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The Resilience of Alexandar Georgiev and the Colorado Avalanche
All those clamouring to have Alexandar Georgiev replaced after opening this year’s playoffs allowing seven goals, likely echoed that sentiment early in Colorado’s round 2 opener Tuesday. After allowing three goals on nine first period shots, there had to be a moment when Avalanche coach Jared Bednar contemplated pulling his starter. However, he’s glad he didn’t, as Georgiev eventually emerged the star in an unlikely comeback that saw Colorado erase a 3-0 first period deficit to beat the Dallas Stars 4-3 in overtime.
Georgiev’s Heroics
Many will discuss how far down in an overtime pool you would have had to pick Miles Wood to score his very first sudden death winner, but it was the Avalanche’s undrafted netminder, Georgiev, who made it possible by stopping the first five shots in extra time. The 28-year-old Bulgarian made a pair of world-class stops on Tyler Seguin in the first five minutes of overtime before making a glove stop on Wyatt Johnston in close that kept the visitors alive.
It was shortly thereafter Wood got a step on Miro Heiskanen in the neutral zone and outraced the star defenceman to the net before cutting across the crease to deposit a nifty deke past Jake Oettinger to punctuate a brilliant series opener. Woods’ dramatic goal came 29 years after his father, Randy, scored an overtime winner for Toronto in a conference quarterfinals win, making them the sixth father-son duo to both record a playoff winner in extra time.
Georgiev’s Redemption
Unlike opening night of the playoffs when Georgiev allowed seven goals on 23 shots against the Jets, none of the early Stars goals could be pinned on him. He was screened when Ryan Suter’s point shot beat him, Johnston’s quick release off a faceoff from the high slot was a doozy, and nothing could be done to stop Jamie Benn’s redirection in tight. Georgiev held the fort as the Avs found their legs following a seven-day layoff earned by beating the Jets in five.
Avalanche’s Comeback
Valeri Nichushkin and Cale Makar scored power play goals less than four minutes apart early in the second before Nathan MacKinnon quieted the American Airlines Center with the game-tying goal 39 seconds into the third. From there, each team took turns pressing for the game-winner eventually scored by Wood.
Georgiev’s Impact
Maybe, just maybe, the much-maligned Georgiev is capable of proving all doubters wrong by backstopping the Avs to a championship the way Darcy Kuemper did with the club two years ago. “He’s been huge for us,” said Wood, emphasizing Georgiev’s vital contributions to the team.
There’s plenty of hockey left in this series alone before we start talking about Georgiev as the ultimate difference-maker. But before the puck drops for Game 2 Thursday, there will be much to discuss about Georgiev and his potential to lead the Avalanche to victory.
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