Colorado Avalanche Spoil Nicklas Lidstrom’s Jersey Retirement, Defeating The Detroit Red Wings, 3-2
By Andrew Dill
Mar 6, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) scores a goal on Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) in the second period at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche (41-17-5, 87 points) continue to roll as rookie Nathan MacKinnon‘s point streak was extended to 13 games after a nice pass to Andre Benoit in overtime to win the game, 3-2. The Avalanche came to town and spoiled Nicklas Lidstrom’s jersey retirement but the Red Wings did come away with one point as it went to overtime.
Detroit Red Wings Niklas Kronwall got things going at the 12:33 mark in the first period as the defenseman came in and back-handed a shot attempt top-shelf to beat Avalanche goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere on what you would call a soft goal. It would be his 7th goal of the season on the assists from Joakim Andersson and Jonathan Ericsson to put the Red Wings up 1-o in the first period.
Jumping ahead to the 10:11 mark in the second period, Avalanche forward Matt Duchene would shoot one past Jimmy Howard to tie the game up at one apiece. Duchene would collect his 20th goal of the season on the assists from Erik Johnson and Ryan O’Reilly giving the Avs some momentum.
Just 16 seconds after Duchene’s goal, Avalanche defenseman Nick Holden would get called for a two-minute minor for tripping Detroit’s Tomas Jurco. Jurco would capitalize on the power-play after a horrible bounce to put it in the net for the 2-1 Detroit lead. Jurco would notch his 5th goal of the season on the assists from Riley Sheahan and Danny DeKeyser.
Matt Duchene would help the Avalanche tie it up in the third period as he bounced off of some defenders behind the net, flipping the puck in front of the net where P.A. Parenteau was at the right spot at the right time — back-handing the puck up and out of the reach from Jimmy Howard for his 13th goal of the season. Matt Duchene of course picking up the assist.
The Avalanche and Red Wings would fail to score the rest of the period as they would need more time to determine the winner as they headed to overtime.
Matt Duchene would get a steal in the first minute of overtime as he would draw a penalty on Kronwall for holding. The Avalanche would go on the power-play to try to win the game, trying to come away with two points as Patrick Roy would call a timeout. The Avalanche would put up a couple of good shots but their power-play would be shortened on a tripping penalty behind the net by Paul Stastny, setting up a three-on-three for :53 seconds.
Colorado would end up killing off the penalty thanks to some good defense as they faced :57 seconds left with a 4-on-4. Nathan MacKinnon would extend his point streak to 13 games on a nice pass to Andre Benoit to the side on the net on a one-time attempt to give the Avalanche two points, 3-2.
Three Stars:
3: Niklas Kronwall (DET): One goal.
2: Matt Duchene (COL): One goal, one assist.
1: Andre Benoit (COL): Game-winning goal in overtime.
The Colorado Avalanche (41-17-5, 87 points) return to action Saturday night at home as they take on Central Division Rival St. Louis Blues. Puck-drop is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET, 1:00 PM MT.