VIDEO: Ducks Edge Avalanche

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks finished their brief two-game road trip against the Colorado Avalanche. John Gibson was in net against Semyon Varlamov.

First Period

The Avs would score first in this game as J.T. Compher would find Nathan MacKinnon at the side of the Anaheim net. From a bad angle, MacKinnon was able to shoot the puck over the outstretched Gibson to make 1-0 Colorado. Towards the end of the period, Ryan Getzlaf would get called for a cross-check and head to the box. Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen would score with the extra man to make it a 2-0 lead.

Second Period

In the middle frame, it was all Anaheim. First Corey Perry would score after Cam Fowler took a point shot that was deflected and came to Perry all alone in front. Perry kicked the puck to his stick and was able to shoot it past an outstretched Varlamov. About a minute later Daniel Sprong would find a streaking Ryan Getzlaf, who blasted a shot past Varlamov to tie the game. Next Sprong would get his own goal after getting to a rebound and putting it five-hole. The Ducks led 3-2 after two periods.

Third Period

Colorado would tie the game as Sven Andrighetto would sneak past the Anaheim defense and receive a pass for an easy tap-in score. In the middle of the period, Colorado had a power play, but the Ducks were able to keep them off the board. The teams exchanged chances, but both goalies made quality saves. It looked like the game might be headed to overtime, until the Ducks went on a power play in the final minutes of the game. Nick Ritchie put the puck past Varlamov, but it hit the post and sat in the crease. Corey Perry rushed in and tapped the puck in for the score. Colorado would pull their goalie for the extra attacker and Hampus Lindholm would score an empty net goal to make it a 5-3 final.

Analysis

The Ducks had a rough start to this contest getting down by two goals. Gibson made some solid saves early on or it could have been worse. Anaheim was able to turn things around in the second period and took their forecheck to Colorado. The Ducks did give up over 40 shots and a power play goal, but they were able to get a late power play goal of their own to win the game. The Ducks return home Sunday to host the Florida Panthers.

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March 16th, 2019