Colorado Avalanche: All About Ryan Graves 1st NHL Goal

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves scored his first NHL goal in the 6-1 rout of the New York Rangers.

The Colorado Avalanche finally got the game they needed. This is a team built for speed and scoring, so their troubles with both recently have been baffling.

So a 6-1 win was something they really needed.

Well, amidst our relief and excitement over the Avalanche’s win, something momentous happened. Ok, the momentous action was Tyson Barrie‘s three-point night put him into sole possession of most points by a defenseman in Avalanche history.

However, what I’m talking about is defenseman Ryan Graves‘ first NHL goal.

I was just thinking about Graves today and how I wanted to write a post about how well he’s doing. I’ve actually wanted to write a post about how he appears to be our gem in the ashes recently. However, other matters took precedence, so I didn’t get around to it yet.

Well, young Mr. Graves has forced my hand, hasn’t he? He went and got that goal.

Let’s go ahead and look at it:

All Avalanche goals are nice goals, even the two tonight that went in off players’ body parts. However, Graves’ goal was truly a handsome one.

What I like about Graves’ goal is how he’s in the perfect position to bury the rebound. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve screamed “Why wasn’t there an Av there?!” when I watch a goalie give up a rebound.

Well, this time there was an Av there, Ryan Graves. He used his big stride to get around the Ranger defender and beat the goalie with a nifty wrister.

Side not: Alexandar Georgiev faced 47 shots. I’m guessing the kid wished he was back in his native Bulgaria where folk play sensible games like soccer.

Anyway, Graves got the traditional dousing as he skated by the Avs bench for the celebration:

What a smart kid. He let his glove take the brunt of the water shower.

After the game, Graves was the hot interview. He told Altitude Radio host Conor McGahey that his game thus far has been about “not trying to do too much” and “sticking to what worked for me in the past — just keeping it simple.” He added that for a defenseman like him “Points are a bonus.”

Graves was a little less philosophical with rinkside reporter Lauren Gardner:

"“That [goal] was special. Sixth goal of a 6-1 game, but it’s something that you dream of when your’e a kid, getting your first NHL goal.”"

As he was speaking to Lauren, his voice was still giddy with euphoria. Indeed, long after the play had moved on, he was still smiling broadly on the bench. You just love to see that kind of excitement.

Ok, let’s give a shoutout to T-Brat. Barrie, of course, was the first star of the game. During his first star interview, he gave a shoutout to his grandparents who were in the Pepsi Center celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Anyway, the 23-year-old Ryan Graves has now played in five NHL games, all for the Colorado Avalanche. He’s in the lineup because of injuries to Nikita Zadorov and Mark Barberio, the former hopefully being close to returning.

However, I think Graves is making a case for staying in the lineup. I think there’s a lot of us who would like to see more Graves and less Patrik Nemeth.

He’s going to make the decision a tough one anyway.