Colorado Avalanche beat Chicago Blackhawks in overtime in commemorative game
Fifteen years ago, the Quebec Nordiques franchise moved south of the Canada-United States border and took up residence in Denver, Colorado. The team was then re-born as the Colorado Avalanche,
and would later add legendary players like goaltender Patrick Roy and defenceman Ray Bourque to their roster. During the year of the move, the newly re-launched franchise went on to win the Stanley Cup.
The Avalanche paid tribute to the 1995-96 Stanley Cup-winning team on Thursday night, October 7, by inviting Roy, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and many other former Avalanche players to
participate in a pre-game ceremony honouring the team’s first Stanley Cup championship. After that, a game between the current Avalanche players and the Chicago Blackhawks began. The home team impressed the visiting legends by handing the 2009-10 Stanley Cup
winners a 4-3 loss.
Paul Stastny, son of former NHL player Peter Stastny, paced the Avalanche’s offence with a pair of goals. But it was the Hawks who drew first blood in this game. Bryan Bickell got the
ball rolling by beating Colorado goaltender Craig Anderson with a wrist shot that was assisted by Marian Hossa and Troy Brouwer. Chris Stewart got that one back for the Avalanche, scoring an unassisted goal at 16:30 of the first period.
The second period began with Matt Duchene putting a tip-in shot behind Marty Turco, who was signed by Chicago during the offseason. Stastny would score his first of two goals at 13:51
of the second frame with a great snap shot that was assisted by John-Michael Liles and Chris Stewart. The Blackhawks made it a 3-2 game with a tally from Marian Hossa at 18:24.
Both teams would trade goals again in the third period, with Patrick Sharp tying the game at three goals apiece at 10:25. The teams would remain tied by the end of the third period, which
forced overtime. But the game would not remain tied for long, as Stastny scored the game-winner with 1:20 left on the clock in the extra frame. It was his second goal of the game, and he finished the game with four points.
Colorado played a great game, which impressed the NHL legends that were in attendance. “Great game,” said Patrick Roy of the Avalanche season opener. “Really entertaining. It was a great
night for us, for sure.”
Roy was also impressed with the play of Duchene, who led all rookie players in scoring last season. “He’s only 19 years old, but he’s handling the puck really well and competes well,”
said Roy.
The Avalanche will play their next game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, October 11, while the Blackhawks will take on the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, October 9.
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