four. Rantanen had a four-point night and is now fifth in points in the NHL this season too, overtaking Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers with 88 points.

In the crease, Annunen was good for the third straight game. After a scare in the first period when the Flames scored twice on three shots, he stood tall when he was called upon. While the team did most of the work in front of him to keep Calgary away from the net and defending in their zone, he was good when called upon. Particularly, his breakaway save on Huberdeau when the game was only 4-2 could’ve turned the game in a different direction if Huberdeau had scored. He did well to give Alexandar Georgiev another night off leading into tomorrow night’s game.

This win tonight was crucial for the Avs. Not only is it the fourth straight win for the team, but it also helps their case en route to the top of the Central Division. The biggest reason why is because the Dallas Stars blew a 3-0 lead at home to the Florida Panthers and lost 4-3. With these results, the Avs are now within two points of Dallas, 87 to 89 respectively. Colorado is tied with the Winnipeg Jets on 87 points. Now here’s to hoping the Jets have a similar fate tomorrow night against the Nashville Predators.

Next on the Mountain

Speaking of tomorrow night, the Avs are right back in action tomorrow night in the second half of a back-to-back against the Vancouver Canucks. Get your coffee ready for the late 8:30 p.m. puck drop.