Colorado Avalanche Goalie Semyon Varlamov Placed on Injured Reserve

Oct 11, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) makes a save in the third period against the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center. The Wild won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Bad news for the Colorado Avalanche. The team reported Thursday afternoon that goaltender Semyon Varlamov has been placed on injured reserve due to a nagging groin injury. The concluding move for placing Varlamov on the IR is recalling goaltender Calvin Pickard from the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters.

Varlamov, 26, has gotten off to a slow start in the win column but that’s hardly his fault. In his three starts (two against Minnesota), Varly has collected a record of 0-2-1 with a save percentage of .910% percent. Varlamov was originally slated to start Thursday night’s game against the Ottawa Senators, but Reto Berra has taken his place.

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Berra, 27, has impressed the Avs’ and their fan base thus far in his only start. Berra picked up the win in a 2-1 victory over the Boston Bruins; Daniel Briere scored a goal with 0.5 seconds remaining, leading the Avalanche to their first win of the season. Berra went on to stop 27-of-28 shots that game, collecting his first victory of the year as well.

Nonetheless, I’m excited for Reto Berra to get the chance at being the everyday guy for right now, espeically after the dominating performance he displayed against Boston. However, losing Varlamov hurts, and who knows how well Berra and Pickard will perform; it’s a wait and see game.

The Colorado Avalanche take on the Ottawa Senators tonight with puck-drop scheduled for 7:30 PM EST, 5:30 PM MST.