[NHL] Avalanche Falls to Ducks in Shootout, Just Shy of Historic 18th Home Win
(Denver, CO = Won Jeong) The Colorado Avalanche’s quest for a franchise-record 18th consecutive home victory was thwarted at the final hurdle by the Anaheim Ducks.
On the 21st (local time), in an NHL regular-season matchup held at Ball Arena, Colorado fell to Anaheim 2-1 in a shootout after ending regulation and overtime tied at 1-1.
Colorado appeared to struggle early on in the neutral zone. While attempting to carry the puck across the red line, they turned it over several times, allowing Anaheim to launch a series of counterattacks. Goaltender Scott Wedgewood, making the start for Colorado, faced several dangerous situations but handled them with composure.
With about seven minutes remaining in the first period, Colorado forward Jack Drury was sent to the penalty box for a two-minute minor after holding an opponent’s arm. Although this presented a prime power-play opportunity for Anaheim, the Ducks failed to capitalize, unable to mount a significant offensive threat.
Late in the first period, Colorado faced another crisis. Anaheim forwards Chris Kreider and Ryan Strome charged toward the net, but Wedgewood kept the game scoreless with an acrobatic diving save.
Anaheim finally broke the deadlock right at the start of the second period. Identifying an opening on the left side, Jeffrey Viel received a pass and fired a shot through the Colorado defense into the back of the net, giving the Ducks a 1-0 lead.
Colorado nearly responded midway through the second. Zakhar Bardakov had a golden opportunity when he received a pass from Nathan MacKinnon in front of the net, but his shot rang off the goalpost, drawing a collective gasp from the home crowd.
From the midway point of the second period, Colorado’s offense surged. After recording 9 shots on goal in the first period, they added 11 more in the second, nearly doubling Anaheim’s shot count (4 in the first, 6 in the second).
Valeri Nichushkin, who had missed Monday’s game after a minor car accident on his way to the arena, proved he was back to full strength. Upon hitting the ice, he immediately pressured the Anaheim defense with his signature physical play. Late in the second, Ross Colton attempted a one-timer off a pass from Gavin Brindley, but the puck went straight into the goaltender. While it didn’t result in a goal, it was enough to keep the Ducks on high alert.
With two minutes left in the second, Anaheim defenseman Drew Helleson was called for holding. Colorado launched an all-out assault during the ensuing power play but could not find the equalizer before the buzzer.
In the third period, Colorado played with desperate urgency. MacKinnon tried to create space by peeling off to the left in the offensive zone, but the following pass failed to connect. Cale Makar also created chaos by skating the puck around the back of the net, momentarily shaking the Anaheim defense, but the Ducks managed to regain their structure and deny the goal. Colorado utilized every inch of the ice—from the sideboards to the space behind the net—in an relentless offensive effort.
The breakthrough finally came from Artturi Lehkonen. Positioned opposite Brock Nelson, who was driving down the left side, Lehkonen received a crisp pass and hammered a one-timer that beat the goaltender over the left shoulder, tying the game at 1-1.
Despite an overwhelming 40-16 advantage in shots on goal, Colorado’s inability to score more than once in regulation proved costly. In the shootout, Colorado’s shooters, including Brock Nelson and Martin Necas, failed to convert.
Meanwhile, Anaheim’s Mikael Granlund scored the decisive goal as the first shooter, and Cutter Gauthier sealed the victory as the third shooter, ending the night and Colorado’s historic streak.
