Colorado Avalanche: Best Goals from the Checking Line

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DENVER, CO – JANUARY 18: Carl Soderberg #34 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates with teammate Matt Nieto #83 after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks at the Pepsi Center on January 18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Colorado Avalanche’s checking line was surprisingly good last season. Here are three great goals the players potted in.

The Colorado Avalanche had two consistent lines last season. One was the superstar line — which never got a proper name. It consisted of our stars, Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog.

Surprisingly, the other consistent line was the checking line. More games than not, coach Jared Bednar lined up Carl Soderberg, Matthew Nieto and Blake Comeau. While the rookies and other veterans vied for spots on the second and fourth lines, these three players consistently found work together.

As you can imagine, this was not a high-scoring line. That said, they were just oh-so-consistent. They were numbers six, seven and eight on the team for scoring:

Carl Soderberg: 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists)
Blake Comeau: 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists)
Matt Nieto: 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists)

So, as you can see, the line accounted for 97 points (44 goals, 53 assists). That’s really not too shabby for a checking line.

Now, NHL journeymen such as the players on this line aren’t known for scoring highlight-reel goals. Nonetheless, let’s look at some of the notable tallies these players scored in the 2017-18 season.

DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 31: Matt Nieto #83 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates with his bench after scroing a goal against the New York Islanders at the Pepsi Center on December 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Matt Nieto’s Game-Winning Goal

The Colorado Avalanche finished out 2017 on a high note with a 6-1 win over the New York Islanders. The game-winning goal was scored by Matt Nieto.

Side rant: Now, the Avs have a habit of hosting games at home on New Years’ Eve. Once or twice, the game started late, which made it convenient for the game to be your NYE plans. These last few years, though, the game has started at 6 pm MT — meaning you have to come up with a separate NYE plan. Annoying.

Anyway, Nietoi’s goal. The play came at just under six minutes into the second period. The action is in the Islanders’ zone. The Avs players are making New York goalie Jaroslav Halak work as he makes one, two, three saves in a row.

Finally, Nieto works his way in front of Halak. Carl Soderberg fakes a tip-in attempt but instead feeds the puck to Matt. While falling, Nieto tips in the puck past Halak to put the Avs up 2-0:

That’s a hard-work goal, which you expect from your journeymen.

STOCKHOLM, SWE – NOVEMBER 11: Blake Comeau #14 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his first period shorthanded goal against the Ottawa Senators at Ericsson Globe on November 11, 2017 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Blake Comeau’s Short-Handed Goal

Winger Blake Comeau scored an impressive three short-handed goals last season. Who knew Mr. Pass on the Breakaway had it in him?

My personal favorite of Comeau’s short-handed goals came against the Ottawa Senators in Sweden. The play was something of a recreation of the infamous Breakaway Pass debacle in that it came on the breakaway.

Only this time, instead of passing on the breakaway, Comeau takes the shot:

And he scores. Amazing what happens when you don’t leave the heavy lifting to another player.

The Colorado Avalanche went on to lose the game 4-3, which was less than ideal. However, Blake Comeau got over his own personal demon by scoring during a short-handed breakaway.

Embed from Getty Images

Carl Soderberg’s Game-Winning Power Play Goal

On January 6, the Colorado Avalanche honored Milan Hejduk by retiring his number before hosting the Minnesota Wild. Historically, the Avalanche have done well against this hated of teams when the game starts with honoring the past. However, in recent years, Colorado has still struggled with the Wild.

Midway through the second period, the Avalanche were on the power play thanks to Matt Cullen slashing Erik Johnson. The play starts out in Colorado’s end, but Alexander Kerfoot gets possession of the puck and races up the left side. Soderberg cuts in and positions himself in the slot. Kerfoot centers the pass to Carl, who sneaks it past Devan Dubnyk on the short side:

This goal by Carl Soderberg is just pretty. It’s pretty because it’s a well-executed goal. It’s pretty because it’s the game-winner. It’s pretty because it’s a goal against the Minnesota Wild.

That’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Next: 5 Awesome Defenseman Goals

Next: 5 Amazing Rookie Goals

Blake Comeau is no longer with the team — he signed with the Dallas Stars in free agency. Soderberg and Nieto will be with the team two more years. The Avs ostensibly got Matt Calvert in free agency to take that third position on the checking line.

The 2017-18 checking line was a special one for the Colorado Avalanche, though. It’s been a while in team history since a checking line has been so consistent. Here’s to hoping they can regain some of that magic next season.

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