Game #7 - Colorado 6, Calgary 3

The Avs were finally able to have a good effort on the road, after starting the road trip 0-3 they got some good bounces and capitalized to beat the division-rival Flames. I missed most of the 1st period at my own hockey game, but it seems the Avs were once again outplayed in the 1st. Flames outshot them 12-7 and had a goal from Jiri Hudler (1st as a Flame), but John Mitchell responded with a huge goal in the last minute to tie it at 1-1 after the 1st. Both teams scored 2 goals in the 2nd, as Hudler scored his 2nd off a nifty passing play (aided by the Avs standing around) to put the Flames up 2-1. Colorado then got goals from Parenteau and Mitchell before Tanguay tied the game in the last minute to make it 3-3. The Flames outshot the Avs 22-13 after 2 periods, but the Avs really responded well in the 2nd. The Avs were playing hard down low, especially Mitchell-McLeod-Kobasew. In the 3rd, both teams traded chances but the goalies were playing well. It was tied 3-3 with minutes left, but a nifty rush by Matt Duchene drew a penatly and Paul Stastny scored his first goal of the season (FINALLY)  to put the Avs up 4-3 with 2:40 remaining. After a few chances by the Flames, Stastny came up big once again burying a Mitchell rebound to put the Avs up 5-3. Parenteau would ice the game into the empty-net, as the Avs score 3 goals in the last 2:40 to win 6-3. Sloppy game from the D, besides EJ and Wilson all 4 other Avs d were bad (especially Zanon). On offence, the Stastny-Jones-Hejduk line was -2 (Jones -3) and Stastny really made up for some bad mistakes (particular the 3rd goal) to get the 2 goals. Another superb game from both McLeod and Mitchell (both +3), along with Kobasew they were the Avs most effective line tonight. Duchene-Parenteau-McGinn was also very strong, especially Duchene defensively tonight he was great. Stats for the game: Shots 28-21 Flames, Flames won 32 of 56 faceoffs, Avs out-hit them 21-19 and had 18 blocked shots compared to the Flames 7. The big difference was special teams, the Avs were a perfect 3-3 on the PK and finally scored a PP goal on the road. Overall a great performance by the Avs after a slow start, and they end the terrible road trip on a high note.

Three Stars:
3. Matt Duchene - With Landeskog out, Duchene has become the leader of this forward group and has played some great hockey this season. He had 2 assists tonight, but once again it was his defensive play that caught my eye. He very clearly worked on his conditioning in the off-season, because he is much stronger in the defensive zone and is playing great on the PK. He is also much more confident on offence, he is very strong down low and is using his feet to beat defenders. His rush at the end of the 3rd set up the PP for Stastny's winner, and he had a great game tonight playing the most for any Avs forward at 21:40
2. PA Parenteau - Parenteau continues his good start to his Avs career, as he scored twice and had an assist including a big tying goal in the 2nd and the empty-netter to seal it. He has played very good hockey so far, and seems to be rubbing off on Duchene because they both are demonstrating great chemistry early on. Parenteau now has 5 goals on the season, leading the Avs
1. John Mitchell - I can't say enough good things about Mitchell, he has played with such determination and grit so far this season. I can be the first to admit that I thought Mitchell was signed to play 4th line minutes, because he hasn't had the easiest career. However, he has had a fantastic start to the season and had a big night scoring twice and assisting on another for 3 points (and +3). Mitchell-Mcleod-Kobasew was the best line for the Avs tonight, and Mitchell's 1st period goal was huge for the Avs who have had trouble scoring. Mitchell has had a strong start to the season, very similar to the start former Av Daniel Winnik is having in Anaheim (2 role guys getting big goals). Overall a great effort by Mitchell, he played almost 19 minutes and was effective on every shift

Avalanche Play of the Night - The Avs scored a bunch of gritty goals tonight, so no play was particularly notable, but Stastny's first goal of the season gets it tonight just a huge moment for Pauly. Kiprusoff has burned the Avs many times in the past, it was good to see the Avs not be too fancy and just put the puck to the net.

Avalanche Misplay of the Night - Players caught watching on the 2nd and 3rd Flames goal: Zanon on the 2nd and Stastny on the 3rd are both the misplays of the night

Game #8 - The Avs head home after a dismal Road Trip (1-3), as they play the Edmonton Oilers in a day game on Saturday (@3pm)

Paul Stastny celebrates with Matt Duchene after scoring
his 1st goal of the season

Duchene, McGinn and Hejda celebrate with PA Parenteau
after he scoring his 4th goal of the season

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News