Colorado Avalanche: Best Goals from the Checking Line
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
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.