The Avalanche wasted no time taking control in their Rookie Faceoff opener and never really let go, building a 3-1 lead in the first period before stretching it into a one-sided night against the Ducks.
Colorado got the first crack at the scoreboard at 3:03 of the opening period, and the play started with third-round pick Beckett Hamilton showing plenty of flair. He slipped a beautiful behind-the-back pass to Taylor Makar, who was in the right spot and snapped the puck past Anaheim goaltender Damian Clara for the early lead.
The Avs doubled it a little more than two minutes later on a 3-on-1 rush. T.J. Hughes carried the puck into the Ducks’ zone, worked through traffic, and fed Hamilton at the back door for a clean finish.
Anaheim answered right away. Cruz Lucius beat Ilya Nabokov in front to pull the Ducks within one, but Colorado kept pressing and regained the two-goal edge before the period was out. Matthew DiMarsico, who signed with the Avalanche out of Penn State last season, ripped a shot past Clara to make it 3-1.
Colorado also survived a four-minute high-sticking penalty to Makar before the intermission, and Nabokov did his part during that stretch with a string of big saves, including a sprawling glove stop on Ducks forward Rian Chudzinski.
The second period only widened the gap. Cooper Gay made a slick move through the neutral zone to set up Shawn Carrier for a tap-in, Makar scored his second goal of the night, and Alex Gagne added another from the point.
Anaheim got one back when Noah Kosick poked a puck past Nabokov, but that was the Ducks’ lone response in a frame that belonged to Colorado. The Ducks had some chances, yet Nabokov kept turning them away with a handful of strong stops over the 20 minutes.
In Other News...
Former Avalanche Defenseman Just Landed A Real NHL Opportunity
Nick Blankenburg is getting another chance to stick in the NHL, and this one comes with a clear purpose. The former Avalanche defenseman has signed a professional tryout contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, giving them a bit of depth on the blue line while Chris Tanev works his way back from surgery.
For Colorado, Blankenburg was a useful swing piece last season after being acquired by the Avalanche, and he drew notice for the kind of competitive edge and offensive instincts teams like to have available on the back end. Toronto is treating the move as insurance with Tanevs recovery still uncertain, but for Blankenburg it opens the door to turn a temporary opportunity into something more substantial. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Fans Finally Get An Early Look At Key Young Names
The Avalanches crop of young players got an early chance to make an impression before heading to San Jose for the Rookie Faceoff, where theyll see the Ducks and Golden Knights in a setting that always draws a little extra attention from evaluators and fans alike. The group includes goaltenders Ilya Nabokov and Nikita Novosyolov, along with skater T.J. Hughes, who recently signed with the Colorado Eagles, giving Colorado a look at several prospects at different stages of their development.
Director of player development Brian Willsie spoke with the group before the trip, and the players talked about being prepared and eager for the chance to get into game action. For an organization that has leaned hard into building and replenishing its pipeline, these early September skates matter because they offer a first glimpse of how the next wave handles the pace, the pressure and the expectations that come with wearing the Avalanche sweater. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Camp Could Get Interesting For One Reason Fans Didn't Expect
Training camp always has a way of turning long-term planning into immediate questions, and the Avalanche could have a few of them hanging over next season. Fabian Lysell, acquired from Boston, is a name to watch on the forward side, while Sean Behrens could give the club another look on defense if he keeps trending the right way. Colorados roster has enough established pieces to set a clear standard, but there is still room for younger players to force their way into the conversation.
Ilya Nabokov adds another layer to the mix because the backup goalie spot is not usually the kind of job teams can take for granted. If he puts together a strong camp, the Avalanche may have a legitimate decision to make as they sort out depth and reliability behind the starter. For a team with bigger aspirations, those are the kinds of battles that can quietly shape the season before it really begins. [Read more 🡒]