Brindley Scores in Overtime as Avalanche Top Canucks 5-4
Gavin Brindley scored 1:08 into overtime, leading the Colorado Avalanche to a 5-4 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Key Performances
- Nathan MacKinnon recorded two goals and three assists, taking over the NHL scoring lead.
- Artturi Lehkonen scored twice, including a critical go-ahead goal in the third period.
- Valeri Nichushkin and Cale Makar each contributed two assists for Colorado.
- Mackenzie Blackwood made 29 saves, securing the Avalanche's third consecutive win and extending their point streak to 5-0-2.
- For Vancouver, Linus Karlsson, Kiefer Sherwood, Drew O'Connor, and Jake DeBrusk each scored a goal.
- Kevin Lankinen stopped 27 shots for the Canucks.
Game Highlights
In overtime, Brindley scored by following up his own rebound to clinch the victory. MacKinnon assisted on the goal after leaving the ice, finishing the game with five points and a league-leading 29 points this season.
Jake DeBrusk tied the game 4-4 with a power-play goal by redirecting Brock Boeser's shot with just over three minutes left in regulation.
Early in the third period, Lehkonen gave Colorado a 3-2 lead with a quick redirection of a pass from Brent Burns. Drew O'Connor responded for Vancouver, scoring a short-handed goal at 7:26 to even the score again.
During another Avalanche power play, Lehkonen scored his second goal of the night on a rebound at 9:47, putting Colorado ahead 4-3.
"Brindley scored on the rebound of his own shot to give the Avalanche the win. MacKinnon got an assist on the play after he had left the ice, giving him five points on the night and an NHL-leading 29 on the season."
The Avalanche’s resilience and clutch scoring in overtime secured their latest victory.
Author’s Summary
Gavin Brindley’s overtime goal capped a thrilling 5-4 win over Vancouver, highlighted by Nathan MacKinnon’s standout five-point game and strong team effort by Colorado.