Avs Outlast Jets In Shootout

Dec 12, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Colorado Avalanche forward P.A. Parenteau (15) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the shootout to defeat the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Center. Colorado wins 4-3 overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche would defeat the Winnpeg Jets in a shootout Thursday night, as Matt Duchene would score two goals and add an assist, winning 4-3. Duchene and Parenteau would score for the Avalanche in the shootout.

The Winnipeg Jets would strike just 24 seconds into the game as the puck would be deflected off of defenseman Erik Johnson‘s skate into the net. The goal would be credited to Blake Wheeler, assisted by Tobias Enstrom and Bryan Little. Erik Johnson would then be called for holding, going to the box for a two-minute minor. Moments later, Nate Guenin would lift the puck trying to dump it, but went over the glass resulting in a delay of game penalty. After Johnson’s penalty was up, Winnipeg would score on Guenin penalty, as Jacob Trouba would take a slap-shot from the blue-line that was tipped in by Michael Frolik, his eighth of the season.

It seemed as if everything was falling apart for the Avalanche early on, as they would be called for a bench minor that would be served by rookie Nathan MacKinnon. Gabriel Landeskog would give Avalanche fans a scare as he went into the boards hard but would remain in the game. Matt Duchene would get the Avs in the goal column as he scored on a 1-on-1 burying the puck in the back of the net. He would be assisted by Ryan O’Reilly and Nate Guenin, bringing the score to within one.

Colorado would get two power-play opportunities early in the second period but both would be killed by the Winnipeg penalty-kill unit as the Avs power-play struggles continue. Ryan O’Reilly would tie the game up later in the second on a nice feed from Duchene, Cory Sarich would also pick up the assist. Then with 1.6 seconds left, Nathan MacKinnon‘s rebound attempt went off of the pad of Ondrej Pavelec‘s pad and right to Matt Duchene for the goal, putting the Avs up 3-2.

Cory Sarich would be called for a tripping penalty in the third period, giving the Jets a chance to tie the game up, and they would. Blake Wheeler would score the power-play goal, his second of the game as he tied the game at three. He would be assisted by Mark Scheifele and Grant Clitsome. Semyon Varlamov would keep Colorado in the game as he would make save after save on a great shift by the Winnipeg Jets. The score would be all knotted up at three heading into overtime.

The Avs and Jets wouldn’t get anything going in the overtime period as the game would be decided in a shootout. Devin Setoguchi would start it off for the Jets, getting stuffed by Varly. Matt Duchene would put the pressure on as he converted on his chance. Andrew Ladd was next for Winnipeg as his shot went wide. Colorado could win the game on P.A. Parenteau‘s chance, and they did. Parenteau would shoot it past the goaltender, giving the Avalanche a much-needed win, 4-3.

Three-Stars:

3: Ryan O’Reilly (COL): One goal, one assist.

2: Bryan Little (WPG): Two goals.

1: Matt Duchene (COL): Two goals, one assist.

The Avalanche improve to 21-9-0 on the season with 42 points. They will host the Minnesota Wild Saturday night. Puck-drop at 9:00 PM ET, 7:00 MT. The Avs expect defenseman Jan Hejda and Ryan Wilson back in the line-up come Saturday.