Recap: Kiviranta hat-trick fuels happy holidays for Avalanche

1 week ago  /  Mile High Hockey

Photo by Ashley Potts/NHLI via Getty Images


Finally a Joel Kiviranta hat-trick Avs fans can be happy about! The first regular season Joel Kiviranta hat-trick will be one to remember.
With family visiting from Finland for the first time, they got a treat watching their son lead the Colorado Avalanche to a big 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. You could say it was an excellent Finnish to the game heading into the holiday break.
Aside from the forward from Finland, it was a great team performance all around who took advantage of a shorthanded and depleted Kraken side. Here’s how it all went down!
First Period
With Seattle arriving in Denver at about 3 a.m. after playing last night against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Avs had the jump. At one point, Colorado had a 9-1 shot advantage and was skating circles around the visitors.
Chances from the top six were abundant, and eventually one had to break through. It came on the power play, where Cale Makar managed to sneak the puck through everyone and in for the lead.


Cale Makar, the best Christmas gift you can get! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/jf4geXcJOp— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) December 23, 2024




While Colorado couldn’t convert on two other power plays and take advantage of an injured Joey Daccord, Seattle would convert. On just their third shot of the game, Jared McCann was left alone in front with the Avs puck-watching to even it up heading into the room.


now that one felt good pic.twitter.com/LbF7p23tDX— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) December 23, 2024




Second Period
The Kraken came out a step ahead and looked to have found their legs. Right off the face-off at the far circle, newly-acquired Kaapo Kakko surprised everyone to give the visitors the lead.


Kaapo's first goal as a #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/Lh6a3yGT84— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) December 23, 2024




But the said lead lasted only 11 seconds. Nathan MacKinnon went haywire, breaking into the zone right after the face-off in the neutral zone. While he couldn’t finish his shot, Valeri Nichushkin would tie it right back up.


Watch out! The Polar Express (Valeri Nichushkin) is rumbling down the tracks! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/vEugzI90x7— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) December 23, 2024




After the Avs got away with an Oliver Bjorkstrand chance in front all alone which was stopped by Mackenzie Blackwood, it was the Kiviranta show. His first goal of the evening came on a 2-on-1 with Mikko Rantanen, whose saucer pass was finished brilliantly for the lead.


Fantastic Finnish from Joel Kiviranta! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/HgXRIfaOAT— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) December 23, 2024




Colorado had another look with Rantanen and Cale Makar on a 2-on-0 where Daccord flashed the glove. They also had a power play which carried over to the third, where they couldn’t extend the lead.
Third Period
Seattle would up the ampy, with Blackwood being challenged by Ryker Evans and Jaden Schwartz. They hit the post and were stonewalled on a breakaway, respectively. The home team also killed off a phantom Sam Girard tripping penalty along the way.
Kakko nearly tacked on his second goal of the evening in front, but again Blackwood did enough. He finally would get the help in front of him, with Kiviranta finishing his hat trick with two empty netters to send the fans home happy for the holidays.


Throw those hats for Joel Kiviranta! Merry Christmas! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/QKB9WSPdRr— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) December 23, 2024




Takeaways
Take a bow Kiviranta. His story is an incredible one. He was the hot-shot rookie in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, eliminating this same Avalanche team in Game 7 in the second round in 2020. He quickly fell back to Earth, and only became an Av by earning it on a PTO two years ago. Remember, initially he didn’t even make the team, and instead made the AHL-affiliate Colorado Eagles team on a PTO. He would then sign an NHL contract and he hasn’t looked back. In 36 games this season, he now has 10 goals and two assists in what is a career year for him. And we aren’t even halfway through the season. If he continues to have hot streaks rather than cold ones, his value in the bottom six will be immeasurable. It’s what wins teams hockey games, and it’s helped Colorado win three straight heading into the holiday break.


Oh by the way, Joel Kiviranta is having a career year, hat trick tonight aside!Coming on as a PTO from last year, he’s taken advantage of it with 10 goals and two assists in 36 games as a bottom six player. That’s what wins you hockey games. He’s delivered this year #GoAvsGo— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) December 23, 2024




Aside from Kiviranta, the usual suspects played their part too. MacKinnon and Rantanen had a two-point night with two assists each, and Makar is now on a five-game point streak with two goals and six assists in that time. Nichushkin continued his scoring reign in the short timespan he’s been with the team this season. Blackwood was brilliant, particularly in the third period when the team in front of him had some faltering moments. Plus, special teams played their part tonight and are slowly coming together - it’s what’s made this current three-game run a good one.
At the start of December, the Avs were in trouble with injuries galore and teetering in and out of a playoff spot. Going into this five-day break for Christmas, Colorado is now in a more solidified spot, comfortably in third place in the Central Division with 42 points. While the Dallas Stars have four games in hand, they also sit four points back of the Avalanche with 38 points. You may say it’s too early to look at playoff positioning. But considering the early-season struggles Colorado had, this is an excellent position to be in at a 21-15-0 record. They need to keep making points up along the way, and if things go well, they could be in contention for the top two spots. As of now, they’re only two points behind the Minnesota Wild (34GP, 44P), and seven points behind the Winnipeg Jets (35GP, 49P).


This is a great gift if you’re a Colorado Avalanche fan. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/gnoe4ERs9l— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) December 23, 2024




Upcoming
After the five-day holiday break, the Avalanche travel for one quick road match over the Rockies to face the Utah Hockey Club on December 27. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. MT for all to see on ESPN2. ...

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