Those who spoke out against Alexandar Georgiev got their wish. En route to one last busy stop before the holidays, the Colorado Avalanche continued their road trip to visit some old friends and the San Jose Sharks. With this 4-2 win, the guests prevailed against their former goalkeeper in the third period.

The game

On a night of redemption, it didn’t take long for the power play to finally pay off as the Avalanche got on the board at 3:40. Val Nichushkin’s placement at the front of the net immediately paid dividends as he skillfully redirected a puck that bounced off the endboards past Alexandar Georgiev. San Jose fought back after scoring, firing 10 shots into the net, but the score remained 1-0 after the first frame.

The Sharks had the energy they needed at the start of the second half and were rewarded for it. First, Carl Gundstrom scored his first goal of the season at 4:26 when he took advantage of lax coverage and left Makenzie Blackwood plenty of room to maneuver since he was well out in the crease.

San Jose took the lead with 9:29 to play after a somewhat shaky game. William Eklund directed the puck into the air with a high stick, but several Avalanche players touched it before Eklund flicked the puck past Blackwood. Jared Bednar disputed the goal due to a missed stoppage, but the referees disagreed and the goal stood. The home team went into the second break 2-1.

The Avalanche typically find some effort and urgency in their game in the third period, and this contest was no different. Colorado scored another power play goal when Mikko Rantanen managed his one-timer to find the back of the net, and the game was tied at 8:26.

Then it was Joel Kiviranta who had one of his serendipitous moments in the game of his life as he scored two goals and put the Avalanche up by two goals. The first came right after a penalty kick and the second came after a broken play in the offensive zone. The goals counted and the Avalanche walked away with a 4-2 victory.

Takeaways

A lethargic start characterized this game, which again relied on kick-offs and comebacks in the third period. This style of play is becoming a hallmark of this Avalanche team, which for some reason finds it difficult to play a complete game.

Mackenzie Blackwood did his job keeping the Avalanche in this game, but the group in front of him takes more shots, which leads to more saves and a higher save percentage. The Sharks defeated Colorado 34-31 in a contest that has become a hot topic lately.

Rumor has it that Colorado Eagle Jere Innala will be playing in Anahiem tomorrow night. Hopefully he and Ivan Ivan will find chemistry in the five minutes they’ll play together, because the fourth line is brutal as it’s currently constructed and undermines any value Ivan brings to the lineup.

Soon

A quick turnaround to a back-to-back game tomorrow night at 8pm MT at the Anaheim Ducks.