Colorado Avalanche Suffer SO Loss To Wild

Dec 14, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Maxime Talbot (25) reaches for a puck as he is checked by Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard (2) in the second period at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Wild took advantage of Nate Guenin turnover late in the third, tying the game up at one as they won in a shootout, 2-1 against the Colorado Avalanche Saturday night at the Pepsi Center.

The Minnesota Wild had a golden chance to strike first Saturday night as Nino Niederreiter sent a centering pass to Erik Haula in front of the net as his shot went wide. Moments later, Nathan MacKinnon would lead Matt Duchene on a pass that could have resulted in a 1-on-1 opportunity, but couldn’t control the puck. Colorado’s Cody McLeod would send a shot on net from behind the blue-line and would rebound off of Josh Harding right back to him in front of the net, but McLeod couldn’t bury it.

We would have our first penalty of the game as Minnesota’s Jonas Brodin would be called for interference on MacKinnon, putting the Avalanche on the power-play where they have struggled this season. P.A. Parenteau looked to have a goal as he took a shot on net from the left side of the net but Josh Harding made a spectacular save, keeping the score tied. Minnesota’s scoring chances would continue in the first as a centering pass went off of Jason Pominville, going under the pads of Semyon Varlamov just out of reach of the net. The Avalanche out-shot the Wild in the first period 11-to-6, but Minnesota’s defense was active as they blocked six shots.

Nino Niederreiter would give the Avalanche another power-play chance as he was called for hooking on John Mitchell. It was another power-play that left Avalanche fans scratching their heads as they failed to score yet again. They would have a good chance as Matt Duchene used his blazing speed to move past the Minnesota defense as his shot was stuffed. The Avalanche would get on the board first as Cory Sarich sent a slap-shot in from the blue-line that was deflected into the net off of Maxime Talbot‘s skate, giving him his third goal of the season. The assists would go to P.A. Parenteau and Cory Sarich as the Avs took the 1-0 lead. The Wild would put on a great shift towards the end of the second period but couldn’t capitalize on their chances.

Nathan MacKinnon would pick up a holding penalty with 10:50 remaining after turning the puck over, leading to the Wild’s first power-play of the night. The Avs would kill off the power-play as the Wild almost punched one in. The Wild would score with 3:53 left in the game as a slap-shot from the blue-line by Ryan Suter was tipped in front of the net by Niederreiter as he picked up his sixth goal of the season. The score would remain tied at one as the game would head into overtime. Both teams would get some quality shots off but didn’t reach the back of the net as the game would be decided on a shootout.

Matt Duchene would start the shootout off for the Avalanche and would deke out Harding and put it in the back of the net, giving the advantage to Colorado. Zach Parise was up for Minnesota and would score as it hit off the post and in. Parenteau was next for Colorado going for the backhand and Harding made a glove save. Mikko Koivu went to the backhand and scored as he lifted it past Varlamov. It was down to Ryan O’Reilly for the Avalanche and Harding would make another glove save and Minnesota came away with the win 2-1 via shootout.

The Avalanche fall to 21-9-1 on the season as their record of 17-0-0 when scoring first was snapped. They will host the Dallas Stars Monday night at the Pepsi Center, puck-drop is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM MT.

Here is your updated Central Division Standings:

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