Evan Rawal
In the Turning Point, we’ll take a look at one moment in the previous Colorado Avalanche game that changed the momentum in the game, whether in a good way or bad way.
There’s been a lot of Bowen Byram hype on CHN of late. Maybe it’s too much, but that’s only because it’s been the “Bo Show” on the ice for the Avalanche.
On the third goal for the Avalanche, Byram didn’t pick up a point, but he started the play, and his skating ability led to the Avalanche gaining the zone so easily.
Moving and Shaking
Compher retrieves the dump in from the Jets, and feeds Byram. The young defenseman looks up the wing for a breakout, but sees the Jets have the wall seeled off.
There’s no panic in Byram’s game, though. He curls back behind his own net, and draws two Jets forwards with him. He reverses the puck back to Manson, who has nothing but time. Because of Byram drew everyone to the other side of the ice, that wall is now open for Manson to hit Rantanen for an easy breakout.
Just keep an eye on Byram at the bottom. After he drops it back to Manson, he books it out of the zone. That’s important in the next clip.
Jumping In
Rantanen hits MacKinnon in stride in the neutral zone, and MacKinnon must have heard Byram yelling for the puck. In six seconds, Byram went from behind his own net, to behind Hellebuyck.
MacKinnon and Byram play a little give and go, and MacKinnon curls back to lose his defender.
Net Front Presence
In a very unexpected way, every Avalanche player touches the puck in a six second span, leading to the goal.
Byram drops it to MacKinnon, who sends it to Rantanen at the point. Rantanen finds a lane, and sends it to the net. Manson, who was also just behind his own net, jumps into the play and cruises in front of Hellebuyck. He actually gets a piece of the Rantanen shot before it hits Compher’s body and goes in the net.
Focus on Compher in front of the net. He just outworks his man to get positioning in front of the net, and takes away Hellebuyck’s eyes. The puck hitting him and going in is a little lucky, but he worked to get there.
The Avalanche scored early and often against the Jets, but this goal was classic Avalanche hockey. Everyone gets involved offensively, everyone is moving, and the defensemen don’t sit back.