In a matter of five minutes and seven seconds, the Avs 2015-16 season went from looking extremely promising to extremely disconcerting. Carrying a 4-1 lead into the final period, Colorado had a disastrous five-minute stretch that spelled doom on the night.
Colorado had no answer for Zach Parise all night, as the Wild “A” had his “A” game going. The Minneapolis native had a hat trick including the game-winner.
But before all that happened, there was 50 minutes of hockey that looked great for the Avs (and some fun new gadgets that helped open the season).
Here’s a Tweetcap of the entire Avs season opener … the highs and the eventual lows.
During the offseason the team added 4K projector and turned the entire sheet of ice into a giant projector screen. Pretty sweet.
@KDVR Holy smokes! What an opening sequence this evening for the Avs pic.twitter.com/7QJ7Y5yWRP
— Angel Andres (@AngelAndresFox) October 9, 2015
Once the puck dropped, the young center Nathan MacKinnon had the first shot of the season for the Avs.
Nathan MacKinnon with the first shot of the game.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 9, 2015
Through the first five minutes both sides were held scoreless, but Colorado was looking impressive.
#Avalanche aggressive early …. no goals … but have had their chances.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) October 9, 2015
Zach Parise took control of a puck in the neutral zone for a breakaway around the 10-minute mark, but Varly forced his shot to hit iron.
Parise on a breakaway? Ping.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 9, 2015
Not five minutes later the Avs drew the first penalty of the game and Jarome Iginla capitalized on a beautiful feed from MacKinnon.
https://twitter.com/BrgBrigadeKevin/status/652297154644459520
The Avs first goal of the season a power play goal? Now that's a good sign!
— Julie Browman (@JulieBrowman1) October 9, 2015
Colorado went on the power play again just a few minutes later and made it two-for-two.
#Avs going on another power play. Koivu the violator.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 9, 2015
https://twitter.com/BrgBrigadeKevin/status/652299159282696192
That’s when the flood gates opened up.
The Avalanche captain tucked a rebound off the boards behind Dubnyk and it’s 3-0 in the first period!
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 9, 2015
https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/652300334031851520
Through 20 minutes of the 2015-16 season, the Avs were looking good.
Out possessing, out hitting. This Avs team looks completely different this year. #MINvsCOL
— J.J. Jerez (@JJoftheYear) October 9, 2015
Six minutes into the second, the Wild thought they might have had a goal, but it was not to be. Toronto confirmed a no goal, but less than a minute later Parise put one over Varly’s shoulder when the Avs defense broke down on a bad change.
#Wild on the board. Parise with the rip. #Avalanche still lead it 3-1.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) October 9, 2015
The Avs would answer almost immediately, however. John Mitchell popped one in on a rebound from Johnson 1:12 later. Francois Beauchemin picked up his third assist of the game on the goal.
4-1 pic.twitter.com/iScWRbUJq0
— Mark Rycroft (@RycroftMark) October 9, 2015
Patrick Roy wasn’t afraid to play the game as it came, making some line changes midway through the second.
Roy is shaking up the lines a bit. Soderberg is centering McLeod and Mitchell. Line produced a goal last time out with nice possession.
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) October 9, 2015
The Avs captain gave Minnesota its first power play with two and a half minutes to play in the second.
Landeskog headed to the box for a little timeout.
Called for interference, apparently…
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 9, 2015
Colorado survived the Wild’s man-advantage and took a three-goal lead into the second intermission. Even the Minnesota media was impressed with Colorado’s play.
Comeau's working his butt off all game
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 9, 2015
The Avs surrendered Parise’s second goal of the game after Landeskog let him slip away after a hit that sent Parise to the ice and Minnesota pulled within two with just under 15 to play.
https://twitter.com/BrgBrigadeKevin/status/652321763229982720
An icing call that wasn’t led to another Minnesota score just 1:58 later.
Roy incredulous after referee inexplicably waives off icing. Gift leads to another Wild score. 4-3 Avs.
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) October 9, 2015
Landeskog took a brief spell in the locker room, apparently shaken by the collision with Parise. He returned shortly after.
Gabe Landeskog in the dressing room. Might have got the worst of that big collision with Zach Parise #Avs #mnwild
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) October 9, 2015
Things didn’t get better.
Avs are falling apart here. Poor breakout, turnover, puck in Colorado's net. 4-4
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) October 9, 2015
And then it got worse.
https://twitter.com/BrgBrigadeKevin/status/652324319431815168
And then even worse.
And now the #Wild lead. Hat trick for Parise. #Avalanche in total meltdown mode.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) October 9, 2015
Minnesota scored four goals in 5:07 to take the lead.
https://twitter.com/BrgBrigadeKevin/status/652325055238508544
Colorado couldn’t mount any pressure and with two minutes remaining, Roy played his standard card and pulled Varlamov.
If this were 2 years ago… #Avalanche would win this game in a comeback…
Last year, would lose…
We're about to find what kind team this is
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) October 9, 2015
A miraculous finish was not to be for Colorado.
That’s the game. #Avs fall 5-4.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 9, 2015
