Game #29 - Colorado 4, Dallas 3

Avs players Chuck Kobasew and Matt Hunwick celebrate with Gabriel Landeskog after his short-handed goal

The losing streak is over, the Avs had a big 3rd period and was able to win a game after losing 4 straight before tonight. The Stars controlled the better part of this game, and the Avs dug deep in the 3rd getting 2 goals to steal 2 points, something that Dallas did last time the teams met (Dallas won 3-2). The first period saw both teams get several chances, but the Stars scored twice with the ageless Jaromir Jagr and Trevor Daley scoring for the Stars (shots 13-10 for the Avs). The Avs game out in the 2nd playing hard, and responded with two second period goals. First Mark Olver got his 3rd of the season, as Olver has been a healthy scratch lately he responded big tonight. Gabriel Landeskog would then tie the game, his 4th straight game with a goal, and also it was short-handed again. However with 4 minutes left in the 2nd, the Stars got a turnover in the Avs zone and Ray Whitney beat a sprawling Varlamov to put hte Stars up 3-2 heading into the 3rd (Shots were 14-12 Avs). The Avs didn't let up in this game, and they came out firing in the 3rd period. 6 minutes in Ryan O'Reilly would tie the game, beating Kari Lehtonen short-side. Both teams traded chances until late in the game, and the Avs got the huge break they have been needing over this losing streak. As Matt Hunwick threw the puck on net, it hit Stars D-Man Stephane Robidas in the face and he went down in pain. As the puck laid right near the net, Kobasew scooped it up and beat Lehtonen right along the ice with just under 4 minutes left. The Avs were able to win the game thanks to Semyon Varlamov in net, and a huge game from 4th liners Chuck Kobasew and Mark Olver. Coach Sacco has taken a lot of heat after the 4 game losing streak, and bench Jamie McGinn and David Jones for tonight not only created a spark but also set a stern message to his players. The Avs were lucky to steal 2 points here, and still remain tied for last with 26 points (6 points out of playoff spot with 19 remaining). While it isn't impossible, it doesn't look like the Avs will make the playoffs and at what point do you shutdown to try and get Seth Jones? For now as an Avs fan I can't cheer for them to win, hopefully this is the start of a stretch for the Avs. The stats were as follows: Avs outshot the Stars 34-32, Avs won 27 of 56 faceoffs, Avs had 23 hits to the Stars 10 and the Avs had 18 blocked shots to the Stars 8 (Erik Johnson game high 6 blocks). The Avs had solid penalty killing once again, killing all 6 Stars PPs.

Three Stars:
3. Ryan O'Reilly - O'Reilly continued his strong play since his return, getting his 3rd of the season which tied the game in the 3rd
2. Jaromir Jagr - The ageless Jagr had a strong game for the Stars, with a goal and 2 assists in over 20 minutes of icetime. Don't get to watch Jagr vs. the Avs often, but when I do I just admire how good he stills is
1. Chuck Kobasew - Kobasew had a huge part in the Avs win, getting the GWG and adding an assist while also being a +4. Kobasew had a big boost with Mark Olver back in the lineup, and it was great to see the depth players scoring clutch goals

Avalanche Play of the Game - Ryan O'Reilly's goal gets it tonight, great shot short-side and really big goal to tie the game

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - The Stars 3rd goal was brutal by all 5 players on the ice, leaving Ray Whitney wide open as Varlamov was out of position, just a terrible play almost cost the Avs

Game #30 - The bad blood of tonight will spill over into the next game, a rematch in Dallas vs. the Stars on Saturday night (@8pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News