Strong Third Period Pushes The Colorado Avalanche Over The Phoenix Coyotes, 4-2
By Andrew Dill
Feb 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Nick Holden (2) checks Phoenix Coyotes right wing David Moss (18) in the first period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche (38-17-5, 81 points) picked up a much-needed win after a let down the other night at home against the Kings. Captain Gabriel Landeskog showed up in the third period, collecting 2 assists and 1 goal to finish the night with three points as the Avalanche collected their 38th win of the season.
About half-way through the first period, P.A. Parenteau would be called for a penalty that would result in a power-play goal for the Phoenix Coyotes. Veteran Shane Doan would cash in on a puck in front to score his 16th goal of the season on the assist from Mikkel Boedker and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to put the Coyotes up 1-o early.
Two minutes later, Mike Ribeiro of the Coyotes would commit a hooking penalty sending the Avalanche on a power-play of their own. A couple of nice passes from Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly led to a P.A. Parenteau snipe from the top of the zone to tie the game up at one apiece. Parenteau would notch his 12th goal of the season while Matt Duchene continues to rack up the assists.
We jump all the way into the third period where the score remained 1-1 until Avalanche defenseman Nate Guenin would score his first goal this season in an Avalanche uniform as Paul Stastny and Gabriel Landeskog picked up the assists. At the 6:12 mark in the third, Paul Stasnty would be found in front of the net by Landeskog on a beautiful pass leading to Stastny’s 18th goal of the season as rookie Nathan MacKinnon picked up an assist to extend his point streak to ten consecutive games.
Later in the period, Cory Sarich would be called for a tripping penalty of Martin Hanzal sending the Coyotes on the power-play. Just when you think the Avs had it locked up, Shane Doan would collect his second goal of the game on a tip in front of the net to pull Phoenix to within one, 3-2.
David Schlemko of the Coyotes would commit a holding penalty at the 15:42 mark in the third setting up yet another Colorado power-play. Captain Gabriel Landeskog would snipe one past Thomas Greiss to put the Avalanche ahead 4-2 as that would be the final.
Three Stars:
3: Nate Guenin (COL): First goal this season.
2: Semyon Varlamov (COL): 38-of-40 on saves, .952% save percentage.
1: Gabriel Landeskog (COL): Three-points (1 goal, 2 assists)
The Colorado Avalanche (38-17-5, 81 points) return back to action on Sunday night as they host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Puck-drop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM MT.