#3: Avalanche Win Exciting Game 1
The Colorado Avalanche won an exciting game one of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche won three out of seven playoff games against the Minnesota Wild, and, of course, all three felt great. However, the first playoff playoff game was a real nail biter.
Play started off right, with a goal from captain Gabriel Landeskog. However, the Wild tied the game up, and then they pulled ahead. The Avs tied on a goal from center Ryan O’Reilly, but the Wild tied scored two quick goals at the end of the second period.
The Avalanche came out strong in the third period. Winger Jamie McGinn got a goal to make the score 4-3 Minnesota. However, it rather looked like Minnie’s defensive style would end the game there, with the Avs down by one.
Then head coach Patrick Roy pulled the goalie, and the game got really exciting. The Wild almost scored an empty-netter to seal the deal. That puck was skidding down the ice, and it was going in.
Defenseman Erik Johnson saved the game. He flew down the ice and just prevented the puck from going in the net:
Stastny scored a few seconds later to send the game into overtime, and again midway through the overtime period to win game 1.