This weekend was the first without Colorado Avalanche hockey since September, and there was an emptiness felt by Avalanche fans as all the “what-ifs” and “if-only’s” run rampant as they watch the remainder of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After the disappointment of elimination meets the pride felt for the team accomplishing what they had, it is now safe to look back at the year that was and examine some of the historic moments that contributed to the success of the Avs’ season, and made the 2017-18 season one to remember.
Friday, October 13 vs. Anaheim Ducks
Oct 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche athletic trainer Matthew Sokolowski and left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) help center Nathan MacKinnon (29) off the ice after taking a stick to the face in the first period against the Anaheim Ducks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
3-1 Avalanche Win
3 stars:
3. Sven Andrighetto — 2 assists
2. Reto Berra — 19 saves, .950 save pct.
1. Tyson Barrie — 1 goal (game winner)
Why? The season was young, the Avalanche were sitting at 3-1-0 and were looking for their third consecutive win. The team was out to prove that they weren’t going to be the laughing stock of the league and they were doing it against an opponent they hadn’t beat in their last four tries.
Nathan MacKinnon left the game early after taking a stick to the eye and Colorado had to get the job done without its best player. With just over five minutes left in the third period, Tyson Barrie buried the game-winner and newly acquired free agent Jonathan Bernier recorded his first win in an Avs sweater — assuring us that the offseason acquisition was a legitimate move.
Quote of the night: Jonathan Bernier — “These games are always extra special,” said Bernier, who made nine of his 17 saves in the third period. “It’s always nice to get that first [win] out of the way, especially against a former team. The way we played was pretty amazing. Their goalies were pretty good and it could have been a lot worse.”
Sunday, Dec 31 vs. New York Islanders
Dec 31, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Fireworks go off for New Years Eve at the Pepsi Center after the game between the Colorado Avalanche and the New York Islanders. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
6-1 Avalanche Win
3 Stars:
3. Carl Soderberg — 1 goal, 1 assist
2. Nathan MacKinnon — 3 assists
1. Gabe Landeskog — 2 goals, 1 assist
Why? First of all, who doesn’t love a good New Year’s Eve at Pepsi Center? Secondly, the last time the teams met was the day Matt Duchene awkwardly left the ice following the blockbuster trade that shook the hockey world. The awkwardly structured Barclay’s Center and the unusual locker room placement magnified Duchene’s bizarre exit. If it wasn’t for two garbage-time goals from Alex Kerfoot, the score would have looked worse as the Avs lost the game 6-4.
On New Year’s Eve, Colorado had a chance at redemption, and proved that the Islanders were fortunate to catch them on such a strange night in their history the first time around.
The Avalanche went up 5-0 by mid-second period, ultimately winning 6-1. The game made a statement that the Avalanche, who had floated around .500 up until then, were ready to get hot. This game marked the second win of their ten-game win streak and was a confidence-builder.
Quote of the night: Gabe Landeskog —”We know there’s a lot of work to do still, but the first three months have been fun.I still think we have another couple of gears.”
Tuesday, Jan 2 vs. Winnipeg Jets
Jan 2, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) scores the game winning goal on a shot in overtime against the Winnipeg Jets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
3-2 Avalanche Overtime Win
3 stars:
3. Erik Johnson — 1 goal (game-winning overtime goal)
2. Blake Wheeler — 2 goals
1. Nathan MacKinnon — 1 goal, 1 assist
Why? It was the third win of the ten-game win streak and the Avalanche were getting heavily outshot. Shortly after the Avs miraculously gave themselves a 2-0 lead, Semyon Varlamov pulled himself due to an injury that would keep him out for the next 11 games.
The Avalanche warded off Winnipeg’s third-period push, but Blake Wheeler’s two third-period goals, including one with 33 seconds to go, sent the game to overtime. All momentum was lost and the shock of Varlamov’s injury may have dampened confidence a bit, but the Avalanche rallied and showed their character — as they continued to do throughout the season.
Erik Johnson found himself on a breakaway in overtime and he shot from the hashmarks, beating Connor Hellebuyck — one of this year’s Vezina finalists — and showing the resilience his team had as they continued to fight their way up the standings.
Quote of the night: Erik Johnson — “[Connor Hellebuyck] is one of the better goalies in the league. I was just trying to get a little elevation on it, put it low blocker. We have a scouting sheet over there before the game, that says where most of his goals go in — percentage — so high-blocker was one of those places.”
