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Go easy on Colorado Avalanche G Justus Annunen in loss to Devils

By Graham Tiedtke

ST LOUIS, MO - FEBRUARY 18: Justus Annunen #60 of the Colorado Avalanche plays in goal against the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center on February 18, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - FEBRUARY 18: Justus Annunen #60 of the Colorado Avalanche plays in goal against the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center on February 18, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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The Colorado Avalanche fell to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night by a final score of 7-5. That’s a lot of scoring for either side. At the end of the first period, it was 3-1. By the end of the second period, the score was 6-4. Justus Annunen was in net for the Colorado Avalanche against New Jersey. He has a 1-1 record now following the loss. His first win of the season came on February 18 against the St. Louis Blues.

At the end of the day, the Avalanche rallied together and almost made a complete comeback. If it weren’t for an empty net goal at the end of the game, the Avalanche really would have had a shot thanks to the players around Annunen. The goals scored by the Avalanche were from as follows:

Nathan MacKinnon had two goals on six shots. Valeri Nichushkin had a goal and an assist. J.T. Compher and Mikko Rantanen had a goal each.

The fact of the matter is that the Avalanche just made a few less plays than the Devils. Honestly, what do you expect from a young goalie like Annunen? Sure, it’s possible that he could have gone out there and blown people away from amazing goaltending. But that’s a tough ask.

The Avalanche also were without Cale Makar on the defensive end of the ice for this game due to concussion issues, so that’s always going to affect the team’s play. Makar always makes this team better and without him, the Avalanche just aren’t quite as good. It’s the combination of a young goaltender as well as the absence of Makar that really hurt the team on Wednesday.

Sure, you can make an argument that he he could have made some more saves, but defensemen out of position on goals allowed isn’t Annunen’s fault.

All that we can really ask for from Justus Annunen is to keep working in the minor leagues and to improve. This was a learning experience for the 22-year old goalie and he should not dwell on the outcome of Wednesday night’s game.

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