Colorado Avalanche Defenseman Tyson Barrie Answers Doubters

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie answered doubters with a two-goal game against the New Jersey Devils, also cementing his space in Avs history.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie has been on the trade block since before signing his last contract… three years ago. And, as I pointed out in a previous post, Avs fans are on a rollercoaster with his style of play. Tyson Barrie giveth, and Tyson Barrie taketh away.

Well, in yesterday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, Barrie was all giveth.

In fact, he scored both goals in the second period. It’s the first time an Avalanche defenseman has scored twice in a single period since Jan. 4, 2016 vs. Los Angeles — when Barrie scored twice in the second period against the LA Kings.

The first goal came early in the second period with the game tied at zero. The play all started with Nathan MacKinnon in god mode weaving in and out of the Devils defense in their zone. A Devils player stripped him of the puck, but it remained in the slot. Barrie corralled the puck and fired it past Cory Schneider:

Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer threw a shutout in the game. That makes the above goal the game winner. It’s Barrie’s first of the season but 17th in his career. He now holds the franchise record for game winner by defensemen.

That goal also marked Barrie’s 69th of the season. (Nice.)

Naturally, in typical hockey manner, he credited MacKinnon:

"“That was pretty sweet. He is such a dynamic player, I think he had like three guys hanging off of him and he was able to bust through the middle. It just kind of rolled and I was fortunate. I was just following the play around, and it came right to me. Great play by Nate.”"

The second goal came just past the midway mark of the game, and it was a flukey one. Barrie must play some pinball in his free time because the puck deflected off two New Jersey Devils:

Ok, it was basically an own-goal by the Jersey player. However, as I always say, ugly goals count for the same as highlight reel goals. And it was goal #70 for Barrie.

With those two goals, Barrie reached the 50-point mark again, his third time in his career. He also had one 49-point season. Only one other franchise defenseman, Sandis Ozolinsh, has recorded more 50-point seasons — four, in his case.

With that 70th goal of the season, he’s in sole possession of second place on the franchise’s all-time list for defenseman goals. Just two more goals, and he’ll match Ozo’s record.

Barrie has now had six multi-goal games. That puts him second only to Ozo, who had eight all time for the Colorado Avalanche.

Well, with the 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils, the Colorado Avalanche have kept their playoff dreams alive for now. Their next game is on the road, and it’s an all-important one — against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.