The first game of the season started out really good for the Avs, they pushed the pace of the game and outshot the Wild 12-5. Johnny Mitchell scored his 1st of his Avs career to put the Avs up 1-0, and they headed into the intermission with that score. However, the 2nd was simply an awful period for the Avs. They ran into this pattern last year, start how and then fall flat in the 2nd, and that's exactly what happened tonight. Minnesota got goals from Heatley, Granlund (1st career goal) and then Heatley again to put the Wild up 3-1. The avs were able to answer in the 3rd with a rebound goal my Cody McLeod, but they would come no further as Pierre-Marc Bouchard iced it with under 2 minutes left to make it 4-2. Seconds earlier, Steve Downie missed a wide open net that would've tied it, tough break for the Avs. The Avs played good at times and awful at times, but overall inconsistent. Shane O'Brien was scratched for the game, and he was missed the Avs need him out there. They also need to desperately sign O'Reilly, they need him for his offence and defence badly. Overall not a horrible first game, but not the best and the Avs will need much more from Parenteau-Duchene-Landeskog to be successful this season.
Three Stars:
3. John Mitchell - Mitchell had his 1st goal in an Avs sweater, and looked pretty good out there. He was skating well and making good plays, a good thing to see for the future
2. Zach Parise - 2 assists in his 1st game as a Wild player, he looked really sharp out there with Heatley and Koivu
1. Dany Heatley - Was the best player on the ice, Heatley had 2 goals and definitely could have had atleast 1 more
Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Steve Downie/Paul Stastny both missing open nets really cost the Avs tonight, Stastny's in the 1st and Downie's in the 3rd.
Avalanche Play of the Game - John Mitchell's 1st goal as an Av, not pretty but it counts
Game #2 - The Avs head home for their home opener vs. the defending Cup Champ LA Kings on Tuesday night (@9pm)
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
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