[NHL] Colorado Avalanche defeated Anaheim Ducks 8-2 with Nichushkin scoring two goals

November 16, 2023 Won Jeong

(Denver = Wongeol Jeong) The Colorado Avalanche and the Anaheim Ducks played an NHL regular season game on November 15, 2023.

The game, which took place at Ball Arena in Colorado’s home arena, Colorado defeat Anaheim by a score of 8-2.

Colorado scored the first goal of the game.

Samuel Girard, a Colorado defenseman, scored the first goal of the game after a scramble in front of the Anaheim net at the 6:40 mark of the first quarter.

Colorado scored the second goal of the game as well.

At the 12:40 mark of the first quarter, Valeri Nichushkin deflected a shot from defenseman Devon Toews that was headed straight for the Anaheim net.

With Nichushkin’s goal, Colorado took a 2-0 lead over Anaheim.

Anaheim scored a goal late in the first quarter.

Radko Gudas took a shot on goal, and Sam Carrick deflected it in with his stick. The goal cut Anaheim’s deficit to 2-1 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was a more evenly contested affair.

Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen was called for a four-minute penalty for high-sticking. Anaheim’s Pavel Mintyukov was then called for a two-minute penalty for holding, and the two teams played four-on-four hockey for a brief period.

Fredrik Olofsson scored an additional goal for Colorado with five minutes remaining in the second quarter. Olofsson took a pass from Logan O’Connor and fired a shot past the Anaheim netminder.

Colorado defenseman Cale Makar drew cheers from the home crowd with his incredible stickhandling and skating in the final minute of the second quarter.

Ross Colton scored a goal for Colorado with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Colton skated the puck from near center ice all the way to the Anaheim net and scored a highlight-reel goal.

Colton’s goal gave Colorado a 4-1 lead.

Colorado didn’t stop there.

Shortly after Colton’s goal, Nichushkin scored his fifth goal of the game. Nichushkin deflected a long-range shot from Makar past the Anaheim goaltender.

Anaheim scored a goal to cut Colorado’s lead to 5-2 with 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Adam Henrique assisted on the goal, which was scored by Max Jones.

In the closing minutes of the third quarter, Colorado added two more goals to extend its lead to 7-2. Joel Kiviranta and Andrew Cogliano each scored a goal for Colorado.

Both of Colorado’s goals went through the Anaheim goaltender’s right armpit.

Colorado defenseman Devon Toews added a goal for Colorado to make the final score 8-2.

Neither team scored an additional goal in the game.

With the win, Colorado remained in second place in the Central Division.