Glenn Coleman
Apr 27, 2024 - 09:05

Nathan MacKinnon Colorado Avalanche Winnipeg Jets win five-goal outburst third period

Avalanche rally with 4 goals in 3rd period to take 5-2 win over Jets in Game 3. Georgiev solid in goal.

The Avalanche took a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series after Alexandar Georgiev stopped 22 shots in a thrilling game against the Jets. The highest-scoring team in the league, Colorado, found themselves trailing 2-1 in the final period before mounting an impressive comeback. They scored four goals in just over 10 minutes, sparking the crowd and stunning their opponents.

Nathan MacKinnon ignited the scoring run with the tying goal, followed by Valeri Nichushkin's go-ahead tally with 15:21 left on the clock. Nichushkin's goal came after a double-minor penalty was called on Gabriel Vilardi for injuring Devon Toews. Toews, who left the ice with a bloody face, later returned to score an empty-netter.

Artturi Lehkonen and Ross Colton added goals to extend Colorado's lead to 5-2. Casey Mittelstadt finished with three assists, contributing to the team's dominant performance in the third period.

The game took a physical turn with multiple penalties against the Jets in the final period. Despite Tyler Toffoli and Josh Morrissey's goals in the second period, the momentum shifted in favor of the Avalanche.

Connor Hellebuyck, a Vezina Trophy favorite, struggled in net once again, allowing 15 goals in the series. The game ended in a scuffle between players, leaving blood on the ice as the teams exited.

Zach Parise scored the first goal of the game for Colorado, marking the first time in the series that the team scoring first emerged victorious. Parise's performance in back-to-back games made him the first player aged 39 or older to achieve this feat since Daniel Alfredsson in 2013.

Georgiev, who faced criticism after Game 1, has regained his confidence with solid performances in subsequent games. Despite allowing a challenging goal by Toffoli, he received overwhelming support from the crowd with chants of "Geor-gie, Geor-gie." His resilience and strong play in the net have been crucial for the Avalanche's success in the series.