Varlamov Named Second Star of the Week
The Colorado Avalanche goalie set the franchise record with 127 saves in three games.The NHL announced Monday that Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov has been named the second star in the league's "Three Stars" for the week ending Jan. 11.
Varlamov went 3-0-0 last week while recording a 1.67 goals-against average and .962 save percentage (127-of-132). His 127 saves in that time set a new franchise record for the most over a three-game span.
He began the week by making a career-high 54 saves in a 2-0 shutout victory last Tuesday against Chicago. It was the most stops in Colorado Avalanche history and the second most in franchise history behind Ron Tugnutt's 70-save performance for Quebec on March 21, 1991 at Boston. Varlamov’s 54 saves were also the most ever in a regular-season road shutout since the NHL officially began tracking shots on goal nearly 60 years ago. Only two goaltenders have recorded 54 or more saves in a home shutout in that span: Ben Scrivens (59) and Mike Smith (54).
Varlamov followed his stellar performance at United Center with two more great outings at home. He made 36 saves in the Avs' 5-2 win on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators before closing the weekend with 37 saves in a 4-3 comeback victory by Colorado on Saturday afternoon against the Dallas Stars.
The 26-year-old native of Samara, Russia has compiled a 10-8-5 record, a 2.77 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in 23 games this season, and he has been even better in the crease since returning from a groin injury on Dec. 23. In his last eight games, Varlamov has a 6-2-0 record, two shutouts, a 1.97 goals-against and .940 save percentage.
This is the Avalanche's first NHL weekly honor of the season. Varlamov has been named in the league's three stars of the week two times prior with the Avs, both of which occurred last season. He was named co-second star with fellow Colorado goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere for the week of Oct. 7-13, 2013 and was named the second star for the week of March 31-April 6, 2014.
David Backes of the St. Louis Blues was the chosen as the league's first star this week while the Florida Panthers' Jonathan Huberdeau was named the third star.
-- Avalanche Press Release --
Avs begin road trip against Capitals
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12/01/2015 - 20:40
