Treehouse of Avalanche
A recap of the Colorado Avalanche's most recent three games
With a lot of the focus on the NFL, the League Championship Series, and even the NBA's return, I've been behind on the Colorado Avalanche recaps. Three games have passed, and with that, this recap is a special three-in-one deal. Fittingly, as an homage to The Simpsons' "Treehouse of Horror" (which aired its 36th edition this past Sunday), this is the "Treehouse of Avalanche."
Let's get it started.
All Aboard!
Following our win in Buffalo, the Colorado Avalanche headed to Columbus to face off against the Blue Jackets, who were coming off nearly reaching the playoffs while playing with heavy hearts in their first season following the untimely passing of Johnny Gaudreau. Scott Wedgewood was in net against Elvis Merzlikins, and a quiet first period that saw only one penalty (against Brent Burns) ended scoreless. Jackets struck first early in the second, and it was Ivan "The Terrible Human Being" Provorov (ugh). Almost nine minutes later, the game was tied up, and it was Cale "Dude Where's" Makar who knotted it up. Martin Necas and Artturi Lehkonen with the assists, but we were not done.
Barely over a minute later, Brock "HAW HAW!" Nelson gets his first of the season, with Burns and Josh Manson assisting. Just as the second period clock was running out, the Avs struck again, and it was "Josie, Melody, and" Valeri Nichushkin with his first of the season. 3-1 was the score after 40 minutes, and the third period saw Val put it in to the empty net to clinch it. The assists: Gabriel Landeskog and Cale Makar, giving Our Captain his first point of the season.
The Cutting Wedge
Following that win in Columbus, the Avs returned home to face off against the Boston Bruins, who had Jeremy Swayman in net against Wedgewood. The Bruins scored first early, and it was John "Newport" Beecher at 3:11. Just under four minutes later, the game was tied, and guess who?! Who else but Nathan "Big" MacKinnon?! Neither of those two would be done. Three minutes later, Josh Manson (Man, oh Manson!) makes it 2-1, with the assists coming from Brent "Montgomery" Burns and Captain Landy.
2-1 was the score in our favor after the first period, and after that, the Bruins shots stopped. Couldn't piece three shots together. Avs were definitely shooting, but nothing went in during that period, so the 2-1 score stood after 40 minutes. Third period saw the Mack Man strike again, second goal of the season and Lehkonen assisted. And with the goalie pulled, Marty "McFly" Necas sealed it, and Lehky got himself another apple.
Ice Age
After a home win against the Bruins, the Avs headed back on the road, but not too far. We paid a visit to our neighbors to the west in Utah, facing off against the Mammoth for the second time this season. Wedgewood dueled against Karel Vejmelka, and we scored first! "All Hail" Cale Makar makes it 1-0, and that was the score after 20. It looked good for the Avs during that second frame, but Nick "Sergeant" Schmaltz sees NOTHING but the net. Tie game. Moments later, Utah gets the lead, and it's "Above the" Lawson Crouse who puts it in.
It's 2-1 Mammoth after 40 minutes, but 70 seconds into the third, Jack "Of All Trades" Drury ties it up! 2-2 score, but it becomes 3-2 Mammoth after Mikhail "Payback for 2022" Sergachev puts it in. Time was winding down fast, we needed something... anything. We would get it from Marty Necas with 2:16 left in regulation. The time winded down and we had overtime. Second OT game for the Avs, we started with the puck, and the Mammoth ended it. Who else? Dylan "The Ring General" Guenther. Because, of course it is.
* * *
And there you have it. Three games, and a 2-0-1 stretch in those three games. What a start for the Avs so far. Nearly 10% of the season is over, and the Avs have 12 points in the standings, tied for the best record in the NHL with the Vegas Golden Knights. Also similar to Vegas, the Avs still have a goose egg in that middle column. No regulation losses in our first seven games--a huge improvement over our start last season. MacKinnon leads us with six goals, but it's Necas who is our points leader with 11. Wedgewood has done very well in net with Mackenzie Blackwood out. Last year, we started with a lot of injuries and a lot of flaws. This year, our only problem is handling OT, but that can be solved quickly.
Next up for the Avs is the Carolina Hurricanes at home on Thursday, followed by a visit to Beantown on Saturday to face the Bruins. After that, it's a home-and-home against the New Jersey Devils; in Jersey on Sunday and in Denver on Tuesday, and the month ends with the Avs in Vegas on Friday.
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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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