Violence on Ice: Valeri Nichushkin Suffers Bloodied Face Following Jamie Benn's Check
Goin' Down Swinging: Avalanche's Shocking Game 7 Loss to Dallas Stars
The post-game buzz in Colorado is far from the ecstatic vibes following Game 6's offensive showdown. Game 7 against Dallas Stars, a 4-2 nail-biter, promises to be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Let's dive in!
This blood-boiling nail-biter saw the two teams battle it out with a combined total of 15 goals in the previous game, but in Game 7, they remained scoreless for nearly half the match at the American Airlines Arena. The first period was unforgiving, with Stars' captain Jamie Benn dishing out a brutish cross-check to Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin, leaving him with a mouth full of blood. Benn received a hefty 4-minute penalty, incurring a strategic risk.
With offensive powerhouses Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar on the Avalanche's roster, Dallas could've found themselves in hot water. Yet, the Stars' penalty killers, proving to be a tough nut to crack, successfully shielded their goalie, Jake Oettinger, from the Avalanche's relentless attempts to score.
Comically enough, the first goal of the game creeped in while the Avalanche themselves were a man down. Defenseman Josh Manson struck a shot off the post, squeezing it past the opposing goalie at the 9:50 mark of the second period. It was Logan O'Connor's skillful carry of the puck deep in Dallas territory that set up Manson with a solid pass, converting into a goal.
The second period ended with a 1-0 score line as the Avalanche took the lead into the third period.
MacKinnon Speaks Out: acknowledges Game 7 loss, credit to Rantanen
Nathan MacKinnon, the Avalanche's stalwart, couldn't hide his dismay following the Game 7 loss. The formerly 2-0 lead evaporated as the Stars staged a miraculous four-goal comeback in the third period. Mikko Rantanen, the ex-Avalanche player now playing for Dallas, contributed significantly with a thrilling hat-trick and an assist in the decisive third period.
MacKinnon expressed his shock and surprise, stating, "Man, it was pretty shocking. We felt we had the game under control, then... boom! That was a tough pill to swallow, especially seeing a team like Dallas without their key players."
MacKinnon acknowledged Rantanen's impact on the game, attributing his plays to the final outcome. He remained vague about the team's future, admitting, "I really don't know what we're going to do. We had our chances, but we couldn't capitalize."
It's a somber end to the Avalanche's campaign as they exit the playoffs in the first round, carrying the bitter taste of an unexpected defeat and the question of what lies ahead.
DeBoer's Stellar Game 7 Record vs. Bednar's Struggles
Numbers don't lie. Dallas coach Peter DeBoer has an impressive 8-0 record in Game 7's of playoff series. On the contrary, Colorado's Jared Bednar finds himself languishing at 0-3. The Avalanche franchise hasn't managed to win a seven-game series since their 2002 conference semifinals win over the San Jose Sharks.
It's a bitter pill to swallow, and the Avalanche will aim to bounce back stronger as the season continues. The lessons from this heartbreaking loss will serve as motivators for the team to make their mark in the upcoming games, giving fans plenty to look forward to!
Despite the Avalanche's offensive power, the Stars' penalty killers managed to restrict their opportunities in Game 7, resulting in a 0-0 score for nearly half the match. The first goal of the game ironically came while the Avalanche were a man down, scored by Josh Manson off a pass from Logan O'Connor.
In the decisive third period, Mikko Rantanen, now playing for Dallas, scored a hat-trick and provided an assist, leading the Stars to a miraculous four-goal comeback and a 4-1 victory over the Avalanche.
As the NHL playoffs continue, Dallas coach Peter DeBoer's impressive record in Game 7s in 8-0, while Colorado's Jared Bednar struggles with a winless record at 0-3. Many fans are eager to see how the Avalanche will respond to this heartbreaking loss and if they will be able to secure a victory in their subsequent games.
