It was inevitable after getting a big win in Winnipeg that the rematch two nights later wouldn’t be as easy. The Colorado Avalanche fell to the Winnipeg Jets back home at Ball Arena by a score of 4-2.
The Game
It was another low event slog of a game with the Avalanche only mustering 23 shots to Winnipeg’s 21. Surprisingly most of the shot action came in the first period as Gabe Vilardi scored first for the visitors just under four minutes into the game on a tipped goal past Mackenzie Blackwood. The
Avalanche would respond on a Brock Nelson power play goal to even the score 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
Another early goal was in store for Winnipeg to begin the second period as Cole Koepke took advantage of a particularly poor shift from Brent Burns and walked around him to stuff home their second goal of the evening. Again, Colorado responded to even the score with Parker Kelly getting his own tipped-in goal to bring the score to 2-2 by the start of the second intermission.
The final frame is where the tide finally turned. Cole Perfetti put the Jets up once again and Jared Bednar challenged for goaltender interference because why not at this point. He was denied as the contact in the crease was deemed incidental and the goal stood. The Avalanche couldn’t get one back this time and instead gave up an empty net goal to Kyle Connor to arrive at the 4-2 final for Winnipeg.
Takeaways
Low key a storyline needs to be about how the defense core is shaping up down the stretch with Brent Burns slowing down and how much strain it is putting on Cale Makar. In this regulation loss Makar played a tick under 23 minutes at even strength, which is a bit ridiculous. This type of usage needs to be monitored moving forward as it is not leading to any more production or results.
Upcoming
Another game at home hosting the Calgary Flames at 6:30 p.m. MT on Monday, March 30th.
