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The Colorado Avalanche took home a dominant win on Saturday night, thoroughly trouncing the Arizona Coyotes with a 6-2 final decision against the home team in Glendale.
It was an impressive win for the Avalanche, who extended their penalty-killing streak to 23 instances and scored four goals in a fractional margin midway through the game.
They got some bad news, though, when it was confirmed after the game that defenseman Tyson Barrie has a broken hand. [Mile High Hockey]
Speaking of bad news: the team almost lost new defenseman Samuel Girard to a head injury, when he was punched from behind by Coyotes forward Zac Rinaldo.
Rinaldo earned a match penalty, which means an automatic suspension until the league commissioner determines his formal punishment. Given his history, that could be significant - although luckily for Colorado, Girard returned in the third period and finished the game. For a reminder, here’s Zac Rinaldo’s checkered past. [Broad Street Hockey]
Pretty exciting news in Vancouver:
#6 has #20 on the year... kid just keeps rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin'. pic.twitter.com/fmgHSJG3MR
— NHL (@NHL) December 24, 2017
For the Avalanche, prospect Dominic Toninato spoke to Mile High Hockey about what a dream it was to hit the NHL this year. [MHH]
Finally, a feel-good story for your Christmas.
I’m keeping the morning links short, because it’s Christmas Eve and I need sleep. But John Gibson just earned a shutout in his hometown, and that’s pretty darned special. [The Athletic]