Gm 65: Nichushkin’s OT Goal Lifts Avalanche In Return

Colorado and Minnesota combined for four minor penalties in the opening 20 minutes. The Avalanche had two quality shorthanded chances on Nichushkin’s partial breakaway and later on Samuel Girard‘s backhander. Colorado carried a 1-0 lead into the locker room after 20 minutes.

The Wild carried some momentum from the end of the first period into the second, mainly controlling the puck possession game. Mid-way through the frame, Minnesota tied it at one goal apiece on Brock Faber‘s sixth of the year. The Avalanche lost track of the young defenseman, who rocketed a shot from the low slot.

The Avalanche generated another great shorthanded look on the penalty kill on Miles Wood‘s scoring attempt. However, he was turned aside by Minnesota netminder Filip Gustavsson. The Wild flipped the script, carrying a 12-7 shots-on-goal advantage in the middle frame.

In the third period, Andrew Cogliano pushed a stick on the ice toward Mats Zuccarello, drawing a penalty shot. On the chance, Georgiev turned aside the Wild forward’s backhanded shot to keep it a 1-1 game. Later in the frame, Georgiev stood tall, stopping back-to-back breakaway attempts from Kirill Kaprioz.

With under three minutes in regulation, Devon Toews redirected Girard’s shot-pass into the back of the net. However, Minnesota challenged for offside. The officials determined that Mikko Rantanen was offside and ruled a no goal on the ice. Unlike the second period, the Avalanche outshot the Wild 18-7 in the third period as the game headed to overtime.

Kaprizov was called for hooking in the extra session, sending the Avalanche to the power-play. Shortly into the man advantage, a centering feed from Rantanen caught a Wild stick before Nichushkin whacked away at it a couple of times before burying it into the back of the net.

“We’re happy he’s back,” said Georgiev “He’s a huge part of our team. Hopefully, good times for him coming up. Huge goal. He’s such a big competitor. He always wants to help us win.”

UP NEXT

The Avalanche went a perfect 3-0 on the homestand. However, a four-game road trip awaits, beginning Tuesday in Calgary.