Logan O’Connor
Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and added two assists for a four-point game, as the Avalanche held off a frantic Flyers rally in the third for a 7-4 decision on Saturday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center.
The Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup win in 2022 is an achievement that is a long time coming, a process that played out with a franchise icon leading the way at the top and started with another behind the bench, only to be placed in the hands of a hockey journeyman who rose through the coaching ranks. It’s also an achievement for the players who were around for the entire process, which included as many low points as it did the highest moments that were reached in this championship season.
Just like it has so many times during this losing streak, the momentum disappeared in an instant and the snowball effect started. A shorthanded goal for the Avalanche got the game tied and was the first of four straight goals. The Flyers managed a small rally in the opening period to trim the margin to one twice in the game, but eventually fell for the ninth straight game with a 7-5 loss to the Avalanche at Wells Fargo Center.