Recap: Avs avoid “Georgiaster,” score five unanswered in epic comeback

2 weeks ago  /  Mile High Hockey

Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images


Alexandar Georgiev was chased out of the game after eight minutes of play and Colorado had a rally for the ages. The Colorado Avalanche were on their way to another disappointing defeat until their new legend arrived in style.
Newly acquired netminder Scott Wedgewood saved the day after Alexandar Georgiev coughed up four goals on just eight shots in the first period Tuesday night at KeyBank Center when they squared off against the Buffalo Sabers. But once Wedgewood slid between the pipes, Colorado’s typically explosive offensive erupted in a ferocious rally, scoring five goals over the final two periods, including four in the third to defeat the Sabers 5-4. Wedgewood finished the game with 22 saves in 48 minutes of shutout relief.
The arrival of their new stud lit a fire under an Avs team that has been hot and cold throughout the season. Nathan MacKinnon scored twice and Artturi Lehkonen came through the game-winner to help the Avalanche turn 12 minutes of historical embarrassment into a comeback for the ages.
First Period
The first period was an unprecedented disaster. Buffalo outwitted and outworked Georgiev four times on eight shots, running him out of town just eight minutes into the game.
Tage Thompson scored Buffalo’s first two goals. The first marker came at 3:22 when he capitalized on a rebound. Colorado challenged for goalie interference, but their attempt was nullified as the refs ruled it was a legal goal. Roughly three minutes later, Thompson scored again. And 11 seconds later, JJ. Peterka made it a 3-0 lead.
Bednar finally pulled the plug when fourth-line forward Beck Malenstyn, who entered the game with only nine-career goals, snuck one by Georgiev. Colorado turned over the puck at the blue line to begin the process. However, at the end of the day, the guy in net is there to stop the puck. And Wedgewood—acquired over the weekend in a trade for Justus Annunen—was called in to save the day.
Second Period
The Avalanche played much better in the second frame. Nathan MacKinnon ended his 11-game goal-scoring drought on an unassisted play. Then, the Avs began to start cooking, albeit Buffalo goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen tried his hardest to protect their three-goal advantage, but the non-stop pressure from Colorado was starting to crack his vessel.
Third Period
Joel Kiviranta, Logan O’Connor, and MacKinnon each scored in a span of six minutes and 20 seconds. Kivitanta and O’Connor cleaned out the garbage to cut Buffalo’s lead to 4-3 in the opening 4:30 of the final period.
Then MacKinnon added another score for extra measure. He deflected a Mikko Rantanen shot in the slot past Luukkonen, tying the game with 12:21 remaining.
Lehkonen put the Avs in the lead for good with 4:22 remaining, closing the show when he fired home the rebound of a Calvin de Haan blaster. MacKinnon was credited with an assist on the play, finishing with a three-point performance.

Takeaways
Can we stop beating around the bush? Georgiev should not be the starter by any measure. Wedgewood is a career-long backup, but he has posted solid numbers over the last three or so seasons. Anything is an upgrade over Georgiev at this point and we need to stop making excuses for a guy who should be playing better, especially in a contract season. He has simply not lived up to expectations.
Moving past the goaltending crisis, this is what the offense looks like when they have support in the net. Colorado is still plagued with injuries, but this was a fantastic win nonetheless. And with Ross Colton returning soon, the Avs will hopefully gain some confidence and momentum from this comeback.
Upcoming
The Avalanche return to the ice on Thursday to face the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center. Puck drop is at 5 p.m. MT. ...

Read Full Article.