Colorado’s inexperience in the defensive end cost them the game tonight, as they fell to their rivals from Detroit, 3-1. Two quick goals in the beginning of the second period came off sloppy plays by Avalanche defensemen and Detroit used crisp passes to convert the turnovers into points.
Daniel Cleary scored his sixth goal in the past five games, and Todd Bertuzzi added a goal and an assist.
After being outshot all game, Colorado placed nine shots on goal in the third period, closing the gap and making the end result a respectable 25-22 shot differential. Colorado defenseman John-Michael Liles added his first goal of the season halfway through the third period to prevent the shutout.
This is the first time that Detroit has defeated the Avalanche by more than a single goal since a 4-0 victory against Colorado on February 18, 2008.
WIth the victory, Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard improves his record to 9-1-1 on the season.