Colorado Avalanche News - Joel Forman: Game #21 - Colorado Avalanch 4, Phoenix Coyotes 3 (OT)

Friday, November 22, 2013

Game #21 - Colorado Avalanch 4, Phoenix Coyotes 3 (OT)

Andre Benoit, P.A. Parenteau and Paul Stastny celebrate with Ryan O'Reilly after his OT goal

Goals:
COL - John Mitchell PPG (4) - from Nathan MacKinnon and P.A. Parenteau (0:32 2ND)
COL - Andre Benoit (1) - unassisted (15:50 2ND)
PHX - Michael Stone (7) - from Kyle Chipchura and Paul Bissonnette (17:10 2ND)
PHX - Martin Hanzal (7) - from Tim Kennedy and Rostislav Klesla (10:40 3RD)
PHX - Antoine Vermette PPG (6) - from Shane Doan and Keith Yandle (14:06 3RD)
COL - Cody McLeod (2) - from Andre Benoit and John Mitchell (16:46 3RD)
COL - Ryan O'Reilly (9) - PPG - from P.A. Parenteau and Andre Benoit (4:18 OT)
Goalies:
WG - Semyon Varlamov (41 saves on 44 shots: 11-5-0) LG - Mike Smith (26 saves on 30 shots: 12-3-4)

The Avs faced some adversity tonight as they gave up a 2 goal lead and found themselves down 1 with 4 minutes left in the 3rd. The Result? A late goal by Cody McLeod and an OT goal by Ryan O'Reilly sent the Avs to a 4-3 win over the Phoenix Coyotes, as they improved to 2-0 without Matt Duchene and 16-5-0 on the season. Once again the Avs were heavily outshot but found a way to win the game, as Semyon Varlamov was stellar once again tonight. The score remained 0-0 after the 1st, as the Coyotes outshot the Avs 15-8 in the period. An early penatly by Michael Stone sent the Avs to the PP, and John Mitchell scored his 4th goal of the season 32 seconds into the 2nd. The Avs would make it 2-0 with late in the 3rd, as Andre Benoit scored his 1st goal as an Avalanche. However the Coyotes would get one back minutes later, as a dump in by Michael Stone fooled Varlamov (a goal he will want back). The Avs lead 2-1 after the 2nd, shots were 13-11 in the 2nd and 28-19 in the game. The Coyotes would then have 2 goals called back in the first 5 minutes of the 3rd, as a goal from the Coyotes was waived off because the whistle blew and minutes later a goal from Oliver Ekman-Larsson was waived off as Moss was in the crease and interfering with Varlamov. However the Coyotes continued to press and would tie the game around midpoint of the 3rd, as Martin Hanzal picked up a rebound and beat Varlamov high. The Coyotes would then take the lead on the PP 4 minutes later, as a weird bounce off the back boards landed right on Antoine Vermette's stick who made no mistake beating a sprawling Varlamov. The Avs had suddenly given up 3 straight goals and trailed for the first time in the game, they had 6 minutes left to tie the game. Now under Coach Joe Sacco the Avs would have probably lost this game, watched the Coyotes shut them down and then ice it in the empty net. But this is a different team under Patrick Roy, and you could see it the first shift after the Coyotes took the lead the Avs picked up the pace. With just over 3 minutes left, Avs tough guy Cody McLeod beat Smith on a rebound, his 2nd goal in as many games. The Avs would get a PP going into OT but couldn't beat Mike Smith, however they were lucky enough to get a 2nd PP with 1:35 left and this time the Avs capitalized. After a nice play by P.A. Parenteau to control the puck and draw 2 Coyotes towards him, he made a nifty pass to O'Reilly who faked a slapshot and beat Smith with a perfect shot to give the Avs the win. The Avs found a way to win despite being outshot 44-30, when the game was on the line they turned it up to tie and then win the game (shots were 5-2 for the Avs in OT). The Coyotes may be angry after this one, 2 overturned goals and 2 penalties in OT, but the result is still 2 points for the Avs. Another character win by the Avs, a true example of how well Roy has the team playing as a TEAM and not INDIVIDUALS. The Avs are now 14-0 when scoring 1st, and 2-0 in games going to OT.