Brandon Yip scored two in the Avs sixth win over the St. Louis Blues last night at the Pepsi Center.




Peter Budaj

Courtesy of Alex Ann Photography

After losing to the Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins by three or more goals each, the Avalanche were looking for a win to get them back into the playoff berth.

With plenty of scoring chances in the first period, neither the Avs or Blues were able to beat their respective goaltenders. Both Peter Budaj and Jaroslav Halak made big saves for their teams, keeping the score at goose eggs.

Just over a minute into the second, Cody McLeod finished up a hard forecheck and Ryan Wilson kept the puck into the zone. With a quick pass, Wilson was able to get the puck to Brandon Yip who popped the puck behind Halak from the top of the slot.

Jay McClement wasn’t to happy about that, and neither was Eric Brewer as they both scored goals within four minutes of each other. Brewer’s goal was a great one as every Avalanche was focused on the other side of the ice. Brad Boyes sent the puck to the Blues captain and the biscuit found its way home.

Whilst Matt D’Agostini spent some time in the box, Brandon Yip responded, hustling with the puck behind the net as Halak was sprawled on the ice and popping in a wrap around. It was nice to see Yip have a game like this seeing how he hasn’t scored since early December.

Brandon Yip Scores

Courtesy of Alex Ann Photography

Kevin Shattenkirk banged a precision strike home, just over the right shoulder of Halak to give the Avs a one goal advantage, again on the poweplay, nearly half way through the third period.

Ryan Stoa sent cheers through the Pepsi Center when, upon video review, it was deemed he’d scored a good goal, the puck barely squirting between the leg pads of Halak and sliding over the goal line just slightly. The Avs were up by two goals, 4-2.

With under two minutes left in the game, David Backes managed to bring the score within one after pulling their keeper. The Blues tried, and nearly succeeded, in tying up the score if it weren’t for a great toe save by Budaj.

Notes: Kyle Cumiskey notched two assists tonight. John-Michael Liles was also credited with an assist, bringing his point total to 35 for the season.

What did you think? Where did the Avs improve? What do they still need to work on?

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  4. Avalanche Send Off 2010 In Typical, Mediocre Fashion
  5. Bruins Maul Avs 6-2