Colorado Avalanche go in full throttle, down Anaheim Ducks 4-1 -NHL Update
Colorado showed the entire National Hockey League (NHL) that they were serious in their pursuit for a playoff spot as the Avalanche went in full throttle and downed Anaheim Ducks, 4-1, Monday night, February 27, 2012, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
The Avalanche were not looking like a playoff team before the 2012 All-Star Game and it was the same after it, but the past few weeks have been a complete turnaround for the rookie filled club.
"I think it's a combination of everything," Avalanche coach, Joe Sacco, said. "We know what's at stake every time we play. There's 18 games remaining and knowing the situation that we're in, it's fun. It should be fun for the players; that's why you play
the game -- to be playing meaningful games at this time of the year.”
Cody McLeod kicked off the scoring with his fourth of the year nearly midway through the opening period while Bobby Ryan was the one to level the contest on their initial power play opportunity during the final seconds of the second.
Colorado had enough with the score being tied entering the final 20 minutes of regulation and decided to take control from there on.
Ryan O'Reilly triggered the scoring spree with his 16th of the season 37 seconds in. He was followed by Matt Duchene nearly two minutes later and Jay McClement at the 14:46 marker.
"It's a huge goal for me," O'Reilly said. "I haven't been finding the net too well lately, been missing a lot of shots. To have a nice bounce like that is definitely great."
O’Reilly was not the only player feeling good about his contribution.
"It felt darn good," Duchene said. "As soon as I whacked it, I knew it was going in."
The Colorado Avalanche are currently on a four-game winning streak, including some major victories over big name teams like Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings. They have two more at home, with the next being against Columbus Blue Jackets.
Anaheim had their two-game winning streak snapped and have the chance to rebound in their next game against Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.
Tags: