The Colorado Avalanche secured a 4–2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday night at Ball Arena. The win continued the Avalanche's unbeaten run this preseason with their fourth straight victory.
Standout Performers
Ross Colton and Jack Drury
Ross Colton and Jack Drury have looked electric together this offseason. As soon as they began working with one another starting at the optional skates and into training camp, both players have been simply dynamic. But practice is one thing, games are another.
“You can practice all you want. You may look good in practice, but you got to get in a game situation,” Colton told Guerilla Sports following the win.
Consider it mission accomplished, as the duo demonstrated remarkable execution in a critical game situation. Drury initiated the scoring at 10:43 of the first period with a precise right-circle one-timer on a two-on-one rush, expertly set up by a cross-ice feed from Colton. The pair had diligently rehearsed this sequence throughout camp, and their performance on the ice offered compelling evidence that their hard work has been paying off.
Nearly six minutes into the third period, Drury reciprocated the earlier play by deftly redirecting a loose puck toward Colton, who had positioned himself in the slot with predatory anticipation. With Golden Knights goaltender Carl Lindbom fully out of position, Colton capitalized on the opportunity, deftly depositing the puck into the open net as Lindbom, sprawling in a desperate attempt to intervene, came up short. This decisive strike proved to be the game-winning goal, propelling the Avalanche to a 3–2 advantage, and they ultimately secured a 4–2 victory.
Jack Ahcan
Jack Ahcan may not appeal to every fan, yet he undeniably commands attention on my list—a veritable force on the ice. Representing the Colorado Eagles, he logs an impressive average of 23 minutes per game while contributing on both the power play and the penalty kill. In this contest, he was exceptional at both ends of the rink, demonstrating the full spectrum of his skill and commitment. Notably, Ahcan appeared in 62 consecutive regular season games for the Eagles last year, a testament to his durability and relentless work ethic. Witnessing such dedication in action is always impressive and inspiring.
Gavin Brindley
At this juncture, the Avalanche might as well secure him a roster spot. While the team’s initial periods exhibited moments of disarray, Brindley distinguished himself with both remarkable speed and unwavering tenacity. His audacious approach when entering the defensive zone directly contributed to the game-winning play involving Colton. By maintaining relentless pressure, Brindley induced a critical mistake leaving Colton perfectly poised to capitalize when Drury got the pass over to him.
What’s Next?
The Avalanche travel to Vegas to face the Golden Knights Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. local time.