Avalanche falls to Utah 6-3 in third preseason game

DENVER, CO – Two nights ago in Dallas, the Avalanche played a game against a very experienced Stars team and performed at a level that Coach Bednar was impressed with. Tonight, after 20 minutes in a busy ball arena, a solid and energetic first half gave way to two lackluster periods that resulted in a 6-3 defeat, including an empty net.

At this point in the training camp cycle, the expectations get higher, the leash gets shorter and the clock starts ticking a lot faster for the players competing against them to earn a spot on the inaugural team. The options are also becoming fewer and fewer. So when they're there, it's about finding a way to stand out and not blend in.

The Avalanche managed a 1-1 tie overall in the first 20 minutes and held a long two-man lead with 1:43 to play. It was Sam Girard below the goal line who made a short pass to Ivan Ivan, who in turn made a great touch pass to Miles Wood who slotted past Karel Vejmelka. Five minutes later, Utah scored the equalizer, also on the power play, Colorado was caught watching the puck and clearing the right side of the ice, and a Dylan Guenther one-timer found the net.

By the second, the energy had certainly changed as the Avalanche looked exhausted and Utah shifted into another gear. Perhaps the brightest part of the second period was the performance of Sam Malinski. An early double minor for high shots gave the Avalanche the lead, and Malinski illustrated the offensive-minded defensive strategy. The second-year pro made it almost coast-to-coast, then danced over the arc to take a 2-1 lead. After that it was all about Utah…Guenther scored his second goal at 7:19 to tie the game. At 13:13, Cameron Hebig sent a knuckle-puck floater that gave the Hockey Club a lead on a puck that Justus Annunen was sure to want back. Then, in the final minute of the second, a rebound bounced just out of Annunen's reach but in perfect position for Josh Doan, who put the ball in for a 4-2 lead.

The third was similar, but it was certainly highlighted by prospect Cal Ritchie's first moment of flash and creativity. The Avalanche were down 5-2 and looking for a spark, which they got from Ritchie, who scored a brilliant goal against a proven NHL goaltender to make it 5-3. Ritchie picked up the puck on neutral ice and was completely alone with a clean breakaway. He cut into the middle and just before the markers he faked a shot to get Vejmelka to bite, and he did. Ritchie then fired a great shot past the Utah goalkeeper. After the game, Ritchie explained with a smile that it was something he had done before and had been working on for some time, most recently at training.

For some players, taking defeat is the enemy of time. Other cuts have been made and will now be the order of the day. The Avalanche will take the day off and be back in action on Tuesday night at Ball Arena for their final preseason game on home ice. You can expect a strengthened squad for the Burgundy and Blue.

TRANSACTIONS 9/29/24

The Colorado Avalanche announced today that the following players will be placed on waivers with the intent of being assigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) training camp:

Jacob MacDonald, D

Additionally, the following players have been assigned to the Eagles camp:

Oskar Olausson, RW
Chase Bradley, LW
Tye Felhaber, LW
Nikita Prishchepov, LW