Avalanche fans should have Justus.
Jared Bednar should do anything possible to get Avalanche backup goalie Justus Annunen healthy, including using Nyquil, Mucinex, or voodoo. Make sure the Avalanche backup goaltender, Justus Annunen, is fit and prepared to start Game 2 of this Avs-Jets series. and prepared to start Game 2 of this Avs-Jets series. Make sure the Avalanche backup goaltender, Justus Annunen, is fit and ready. No. 1 goalie Alexandar Georgiev must be kept away from the goal and out of the line of fire. We love Georgie.
The Winnipeg Jets, John Buccigross, and the moose in south Manitoba all know it. Georgiev has let in 29 goals in his last six games.
He’s toast.
Bednar, the respected coach of the Avalanche, is running out of options and time. Winnipeg scored seven goals against Georgiev in Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoff series on Sunday, just a week after scoring a touchdown and an extra point at Ball Arena.In this game, it took two periods for Georgiev to let in four goals and three periods to let in seven.
When the other team scores seven goals, it's a team failure. There was hope that the Avalanche had a higher level of play for the playoffs, and that Bednar's weak defense would improve.
But there's no improvement. They need a goalie who can save them in tough situations.
Georgie is not that goalie.
With 5:20 left and the score at 7-5, the Avs had 36 shots compared to the Jets' 19 and had 10 “high-danger” chances. According to NaturalStatTrick.com, with an average goalie, the Avs should've been winning 3-1 or 3-2 at that time.
Nothing about this situation is normal. The pain is doubled by the fact that the Avs started strong, shooting 11 times in the first 10 minutes and taking a 1-0 lead, only to lose it in 112 seconds.
It's even more frustrating because the Avalanche were in control of a critical road game, playing at their preferred pace.
Alas, this is reality, not a fantasy game. Game 1 was chaotic, with both goalies struggling.
What happens when a team with playoff experience but weak goaltending (the Avs) faces a team with playoff nerves but a top-notch goalie (the Jets)? It's like a rollercoaster, with unexpected twists. After falling behind 1-0, the hosts quickly scored twice to take the lead. The Avs also scored twice in 18 seconds to go ahead 3-2, but that lead didn't last long.
It's like a scene from a crazy David Fincher movie.
The game was full of action, with multiple lead changes and quick goals. In April, Annunen won 2 out of 3 games he played and had an average of 2.42 goals against.
Even at 65-70%, could the child have been any worse than what happened Sunday?
“I don’t know if he will be healthy enough to play or not,” Bednar informed reporters Sunday. “He wasn’t fit to play (Game 1). We’ll see what happens (Monday) morning.” The more you consider it, the more saddening it becomes. The Avs heavily defeated Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck, your probable Vezina winner, with six goals — on his home ice. It was the first time Bucky’s ever been scored on for more than five in the postseason. And only the third time in his last 130 starts. was inadequate.
“GEORRRRRR-GIEV!” the Jets fans taunted.
“GEORRRRRR-GIEV!”
Still They know it, too. When the game didn’t locate Manson, it found Georgie. If he’s in the net Tuesday, the Avs are going to find themselves in Cancun.
Do whatever it takes, Jared Bednar. Nyquil. Mucinex. Voodoo. Anything that gets Avalanche substitute goaltender Justus Annunen prepared for Game 2 of this Avs-Winnipeg series. Anything that gets No. 1 netminder Alexandar Georgiev away out of the firing line.
“GEORRRRRR-GIEV!”
They know it, too. When the game didn’t find Manson, it found Georgie. If he’s in the net Tuesday, the Avs are going to find themselves in Cancun.
