Colorado Avalanche: 5 Awesome Defenseman Goals

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 02: Erik Johnson #6 of the Colorado Avalanche is named the third star of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at the Pepsi Center on January 2, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 02: Erik Johnson #6 of the Colorado Avalanche is named the third star of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at the Pepsi Center on January 2, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Erik Johnson’s Game Winning Overtime Goal

Cornerstone defenseman Erik Johnson matched his career high in game-winning goals this season with three — he hadn’t had that many game-winning goals since his rookie season in St. Louis. Those three game-winners also tied all Avs defensemen — Barrie also scored three.

Unfortunately, Johnson spent a lot of the time out of the lineup because of injuries. He missed a total of 20 games. If not for those missed games, he may have enjoyed a career season.

In any case, three game-winners for the Colorado Avalanche is pretty special. Here’s the overtime goal that defeated the Central Division rival Winnipeg Jets:

This goal also gave the Colorado Avalanche their first win of the 2018 calendar year.

The goal itself is one of my favorite styles, the breakaway. Erik Johnson is a dream to watch skate. And when he takes off with that long, smooth stride of his, it’s obvious why he’s called the Condor.

His finish on that goal, the little snapshot at the end — what a way to beat the goalie.