| 17 March 2009
The Colorado Avalanche lost its first game of the season after it held a lead after two periods. Luckily this season’s dead, so giving up a point to a division rival in mid March didn’t hurt quite as bad as it should. No scoring in the first, both Budaj and Wild goalie Backstrom were sharp. The Avs outworked the Wild for most of the 2nd and got a lucky McLeod goal that bounced off of Backstrom, than off of Kurtis Foster, back off of Backstrom and in. Less than two minutes later, the Wild got a lucky goal of their own when Skoula tossed a shot at the net that hit Veilleux and went in. A few minutes later Wolski got a shot to the net that Smyth tipped underneath Backstrom and the score was 2-1 after two. The Avs sat back a little too much in the 3rd, but Budaj was on and luck seemed to be on their side - with two minutes left, it looked like they would escape Minnesota with a win. But, on a funny play, a puck that looked like it would bounce out of the Avs zone didn’t - Clark found the puck on his stick and Dan Fritsche stripped it away, cut across the middle and found Nick Schultz, who took advantage off a Hannan screen and put it top shelf for only his second goal of the season. OT was uneventful - Wolski scored on the shootout (again - yet another move), but Hejduk and Svatos could not. Budaj was beat by Koivu and Zidlicky. Highlights. What impressed me:
Peter Budaj - Appears to have found his game (too little, too late). Was confident and strong - he deserved the win.
Derek Peltier / Mike Vernance - Both were very visible all night, neither were not on the ice for either Wild goals. Both played on the PP and in OT and looked confident (especially Peltier) - really looks like both have a shot to be our 6th / 7th Dman next year. We need to see more of both of these guys!
What didn’t impress me:
Clark / Hannan - Neither were particularly great or bad until the final two minutes but Clark’s giveaway and Hannan’s screen were two gifts wrapped up for the Nick Schultz and the Wild tonight.
TJ Hensick - Wasn’t particularly bad, but just continues to be invisible, not good for a skilled forward. Needs a good finish or he will be fighting for a spot in the Avs lineup next camp.
3 Stars
1. MIN D 3 M.ZIDLICKY
2. MIN D 55 N.SCHULTZ
3. MIN G 32 N.BACKSTROM
(wow, a game they shouldn’t have won and all 3 stars are from the Wild? How homer is this list?!)
Scratches
Foote (head)
Salei (foot)
Tjarnqvist (head)
Willsie
Number Watch: Derek Peltier (#50) and Mike Verance (#41) both played their first NHL games.
Next Game: Thursday at home against Edmonton, 7PM
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