Colorado Avalanche move into playoff spots with 3-2 overtime win over Anaheim Ducks - NHL Update
Colorado Avalanche made it into the playoff spots with a big 3-2 overtime win over Anaheim Ducks on Monday, March 12, 2012 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
The Avalanche who had been on the cusp of reaching the eighth spot finally managed to take their chance and a wonderful performance helped them secure a much needed two points.
Colorado’s win moves them up into eighth with 78 points in the Western Conference as star forward Gabriel Landeskog scored what could be his most important goal of the season in overtime.
A brilliant performance in front of goal by goaltender Semyon Varlamov who saved 38 shots during the game helped the Avalanche keep the game level as the Ducks outshot their hosts 40-33.
Landeskog who felt sick before the game showed no such signs as he took to the rink and his goal ended the already slim chances of Anaheim to make the playoffs.
The forward said after the game.
"We're in playoff mode already, and we've been in playoff mode the last couple of weeks. We just have to keep it going."
Anaheim though gave it their all but were hampered by the brilliant performance of Varlamov whose wonderful form kept the game from getting out of Colorado’s reach.
The loss brings the Ducks down to 12 in the Western Conference with 69-points and with a nine-point gap between them and eighth place, their dreams of making the playoffs ended.
Coach Bruce Boudreau held up the white flag after the game and conceded that their season is over.
"This was our season. We had to win this game."
Boudreau also went on to praise Varlamov’s performance against his team saying.
"When he's on his game, he's tough to beat because he's so athletic. He's good."
Colorado went ahead in the first period at 10:48 with forward Jamie McGinn getting on the score sheet. The Ducks tried to equalise but were hampered by an inform Varlamov who stopped attack after attack.
Anaheim were made to wait till the end of the second period for their equaliser with Francois Beauchemin finally beating the young Russian with just two-seconds left.
Both teams started the third period aggressively but it was Colorado who went ahead at 13:13 with Kevin Porter putting the puck past Anaheim goaltender Jonas Hiller.
Three minutes later though the Ducks equalised with star forward Teemu Selanne putting Anaheim back on level terms on the power play.
The Ducks will now face another tough test against Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, while Colorado will look to move up the conference table with another win as they face Buffalo Sabres.
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