/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47636387/usa-today-8916107.0.jpg)
It took a while, but almost a month into the season, the Colorado Avalanche did something they hadn't done all year. Play a complete hockey game. From start to finish, the Avs were in control and gave the Flyers little hope of having a chance to get two points. And that's no exaggeration. An unassisted Jarome Iginla goal that somehow sneaked through Michael Neuvirth's pads 57 seconds after the first puck drop put the Avs in front, and they never looked back.
Matt Duchene gave Colorado its second tally within a minute after the beginning of a period when Gabe Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon hooked him up with a nice little tap-in just 25 seconds into the second frame. #9 decided he wasn't done for the night in Broad Street, where 3 minutes later Nick Holden managed to keep a Flyers' clearing attempt in the attacking zone quite nicely, sent a pass to Tyson Barrie, who fed it to Dutchy for his second tally of the night and his sixth on the season.
In the third period, some seemingly impossible things occurred on one play that most wouldn't believe with their own eyes. What sounds more realistic? The Avs scoring a power play goal away from Pepsi Center, or Cody McLeod scoring a goal on a power play? What if I told you BOTH of those things happened at once? Is your mind blown? It should be, because #leadership. To his credit, the highlander made a nice play on a wrap around that was assisted by T-Beauty (his second apple of the night) and Carl Soderberg.
Mr. Fish's Three Sardines:
3) Jarome Iginla- The legend got his 596th goal of his career tonight and is now only 4 away from 600. Another quality game from the wily veteran.
2) Reto Berra- The Flyers didn't get many chances tonight, but the few they did get, Yogi stuffed them. For as much criticism as he's taken the last couple years, you have to give him credit. He's been one of the few bright spots this year for the Avs. Happy for him to get the road shutout tonight and the third of his career.
1) Matt Duchene- After being so snakebitten to start the year, it's great to see Duchene with the multi-goal game. He gave his teammates chances to score and had a couple of slight opportunities to get the second hat trick of his career tonight. I thought he was the best player on the ice. No trading this guy.
Mr. Fish's Three Flounders:
You know, for as bad as this team has looked most of this season, everyone played a pretty solid game tonight. Colorado outshot Philadelphia 40-25, no one had any unforgivable mistakes, it was just a good night as long as you weren't rooting for the Flyers. No singling out negative players tonight. We're just going to sit back and enjoy this one. On to Boston on Thursday night!