Avs Fall to Coyotes In Overtime

The good news is that the Colorado Avalanche picked up a point tonight. The bad news is they let one hanging, and that one point is one they probably should have acquired. Colorado had their chances and Semyon Varlamov put up a good effort. One that most of the times earns a goaltender a win. Not on this occasion though. Arizona, one night after dropping an overtime game of their own to Los Angeles, did not let the mile high altitude deter them and gave the Avalanche all they could have wanted. A good hockey game from both teams, and unfortunately the bad guys got the win, and the good boys half of that.

1st Period: An odd sequence between Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Alex Tanguay drew a double-minor on the Coyotes as a result of a high stick, and a minor on Tanguay for roughing, although I did not see anything from Tangs that warranted roughing. Regardless, the Avs got a couple minutes of power play time, and it was converted by the ageless veteran Jarome Iginla for his 599th goal. I do believe scoring that many goals in your NHL career is better than average. Correct me if I'm wrong on that.

2nd Period: Nothing to see here if you're looking for scoring. Top highlight had to be Andres Martinsen fighting and throwing Steve Downie on his back. Other than that, a pedestrian period from both teams.

3rd Period: The Coyotes tied it early after Michael Stone fired a rocket from the point that buzzed by Varlamov's right shoulder. Both teams had their chances to get a go-ahead goal throughout the rest of the final frame, but both Varlamov and Arizona goalie Andres Lindback thwarted all opportunities, and that meant bonus hockey.

Overtime: Once again, three on three hockey proved to be incredible to watch. Arizona dominated the first minute or so, but couldn't find the back of the net. Then Colorado had their chances. Iginla nearly got his 600th, and Francois Beauchemin hit the crossbar. With just over a minute remaining, Duchene got a two on one chance, squandered it completely, allowing the Coyotes to pick up the puck and score. Tyson Barrie couldn't catch Mikkel Boedker, and the breakaway proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back for Colorado.

Mr. Fish's Three Sardines:

#3: Jack Skille: Number eight had his wheels churning early on tonight, giving the Avs some good goal-scoring chances early on. He quoted down after the first twenty, but I don't think you can deny Jack has been one of the Avs' brightest spots this year.

#2: Erik Johnson: The Condor was moving tonight and provided both good offense and good defense for the burgundy and blue. Living up to that contract extension.

#1: Jarome Iginla: Solely because he got the only goal and his 599th. Had Jarome gotten the game-winner in overtime, the roof of my house would have become uncorked from my obnoxious yelling. We'll have to wait another day for that.

Mr. Fish's Three Flounders:

#3: Cody McLeod: He looked slow and out of position all night. Is that anything new? Not particularly, but he did nothing to show he's apparently one of the Avs' main leaders.

#2: Matt Duchene: I just have a hard time understanding what Matt was trying to do on that two on one in overtime. For such a talented player, he wasted a golden opportunity and partially gift-wrapped the winning goal for the Coyotes. Otherwise, for most of the night he looked lethargic. Not the same Duchene we've been used to seeing.

#1: Tyson Barrie: Not the best night for Barrie. Maybe he was gassed, but he had a chance to prevent the game-sealing goal, and instead he was totally out-skated. For someone as quick as Tyson is, that was both surprising and troubling. For the first sixty-four minutes though, not a lot of good to report from Barrie. Didn't make anything happen, looked like a defensive liability, just rough. Bounce back tomorrow night, young man.

Notes:

-The Avs fall to 1-2 in overtime this year, beating Minnesota and losing to Carolina and now Arizona. The Avs have not yet played an overtime game away from Pepsi Center this year.

-Tomorrow night the Avalanche take their talents to San Jose for a date with the Sharks. Puck drop is at 8:37 mountain time.

-Arizona is 2-0 against the Avs this year now, after claiming the first game 4-2 back in November in Glendale. The two will play once more this season, again in Denver, on March the 7th.