Following the Colorado Avalanche’s 5-3 win over the Utah Mammoth on Friday night they were in a position to take the crown for this three-game Rookie Showcase tournament. Vegas, who had beat Utah 8-1 the day before, was also looking to take the title and go home undefeated with a win in this contest. Ultimately, the Avalanche rookie prospects came out on the losing end of a 3-2 game against the Vegas Golden Knights Sunday afternoon at South Suburban Sports Complex.
From the outset, Colorado’s greatest
adversary was not its opponent, but its own lack of discipline. The opening frame was dominated by time spent in the penalty box, forcing the Avalanche to lean heavily on their penalty kill. To their credit, the unit held firm, but the momentum lost to repeated infractions proved costly. Early momentum went to Vegas as they had puck possession nearly the entire first period. They were able to get on the board first and held that lead until the end of the period. A sign of life was shown by Colorado when Max Curran picked a fight with a much larger player and escaped without having much by the way of punches thrown by either party.
The Avalanche rookies showed a bit more life in the second period but also saw the penalty box as well as Vegas built on their lead. Christian Humphreys cut the score to 2-1 Vegas with a great individual effort on a steal and breakaway with a nice finish. That was his second goal on the weekend and hopefully the organization took notice. Unfortunately Vegas got the score back and ended the period up 3-1.
For the final frame game play was a bit more even as the Avalanche were looking for two goals to stage another comeback. They received one from Hank Kempf on a shot through traffic but it wasn’t enough to send the game into overtime as Vegas took the 3-2 victory.
Takeaways
The penalty kill, despite being overworked, performed admirably. Goaltender Isak Posch, who had surrendered a single goal in the first game before giving way to Mathis Langevin, shouldered a greater load in this outing. Though Vegas built a 2–0 lead in the second period, Colorado responded. Still, systemic issues persisted. Turnovers repeatedly undercut Colorado’s rhythm, whether in their own zone or at critical junctures in the offensive end. Compounding the problem was a consistent inability to win key faceoffs in Vegas territory. In the end, opportunities to seize control were there, but too often they slipped away—or were handed over—before Colorado could capitalize.
For a team short on high-end talent, the Avalanche rookies did well to score enough to stay in both games and ultimately win one. The level of polish they lacked, however, was more evident in the second contest against Vegas, who also didn’t have any big name prospects in the lineup. Gavin Brindley was held out in the second game, presumably due to his strong showing on Friday night, also didn’t help Colorado put their best foot forward in this one. Defenseman Linus Funck also was out of the game but more due to the upper body injury he suffered on Friday.
Standouts
Christian Humphreys to this point has not ranked prominently on Colorado’s prospect radar. Perhaps the scrutiny reached him, or perhaps the timing was simply right, but his response has been emphatic. In both practice and game action, Humphreys has elevated his play, showcasing not only consistency but also an ability to deliver in defining moments. Against Vegas, he capitalized on a miscue—a failed pass that turned into a breakaway—and with his speed and composure, he converted with authority to open Colorado’s scoring. It was a sequence emblematic of his recent surge: reading the goaltender, exploiting the opportunity, and finishing decisively. This performance follows closely on the heels of his game-winning tally against Utah in Friday’s opener, further cementing his early narrative as one of the showcase’s most impactful players. If he keeps it up, this could be a career-changing moment for him.
Defenseman Hank Kempf cut the deficit to 3–2 late in the third period, though the effort ultimately fell short of forcing overtime. Yet the goal felt inevitable; throughout the contest, he had been knocking on the door, generating chances that hinted at a breakthrough. When it finally came, it was less a surprise than a validation of his persistence. Kempf stands out for his speed, skill, and leadership. His performance on this night was no exception. There’s a reason why he was wearing the captain’s “C” for the showcase.
Upcoming
The Colorado Avalanche will open training camp at the Family Sports Center on Thursday, September 18, with the first skate scheduled for 9 a.m. sharp. The session is free and open to the public, offering fans a chance to see the team hit the ice ahead of the new season. It’s a family-friendly environment—ideal for kids, friends, or anyone eager to dust off their Avalanche gear and embrace the return of hockey. A pair of preseason games will follow three days later on Sunday, September 20th.
