Breaking Away
The Colorado Avalanche needed an extra period and a big chance to win over the Nashville Predators
The Colorado Avalanche's form has returned in grand fashion, as the team is coming off a huge win over the Carolina Hurricanes--a win that saw the Avs score five goals in the second period. The Avs are maneuvering victories; something we saw a lot in the last three years with this team, and we took that to our second game of this four-game homestand. In this go-around, it was a Division Rivalry meeting against the Nashville Predators--the second meeting between the two clubs in less than two weeks. The first meeting did not go so well for the Avs, who looked to rectify that in this second go-around.
The goalie matchup was Alexandar Georgiev against Juuse Saros, but the Preds broke the ice early. On a delayed penalty, Luke Evangelista made it 1-0 at just 1:45 into the game, and just like that, the Avs had to play from behind once again. Both teams pressed; the Avs received the first power play of the game, but it was killed off. It would be the only PP of the opening frame, which ended with the Predators up 1-0. At 2:28 into the second period, the Avs were on the power play again, that was killed off, but four seconds after the PP, Devon Toews tied it up. Samuel Girard and T.J. Tynan assisted. Both teams looked to take the lead, but it would be the Avs who did so at 11:37. Mikko Rantanen's ninth of the season, with the assists coming from Joel Kiviranta and Nathan MacKinnon. For MacKinnon, he became the first to reach 30 points this season, and he tied Joe Sakic as the third-fastest to reach 30 points in team history, doing so in 16 games. Only Peter Stastny (14 games) and Michel Goulet (15 games) needed fewer games, with both doing so in the same year: 1987-88.
Avs led 2-1 after 40 minutes, but in the first minute of the third period, Colton Sissons tied it up. The only assist came from Roman Josi, and Sissons' knack for scoring against the Avs continues. All was well, until the refs decided to call some bogus boarding penalty on Rantanen. I don't know what the hell they saw, but it was not boarding. So the Avs had a penalty to kill and we killed it. No shots. Puck don't lie. Things chilled down the rest of the way, and just like that, we had overtime. This was only the second OT game of the season for the Avs, and we already have one win in the extra frame. The three-on-three period didn't have much real traction, until Samuel Girard took the puck and skated off. A penalty was set to be called on the Preds, but the ref could put his arm down. Girard's breakaway resulted in a goal, and that was that!
It's amazing. Last week marked seven years since the famous Matt Duchene trade that caused quite a paradigm shift. The Avalanche, Predators, and Ottawa Senators were involved. Duchene went to Ottawa in the deal, and part of that included Samuel Girard being dealt from Nashville to Colorado. What has Sammy G done for us since then? What hasn't he done? April 4, 2018--the game we won to get into the playoffs? Girard scored our first goal that evening. He ended up being a key part of our Cup run, and even though he ended up missing the latter half due to injury, he still earned that Cup. And on Veterans Day 2024, the 5'10", 162 pound defenseman assisted on our first goal, and broke away and won it in OT. I think I can speak for all Avs fans when I say that we appreciate Samuel Girard so much, and I'm so happy that we have him on our team.
The Avs are two-for-two on the homestand, and the third game is Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings on TNT. After that, the homestand concludes on Friday against the Washington Capitals, and yeah, we'll have to deal with Alex Ovechkin's quest to get the goals record.
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About the Creator
Clyde E. Dawkins
I'm a big sports fan, especially hockey, and I've been a fan of villainesses since I was eight! My favorite shows are The Simpsons and Family Guy, etc.
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Vikings slide past Hayes
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By Winners Only5 days ago in Unbalanced
Alex Eala
Tennis has always been a sport where stories of discipline, sacrifice, and quiet resilience shape champions long before trophies do. In recent years, one name has steadily gained international attention for embodying those qualities with grace and ambition: Alex Eala. Still early in her professional journey, Eala represents more than individual success. She symbolizes a shift in global tennis, where talent now rises from regions once considered outside the sport’s traditional power centers. From junior Grand Slam glory to appearances on the professional tour, Eala’s path reflects patience, planning, and belief. Her performances, including moments connected to tournaments like the Auckland Open and the ASB Classic, show a player learning to translate promise into lasting impact. Early Foundations of a Rising Star Alex Eala’s story begins with a strong foundation built on family support and access to elite training. Unlike many players who rise through local circuits alone, Eala’s development was guided by a long-term vision. That vision led her to the Rafa Nadal Academy, an environment known for shaping technically sound and mentally strong athletes. At the academy, Eala refined her baseline game, improved her court movement, and learned how to compete with intention rather than emotion. These lessons were evident in her junior career, where she achieved milestones that placed her among the most promising young players of her generation. What stood out was not only her results but her composure. Eala played with a maturity that suggested she understood tennis as a marathon, not a sprint. Junior Success and Global Recognition Eala’s junior achievements opened doors to the international tennis spotlight. Winning major junior titles placed her name alongside players who would later become tour regulars. 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Each match has contributed to her understanding of pace, consistency, and endurance at the professional level. Losses have been treated as lessons, and victories as confirmation of progress. Events connected to the Auckland Open and the ASB Classic are particularly meaningful in this phase. These tournaments attract a competitive field while still offering young players exposure to high-quality opposition. For Eala, participation in such events represents an opportunity to measure herself against established professionals. Auckland Open and ASB Classic: Learning on a Bigger Stage The ASB Classic, held in Auckland, is more than just a warm-up event for the tennis season. It has a reputation for blending experienced tour players with emerging talent. Competing in or around the Auckland Open environment allows players like Eala to experience elite tournament structures, media attention, and crowd energy. For a young athlete, these elements matter. 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By Saboor Brohi 7 days ago in Unbalanced
Comments (1)
This new sports story is full of so much heart and soul.