Thrilling Overtime Victory
In an edge-of-the-seat finish at Madison Square Garden, Nathan MacKinnon sealed a thrilling 3-2 victory for the Colorado Avalanche over the New York Rangers with a goal just 2:46 into overtime. The match was not without its disputes, particularly regarding a last-minute equalizer from Artemi Panarin.
Controversial Equalizer
With only 42 seconds remaining in regulation, Panarin connected with a one-timer from Mika Zibanejad, leveling the game. However, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar contested the goal, claiming that Panarin’s stick made high contact with the puck earlier in the play, referencing a rule that defines high-sticking as any contact above shoulder height during gameplay or above the crossbar when scoring. This sparked a challenge, but despite apparent video evidence showing the stick above the shoulder of 5-foot-11 Joel Kiviranta, officials confirmed the goal, much to the disbelief of the Avalanche’s bench and the joy of Rangers fans.
Resilience of the Avalanche
Despite the setback, Colorado maintained their composure. MacKinnon, who scored twice in the game, increased his tally to 24 goals for the season, while Parker Kelly also contributed a goal—his sixth of the year. Martin Nečas notched three assists to round out a strong performance for the Avalanche. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood was impressive in net, blocking 24 shots. The Rangers also had notable contributions, with Conor Sheary scoring their other goal and Igor Shesterkin making an outstanding 39 saves.
Game Highlights
The match began with a series of challenges for the Avalanche, including an early penalty against Cale Makar for interference after he hit J.T. Miller. The Rangers took advantage with several scoring chances during this power play, with both Panarin and Will Cuylle striking the post. Colorado struggled under New York’s aggressive forecheck but managed to hold out until they could counter in the second period. Nečas set up the opening goal for Colorado, redirecting a shot from Sam Malinski past Shesterkin to make it 1-0.
The Rangers tied it at 4:23 into the third when Sheary netted his first of the season after a splendid deke. Soon after, the Avalanche capitalized on a power play after a tripping call against Matthew Robertson. MacKinnon reclaimed the lead for Colorado with a brilliant play, batting a Nečas rebound into the net for a 2-1 advantage. A close call followed when Brock Nelson appeared to tie the game, but video review determined the puck never crossed the goal line, keeping the score in Colorado’s favor.
Final Moments and Next Challenge
In the final moments, the Rangers pulled Shesterkin in search of a last-minute goal, leading to a furious final stretch that culminated in Panarin’s controversial equalizer, sending the game into overtime. Ultimately, MacKinnon’s overtime goal clinched the match for the Avalanche, who showcased resilience amid the drama. Colorado now holds a record of 20-2-6 and prepares for another challenge against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, with coverage beginning at 11 local time.
