Colorado Avalanche News - Joel Forman: Game #9

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Game #9 - Dallas 3, Colorado 2

The Avs played a tough game and really competed well, however 3 costly mistakes led to 3 Dallas goals to defeat the Avs. The Stars opened the scoring as Jamie Benn stripped Hunwick and came in all alone, scoring blocker side over Varlamov. Hunwick can't make that mistake, especially someone as dangerous as Benn, and it cost the Avs. The Stars went up 2-0 after Morrow scored right off the faceoff, with Matt Hunwick just watching him as he scored. The Avs got one back and the end of the period, as Hejduk put in a rebound for his 1st of the year in his 1000th game. The Avs tied the game in the 2nd on the PP, as PA Parenteau batted in a rebound out of mid air for his team-leading 7th of the year. However the tied game only lasted a few minutes, as the Stars took advantage of a delayed penalty and Jamie Benn was left wide open in the slot for his 2nd of the game. This turned out to be the GWG, with Parenteau getting several good chances in the 3rd but not scoring. The Stars had 2 late back-to-back PPs that cost the Avs valuable time, as they only had under a minute to try and tie it. A great effort by Duchene at the end of the game, stops the puck right before it went into the empty net and went end-to-end at the buzzer, however Hejduk couldn't get a shot off. Overall a solid game from the Avs, Varlamov played well allowing 3 goals on 26 shots but was not helped by his defence on all 3 goals. I thought the Duchene line was once again very good, even though they were -2. The Avs are very injured with Landeskog, Downie, Jones, O'Reilly and Wilson all not in the lineup, and they are playing much better than I expected without them, however this was a tough loss. Stats were the following: Avs outshot them 31-26, 20-9 shot-blocks for the Avs, Avs won 34 of 59 faceoffs (Duchene with 15, 31 in his last 2 games) and 24-10 for the Avs in hits. The Avs played a great physical game, but couldn't get the two points.

Three Stars:
3. PA Parenteau - He continued his torrid scoring pace, as he scored his 7th of the season on a nifty bat out of mid air. Parenteau now has 4 goals in his last 3 games, and leads the Avs with 7
2. Jamie Benn - He was the best player on the ice, with 2 goals and an assist. Both his goals were perfect shots
1. Milan Hejduk - The 'Duke, as his teammates call him, had a hell of a 1000th game. Hejduk broke his scoring slump with his 1st of the season, and he had several other good chances in his best game of the year so far. Great honour for Milan to play 1000 games, all with the Avs

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Matt Hunwick's careless turnover on the 1st goal, that play just can't happen. Hunwick was awful tonight and responsible for the first 2 goals

Avalanche Play of the Game - Milan Hejduk's first of the year, you could see the excitement on his face. A win would have completed this night for him, but nonetheless a great night for #23

Game #10 - Avs play game 3 of their 4-game home-stand, as they play the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday (@930pm)