Recap: Colorado falls to Minnesota 2-1 in shootout

After going a perfect 6-0 on a homestand going into this game, the Colorado Avalanche saw their win streak finally came to an end on the road as they lost 2-1 to the Minnesota Wild in the shootout.

Let’s take a look at how it all happened tonight.

First Period

This game was very low event from the start with shots 6-5 in favor of the Wild through the first 20 minutes of play. It was a cautious approach with a lot of blocked shots and perimeter play. Neither team would end up scoring in this period, and we would head to the second period tied at 0-0.

Second Period

The Wild would be the ones to break the ice first. Mats Zuccarello would convert on a little 2-on-0 opportunity off of a turnover from Martin Necas in the Colorado offensive zone, giving the Wild a 1-0 lead.

Third Period

There was a greater sense of urgency at both ends of the ice and then Joel Kiviranta would eventually tie this game with about five minutes left in regulation. Sam Girard threw a backhand shot on goal on this play, and Kiviranta deflected it past the Minnesota goaltender, tying this game at 1-1. From there, we would head to overtime to decide this game.

Overtime

The 3-on-3 overtime period would not be enough to decide this game, and this game would ultimately be decided by a shootout. Mats Zuccarello and Matt Boldy converted on Minnesota’s first two attempts, and the Avs were unable to find the twine on either of their two attemps from Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas, so the Wild walked away with the extra point here tonight in the 2-1 final.

Takeaways

Colorado’s win streak had to come to an end at one point or another unfortunately. Honestly though, there are worse ways to have it end than on the second half of a back-to-back in the shootout, because at the very least you got a point here tonight after not being able to generate a whole lot in the second or third periods. Obviously it’s not the outcome you probably wanted, but because Colorado took care of business on the homestand that they’re coming off of, they’re still three points ahead of Minnesota and pretty solidly in third place in the Central Division for the moment.

Upcoming

Colorado heads out to Calgary on Friday, March 14th to take on the Flames. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. MT.