Even when the Colorado Avalanche create a break, they can’t catch a break. Colorado dropped its fourth consecutive game on Thursday night, 2-1, in Anaheim as a bizarre break in the action caused by a broken pane of glass turned the tide for the Ducks.
The two teams were scoreless at the midway point of the second period when just a few seconds later Avalanche defenseman Eric Gelinas ripped a high slapshot that caused a break in the Honda Center glass. Because the pane required a special fit to accommodate a camera the rink crew had to retrofit a spare pane, causing an unusual 45-minute game delay.
Colorado struck first out of the delay when Gabriel Landeskog scored on the power play, but Anaheim took control as the second period moved into the third without a true intermission. Avalanche goaltender Calvin Pickard withstood 29 shots through the first two periods, including 22 in the first period alone, but the levy finally broke in the third when he allowed two goals on seven shots. Hampus Lindholm scored a power play goal to even things at one and Nick Ritchie netted the game-winner just outside two minutes to play.
Colorado is now 1-6-0 in the new year and have lost four straight, including two to the Ducks. The Avs play again in California on Saturday when they travel to San Jose. Puck drop is at 8:30 p.m.