“It felt good to get the two points under the circumstances of how they tied it,” Johnson concluded.”
Saturday, January 6 vs. Minnesota Wild
Jan 6, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing A.J. Greer (24) and defenseman Nikita Zadorov (16) and Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk (40) and defenseman Matt Dumba (24) and left wing Marcus Foligno (17) fight as linesman Ryan Gibbons (58) and linesman Brian Mach (78) attempt to break it up in the third period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
7-2 Win
3 stars:
3. Nathan MacKinnon — 1 goal, 2 assists
2. Mikko Rantanen — 1 goal, 2 assists
1. Carl Soderberg — 2 goals
Why? The energy in the building had an early spark as the sellout crowd was buzzing from the Milan Hejduk retirement ceremony. The goaltending was strong for the Avalanche and the offense was potent in the second of three games in which Colorado would score seven goals this season.
The power-play was a major component in the win with Carl Soderberg scoring twice and Nathan MacKinnon adding one of his own with the man advantage. The bombardment of Avs goals led to Devan Dubnyk getting pulled and Colorado was able to beat the Wild once more in an atmosphere that indicated the rivalry between the two was as alive as ever.
Quote of the night: Nathan MacKinnon — “I think it’s a good thing that we stepped up on a big stage. For us, when we heard we had a sell-out crowd, we were really excited. We needed to step up and I think everyone did. It was a full-team effort and we had a great 60-minutes.”
“[Dubnyk] is an emotional goalie, but he’s a really good goalie and I think that’s what makes him good,” MacKinnon said. “It’s always nice to get the goalie pulled.”
Saturday, March 24 vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Mar 24, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov (1) and left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) celebrate the shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
2-1 Avalanche Shootout Win
3 stars:
3. Carl Soderberg — 1 goal
2. Marc Andre-Fleury — 29 saves, .967 save pct.
1. Semyon Varlamov — 39 save, .975 save pct.
Why? The previous time the two teams met was an embarrassment for Colorado. It was the worst loss of the season from early on in the schedule, but Colorado hadn’t forgotten the 7-0 loss in Vegas.
The Avalanche were officially looking to prove themselves as a legitimate playoff contender and they were up against one of the most exciting teams in the league. Speed was certainly on display from both sides as there was constant end-to-end action, but the show, much like many of the goals, was stolen by netminders Marc Andre-Fleury and Semyon Varlamov.
The energy from the high-paced, back-and-forth game was matched by a crowd that was focused during play and made a ruckus after every whistle in hopes to propel the home team over this difficult hump. The game ended in the third and final shootout of the year for the Avs — tied for least in the league. Gabe Landeskog would be the hero, scoring Colorado’s third and final shootout goal as Varlamov saved all three of Vegas’ attempts.
Quote of the night: Semyon Varlamov — “I feel pretty good. What can I say? I’m going to feel even better if we make the playoffs. That’s why we’re here, we want to make the playoffs. That’s why we’re battling every game.
“Fleury played an outstanding game. We had moments when I thought the puck would go in, but somehow he stopped the shots, he’d make that big save.”
Saturday, April 7 vs. St. Louis Blues
Apr 7, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) celebrates his goal in the first period against the St. Louis Blues at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
5-2 Avalanche Playoff-clinching Win
3 stars:
3. Jonathan Bernier — 32 saves, .941 save pct.
2. Gabe Landeskog — 1 goal, 2 assists
1. Sam Girard — 1 goal
Why? 82 games. It took the Avalanche all 82 to complete the turnaround from the disaster of the prior year. A team that was on a mission to prove to the world that they made 180-degree turn and, along with the entirety of the organization, were heading in the right direction. Not to mention the added drama of St. Louis fighting for the exact same playoff spot.
Unfortunately for the Blues, though, the Avalanche were on home ice, where they would finish the season tying a franchise record with 28 wins. The Avs pounced early when Sam Girard put one behind St. Louis’ Jake Allen and suddenly, we saw a side of Girard we had yet to see in Colorado. Girard, usually emotionless on the ice, threw out a powerful celebration, outwardly showing excitement and energy that the team would feed off as they controlled the remainder of the win.
The team had successfully completed one of the most drastic turnarounds in sports and officially punched their ticket into the postseason… after no one thought they would even get close. What a year.
Quote of the night: Nathan MacKinnon — “It’s an unbelievable accomplishment. It’s got to be one of the best accomplishments in modern sports history.”