Recap: Avs can’t maintain two-goal lead and lose to Ducks in OT

9 months ago  /  Mile High Hockey

Yannick Peterhans-USA TODAY Sports


The Avalanche were in control of this one until they weren’t. The Colorado Avalanche and the Anaheim Ducks met for the second time this season, but this team, it was the Ducks, who came out on top. Colorado had a 3-1 lead at one point but couldn’t see it through until the end. After tonight, the Avalanche have lost two straight games in the extra frame.
The Game
Bo Byram started the Avalanche scoring and then doubled down on that. Bo Byram was on Hat-trick watch for most of the night after scoring his second of the evening just ten minutes into the contest. It’s nice to see Bo get on the board, especially when he’s been having a few frustrating games, particularly staying out of the box.


Bo Byram makes it #EasyToCelebrate #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/nW9DzYDpvA— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 3, 2023




Unfortunately, shortly after Bo’s goal, Josh Manson was called for hooking. Manson watched his former team score a power play tally. It was still 2-1 Avalanche.
Then, Devon Toews gave the Avalanche their third and final goal of the game with less than a minute left in the first period. It’s unbelievable that the Avalanche got all three goals of the evening from their defenders, and all in the first period.


Defensemen doing their thing. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/xGCvHWngVY— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 3, 2023




It was all Anaheim from then on, at least on the scoreboard. This was just a weird one for the Avalanche, who gave up their two-goal lead and went to overtime with the Ducks despite seemingly controlling things throughout. Avs netminder Ivan Prosvetov had a decent game but ultimately couldn’t finish things in the shootout.
The Ducks got a goal from Alex Killorn that tied things at three midway through the second period. Neither team would score from then on.
Three-on-three hockey gave a few looks to the Avalanche, but in the end, neither team could cash in, so we went to the shootout. Jonathan Drouin, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen failed to put one past Josh Gibson, and that was it. 4-3 Ducks.
Takeaways
This wasn’t the outcome the Avalanche were looking for, but I guess if they are going to lose, they should do so in overtime or the shootout. Colorado is no longer on a winning streak, but they are still riding a points streak, so that’s nice.
Should the Avalanche have won this one? Simply put, yes. That said, I can’t put my finger on why they were unable to do so, and I feel we should take our point and move on from this one.
Prosvetov looked just fine again as the Avalanche backup netminder. Not the result he was looking for, but still, I’d say it was a good showing for him outside of the shootout goal he gave up.


Toyota Game Recap: Less than a minute into the game and Bo Byram scores taking the lead but that wouldn't stop the Ducks as they took the Avalanche into a shootout. pic.twitter.com/On7cTMDV4T— AltitudeTV (@AltitudeTV) December 3, 2023




Upcoming
It’s back-to-back time as the Avalanche will have to get right and face the Los Angeles Kings tonight to finish their California road trip. It’s a quick turnaround, but hopefully, the Avs will use this one as a get-right game before heading home....

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