December 28th 2024.
The city of Salt Lake City was buzzing with excitement as the Colorado Avalanche and Utah HC were set to face off in what could potentially become a fierce rivalry. While the geography may suggest a natural rivalry between the two teams, it ultimately comes down to the players and their performance on the ice to make it a reality.
On Friday night, the Avs and their new neighbors from the Rocky Mountains took one step closer to making this potential rivalry a reality. Led by Artturi Lehkonen's first career hat trick and Nathan MacKinnon's three points, the Avalanche defeated Utah 4-1 in a thrilling match at the Delta Center.
MacKinnon, who also engaged in his first fight in three seasons, expressed his excitement about the game and the atmosphere in the arena. Despite being on the road, MacKinnon was thrilled to see a sea of Avalanche jerseys in the stands and the loud cheers whenever they scored.
Mackenzie Blackwood, who had just signed a five-year contract earlier in the day, put on a stellar performance with 34 saves, showing why he was a valuable addition to the team since his trade from San Jose 18 days ago. Lehkonen's second goal of the night, with just over five minutes left in the third period, solidified the Avs' victory, with MacKinnon's three assists bringing his NHL-leading point total to 60.
The Avs have been on a hot streak, winning four out of their last five games and eight out of their last 10, which is their best stretch of the season so far. MacKinnon acknowledged the team's solid performance and mentioned their record since their slow start at the beginning of the season.
The game also saw MacKinnon's first official fight since 2022, as the physicality on the ice had been simmering since the first period and finally boiled over in the final seconds of the second. MacKinnon, who has a reputation for being a dynamic playmaker, also showed his fighting spirit on the ice.
Head coach, Bedar, acknowledged the potential for a rivalry between the two teams due to their close proximity, but also praised Utah's young and skilled players who always give the Avs a tough competition. He also mentioned the need for his team to stay focused and continue to work hard to come out on top in these intense games.
MacKinnon's fight against Barrett Hayton was his first official one since 2022 and the ninth of his career. It was also his fourth against a player from Utah's franchise, with the first three coming when they were still in Arizona.
The game also marked Josh Manson's return to the ice after being out with an injury since November. He wasted no time getting back into the physical aspect of the game, engaging in several altercations, particularly with Utah's Michael Carcone.
Manson believes that with time, this rivalry between the Avs and Utah will continue to grow, especially with players like Carcone who aren't afraid to stir things up on the ice. However, he also acknowledged that true rivalries are often born in the playoffs and it will take time for this one to fully develop.
The Avs opened the scoring in the second period with a beautiful play that involved MacKinnon, Sam Malinski, and Lehkonen. MacKinnon, who is known for his impressive zone entries, made a selfless play by leaving the puck for Malinski, who then set up Lehkonen for an easy goal.
Utah, however, came back strong in the third period and tied the game with a power play goal from Nick Schmaltz. But the Avs didn't back down, and Blackwood's stellar performance in net helped them hold off Utah's surge and secure the win.
MacKinnon couldn't help but praise Blackwood's performance, calling him "unreal" and highlighting his commitment and skill in goal. He also mentioned the confidence that comes with having a solid goalie like Blackwood on the team.
In the end, it was a thrilling game that showcased the potential for a fierce rivalry between the two teams. But for now, the Avs will enjoy their well-deserved victory and continue to push forward in the season.
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