Avalanche Room: Visibly Frustrated Rantanen Talks Late Penalty, Loss

Well after the game had ended, Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen sat in his locker with his head down. He knew the questions were going to come his way, especially after his late penalty led to the game-winning penalty from the Maple Leafs.

To his credit, the visibly frustrated forward answered questions, and pointed to his penalty as one that shouldn’t have happened.

Take a look at what Rantanen said after the game, as well as what Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram had to say. In addition, read Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar’s thoughts on the game, and what went into the decision to waive Fredrik Olofsson earlier in the day.

Mikko Rantanen

Rantanen on if it feels like the Avalanche let that one slip away:

“Yeah, probably. We had a 2-0 lead, good start, and even tie game. I think we had it, we had it in our hands. Couple mistakes, including the penalty. Just make harder plays and there’s no rush in that play. Just try to execute.”

Bowen Byram

Jared Bednar on the game overall:

“That was frustrating, because I thought we played hard and did a lot of good things, but certainly didn’t score easy. I felt like we did it to ourselves at the end of the game. Refs were letting us play. We get two penalties that I didn’t really like. (Colton’s), he’s backtracking and working his butt off and goes into the body when he doesn’t touch the puck, puck’s right there. Bad decision. Then Mikko, time at the end of the game, throw it in the stands, and their powerplay the last 10 games is at 54%. Can’t give them too many opportunities, ends up being the difference in the hockey game, because I through we played really well. First period, get out to a good lead. Second period, same thing. Give up a couple goals late in the period, bounce back in the third, playing hard. Guys did a lot of good things. When you’re not scoring easy, you just can’t make a couple of those mistakes.”

Bednar on why there wasn’t a center on the ice for the Leafs third goal:

“Mikko jumped for Mack on the change. They’re beside each other on the bench. They do it sometimes, just whoever is ready and there, but that was a mistake. Sent the winger for a center, and then we don’t have a center. Like to have that goal back too. Doesn’t deflect it, shot from the point. We need a save on that one, I think.”

Bednar on this current segment:

“We went through that stretch where we didnt play well, so now the pressure’s on to have a good segment. It’s our worst segment of the year so far (3-5-1). That’s the kind of heat we’re trying to put on our guys. Every game is an important game, but there’s no question, you’ve still got to look at the big picture. It’s about the process, but we’re also fighting for the division and home ice and everything else, that’s starting to come into play now. When you play hard and play well, and don’t come away with any points, it’s frustrating.”

On why the Avalanche waived Olofsson:

“Flexibility for the roster. We’re sitting right at 22, 23 guys. (Wagner) has come up and played well. Obviously, we have the option to be able to assign him. Yeah, just flexibility.”