The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 7-5, on Monday night. Center Matt Duchene scored two goals to take the first star of the game. This game was also highlighted by the Blackhawks’ change of goalie in the second period.
It was back and forth in the first period, when the teams scored six goals. For Colorado, Brandon Yip, Paul Stastny and Cody McLeod scored the goals. Chicago’s Troy Brouwer, Jack Skille and Bryan Bickell put the puck in the net during the first period.
The second period was the quiet period, though it was not without some interesting development. Avalanche center Matt Duchene scored the team’s fourth goal of the season, and Marty Turco was eventually pulled from goal. Corey Crawford entered the game. He stopped all 10 shots he faced in the period. Jeremy Morin tied the game at four with less than a minute to play in the period.
The scoring picked up again with less than 10 minutes to play in the third period. Troy Brouwer scored his second power play goal of the game at 11:43, putting the Blackhawks up 5-4. But the Avalanche answered back at a furious pace with less than three minutes to play. Tomas Fleischmann scored at 17:36 and then one minute later Duchene scored his second goal of the game. Ryan O’Reilly added an empty net goal with 23 seconds left to play.
Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson made 29 saves on 35 saves. The Blackhawks Marty Turco made six saves on 10 shots before being pulled in the second period. Corey Crawford made 17 saves on 19 shots.
Duchene’s two goals gave him the first star, and Tomas Fleischmann was the third star with a goal and an assist. Chicago’s Troy Brouwer was the No. 2 star with two goals and an assist.
The Avalanche (16-10-4, 36 points) have won three games in a row and travel to Chicago for a Wednesday night rematch with the Blackhawks.