Despite the Sharks vastly outplaying the Avs and the absence of recently injured Matt Duchene, the Avs found themselves down a goal late in the 3rd and pressed for the tying goal. With a phenomenal game from Semyon Varlamov, the Avs were able to tie it late and withstand a late PK in regulation and the start of OT, and they ended up losing in a shootout while still gaining a point. Varlamov stole the game tonight, he made 39 saves on 41 shots and really kept the Avs in it. The Sharks opened the scoring just 25 seconds in, with Matt Hunwick turning the puck over to Joe Thornton he quickly fed Logan Couture who buried it high over Varlamov's glove. Not exactly the best start, but the Avs really responded well tied the game just over halfway through the period. Jan Hejda through the puck on net, and Kobasew got a few whacks at it before slipping it past Niemi. Enforcer Patrick Bordeleau earned his 1st point of his NHL career, a great game for the Avs 4th line. The Sharks continue to pepper Varlamov with shots, and early in the 2nd former Av TJ Galiardi tipped in a pass for the 2-1 lead. The Avs were outshot 30-17 in the first 2 periods, but Varlamov really kept them in the game. The 3rd was a much better period for the Avs, and both teams traded good chances. Late in the 3rd, Hejda pinched in and stole the puck, as he fired it to the net Marc Olver tipped it past Niemi so quickly it was waived off. After a review, it was deemed a good goal and a huge one for the Avs. The Sharks would get a late PP, their 5th of the game, but Varlamov kept them in it to force OT. In OT, the Avs killed off the penalty thanks again to Varlamov, who made a fantastic glove save on Joe Thornton to keep the game alive. After OT solved nothing, Handzus and Parenteau scored shootout goals of the first 3 shooters. Marleau would score and John Mitchell missed, the Sharks walk away with the extra point but I can't complain about this game. In the absence of Matt Duchene, Stastny and Mitchell really pick up their game, especially on faceoffs where Duchene has been so good (Mitchell went 17-26 and Stastny 13-28). On D, I thought Hejda O'Brien and Barrie all had strong games, not so much Zanon and O'Byrne. Another big positive in this game was the penalty killing, which killed 5/5 Sharks Powerplays including one late in regulation and OT (The Sharks burned the Avs for 3 PP goals last meeting). The stats were: Sharks outshot the Avs 41-27, Avs won 35 of 68 faceoffs, Avs had 22 blocked shots compared to 12 for the Sharks, and lastly the Avs outhit the Sharks a whopping 36-18, with John Mitchell having a game high 7. There was no bad blood over the Landeskog-Stuart play, but a few Avs plays (Mitchell in particular) threw some nice hits on him, as well as Landeskog had a big hit on Pavelski. Overall still another tough loss, but considering the circumstances of missing Matt Duchene (hopefully hes back asap) a big point earned by Varlamov and the Avs.
Three Stars:
3. Joe Thornton - Thornton was all over the ice tonight, I admire how good he is and he shows it on a regular basis. Thornton set up the first goal, and played 22:44 of icetime. He might have been the 1st star if he scored in OT, but Varlamov robbed him with the glove
2. John Mitchell - No points for the Avs forward, but in Duchene's absence I thought he had one of his best games. Mitchell had a game high 7 hits, including one on Brad Stuart and another big one at the end of the 2nd. Mitchell missed in the shootout to seal it, but he played 22:41 and was the hardest working Av on the ice
1. Semyon Varlamov - The only reason the Avs were in this game in the first place, Varlamov weathered the Shark storm all night and really played phenomenal. He was making routine saves, acrobatic saves, breakaway saves and huge glove saves. The highlight of the game was definitely his glove save on Thornton in OT, and his 39 saves on 41 shots earned him 1st star
Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Hunwick's turnover on the first goal, another early goal against the Avs and a slow start
Avalanche Play of the Game - Varlamov's save in OT gets it tonight, what a glove save by Semyon just oustanding!
Game #19 - The Avs head home after a tough 3-game road trip, where they meet the division rival Calgary Flames on Thursday night (@9pm)
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
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