Eurolanche

Avs shutout Bluejackets 4-0

The Colorado Avalanche opens their second game at home this season against the new look Columbus Bluejackets. Starting for the Avs tonight Forwards: Gabe Landeskog, PA Parenteau, Matt Duchene; Defense: Ryan Wilson, Erik Johnson; Goalie: Semyon Varlamov. Scratches tonight are Shane O’Brien, Tyson Barrie, Brad Malone

The Avs waste no time opening up on the jackets. Just 51 seconds into the game the Avs take the 1-0 lead. The goal was scored by PA Parenteau assisted by Matt Duchene and Jan Hejda. This is Parenteau's second goal of the season. Not long after Patrick Bordeleau engages in his first fight of his NHL career and just hammers Jared Boll. John Mitchell takes a puck in the face, not unlike Duchene in the previous game. Mitchell heads to the dressing to get examined. The Avs controlling the play for most of the period. After many chances, the Avs finally score again. This time Duchene gets the goal, assisted by Milan Hejduk and Chuck Kobasew. Right after the goal the Avs go on the PK. The Avs don’t have to kill for long as the Bluejackets take 2 consecutive penalties by Brandon Dubinsky. But then just seconds later the Zebras strike again calling a penalty on Jan Hejda for goalie interference. This gives the Bluejacket a very short 4-3 that quickly goes back to 4-4. The Avs do end up with a PP out of all this for 1:41. The Avs have a couple chance but nothing in the net. A little later things get heated and Jamie McGinn gets in his first fight of the game with Dubinsky. The first period ends with the Avs up 2-0 and leading in shots 14-11.

Good news for the Avs to begin the second - Mitchell will be back. The period starts off heated as both teams scrum it up. Things end up on the 4-4 with Dorsett and Landeskog in the box for their teams. Mid way into the period the Avs get called for to many men on the ice with Mark Olver serving the penalty for his team. The game continues on its chippy pace as McLeod gets 4 for roughing call, as well Dorsett and Foligno get roughing calls too. Varlamov makes a huge save late in the second. Shortly after the Jackets got back on PP with Landy ending up in the box. The Avs kill this off only to once again quickly end up in the box. The second period ends with the Avs still leading 2-0. Going into the third period having to kill on the Jackets PP.

The third begins with the Avs working on killing off the Jackets' 5th PP of the night. The Avs successfully kill it off with big thanks to Varly. John Mitchell comes back with stiches in his face to score his second goal of the season, giving the Avs the 3-0 lead. Hejduk gets his second assist of the night and Ryan Wilson gets his first. The Avs finally get a PP mid-way into the third. The Avs get a bunch of chances in the third. Mitchell gets a breakaway and hits the post. Finally after many chances, Duchene gets his second of the game in highlight style fashion to take a 4-0 lead. Parenteau gets the lone assist on the goal. The Avs win the game 4-0 over the Bluejackets. Varly played a great game to earn the shutout. The first line looked good again, as well as new comer John Mitchell making a strong impact.