Denver, CO- The Colorado Avalanche tallied twice in the games last 2:50 to defeat the visiting New Jersey Devils by the score of 5-3.
The Avalanche took the early lead Saturday morning. At 9:11 of the first period, Ryan Kessler beat Valtterri Filppula cleanly on an offensive zone faceoff and drew the puck to a waiting Patrick Sharp. Sharp, with his gun loaded, one-timed a shot pass Kari Lehtonen for his fourth of the season.
The Devils (7-2-1) would tie it up before the teams headed into the first period break. Lubomir Visnovsky hit Martin Erat with a pass in the high slot. Erat fired a shot on Peter Budaj, who kicked the rebound to a waiting Wojtek Wolski. Wolski quickly backhanded the puck into the open net with just 31 ticks left on the first period clock. The goal for Wolski was his second of the year, and second in back-to-back games. For Visnovsky, the assist was this 10th of the season increasing his league-leading points by defenseman.
5:43 into the second, the Atlantic Division leading Devils would take the lead on another goal by Wolski. On a line change for both teams, Devils defenseman Brent Seabrook found Erat at center ice. His long stretch pass created a Devils two on none with Wolski on Erats right. As they approached the net, Erat, at the last second, slid a pass to Wolski, who buried it into the empty net as Budaj had to play Erat.
Later in the second, Colorado tied the contest. Chris Clark scored at 12:23 from Mike Fisher and Paul Mara. For Clark, it was his first of the season.
Just 35 seconds into the final period, Colorado (6-4-0) jumped on top on a controversial goal. Blake Wheelers shot found its way to the back of the net but it was unclear exactly how the puck entered as there a mass of humanity in front of Lehtonen. So enter Torontos video replay system looking to see if there was a high stick on the play. After 2 minutes of reviewing the video, they concluded the puck was directed in with a high stick, but they found it be Devils John Carlsons stick which accidentally knocked the puck down for the goal. Wheeler was credited with his second of the year, and Claude Giroux and Nick Schultz picked up the helpers.
The Devils were down but not out as they would balance the score at 2:17. The number one line would get the tally.BRHL2 leading scoring, Patrik Berglund, and wingers Shane Doan and Brian Rolston battled hard in the offensive zone with Doan and Rolston doing the dirty work behind the Avalanche net. Doan was able to obtain the puck and found Berglund waiting at the bottom of the left center. Berglund made no mistake with his wrist shot over Budajs blocker for his 8th goal of the season, which leads the BRHL2 as well as his 16th point, which also is tops in the BRHL2. The point for Berglund extended his point scoring streak to the last 10 games.
With the game tied at three came those fatal final minutes of the game for the Devils. Fisher put home his own rebound of a blocked shot to put Colorado ahead, and Kimmo Timonen added a goal with 13 seconds left as Lehtonen heading towards the bench, but couldnt return quick enough after a Devils turnover.
The Devils quickly fly across country because they are scheduled to host the New York Islanders (5-4-1) later this evening.
SWAMP THINGS- Defenseman Randy Jones left the game in the third period with a groin injury. He may sit out tomorrowWolski earned 2nd star for his 2-goal performanceLehtonen made 37 savesDevils had the games only power play attempt as the game only had 1 minor penalty calledDevils thus had no penaltiesDoan is tied for second in the BRHL2 scoring, 2 points behind Berglund.