Hockey is finally back!
Well, preseason hockey anyway. The first official (though not-counting) Colorado Avalanche game of the year saw Ball Arena host the Dallas Stars. Avalanche faithful from all-around tuned in to watch most of this game. I say most because ESPN+, the only provider broadcasting the game outside of the Dallas market, ended coverage near the start of the third period.
The Stars went ahead early on a 5-on-3 power play, but the young Avalanche stormed back in the second period to seize a 2–1 lead that held until late in the third. Heartbreak would come as a tied game became a defeat, with just .2 seconds remaining on the clock when a scramble in the crease saw Dallas put the game away as the buzzer sounded.
Losing a preseason game doesn’t matter. We all know preseason hockey is primarily about earning your spot on the final roster. As such, we are going to look at the biggest risers and fallers in terms of the stock each player who stood out has in making the final cut.
Risers
Calum Ritchie
All eyes were on the rookie from Brampton, Ontario, who has been easily the most lauded rookie for Colorado since Alex Newhook. Unlike Newhook, Calum Ritchie looks primed to make a major impact on the Avalanche roster in his first season. Ritchie displayed an active and athletic forecheck, including a few big hits. That’s exactly the effort coach Jared Bednar seems to look for from younger players. Ritchie also displayed his elite vision and passing as he scored the second goal of the game on the power play. Ritchie wired what would have been a third straight beautiful pass across the crease that then deflected from a Dallas defender and into the back of the net. First goal? Check. Now Ritchie needs to keep rolling throughout camp and the remaining preseason games to show the coaches why Cal isn’t just short for Calum. It could be short for Calder, too.
That deflection though 😮💨 https://t.co/Ko4B4hRhWY pic.twitter.com/jeOu4QUiqF
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 24, 2024
Matthew Phillips
Most Avalanche fans considered Matthew Phillips, the AHL/NHL “tweener,” an afterthought when the team signed him near the end of the off-season. Not so after tonight. The 26-year-old, undersized, winger has spent the last four seasons between the AHL and stints with the Flames, Penguins, and Capitals. Is Colorado where he catches on for a depth role? If nothing else, tonight shows that Eagles’ fans will have an exciting player on their hands. Phillips flashed game breaking acceleration and incredible touch on the puck during his action in the first preseason game. While the first goal belonged to Phillips, the coaches might focus more on the routine “effort plays” he showed nearly every shift. Diving for loose pucks, throwing the body on guys thrice his size, and forechecking in the neutral zone to create turnovers were all on the menu for Phillips. He played like he knew he would have to earn every minute of ice time he gets, and he wasn’t wrong. Earn that time he did.
First goal of the preseason! https://t.co/Sz9Ej4wW11 pic.twitter.com/lyzkkWf9NB
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 24, 2024
Justus Annunen
Justus Annunen saved 14 of 15 for a total .933 save percentage in his first half-game of the pre-season. Although a goal was given up in a five on three, it is warranted to dig deeper into Annunen’s performance to see just how good he was. Annunen faced eight high-danger chances (compared to Trent Miner facing just three in the second half of the game) and saved seven. That included this eye-watering leg extension to rob a sure goal.
That leg extension 🤌#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/RHeWLoAfcK
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 24, 2024
Annunen picked up right where he left last year: looking like the best goalie on the Colorado Avalanche.
Fallers
Calle Rosen
I don’t think any of us really expected Calle Rosen to compete for the NHL roster in his second stint with the Eagles. Rosen took several gruesome penalties and punctuated the time he spent on the ice with multiple turnovers. Rosen will provide the Eagles with quality, veteran depth but someone had to be in the fallers category. If we see Rosen in an Avalanche jersey looking like he did in this game, then something has gone very wrong with the health of other Avalanche defenders.
Keaton Middleton
Keaton Middleton provides grit and physicality to the AHL defensive corps. He was very physical, but if you are coaching, you certainly hope to see more, as you would say, legal physicality. Middleton didn’t take the most penalties in a penalty filled game, but he took the ugliest. Middleton is still the player he had been in previous Eagles appearances, but this is likely where his chances of cracking the NHL roster end.
Conclusion
Don’t overreact to the preseason, but if you do, then instead of looking at this game as a loss, Avalanche faithful should see a promising young crop that is going to challenge for playing time in the show. The Avalanche are back in action on Friday in Dallas for a rematch at 6:00pm MT. The game is scheduled to be streamed on ESPN+, but hopefully they will broadcast the entire match this time.