The Colorado Avalanche will host the Utah Mammoth at Ball Arena for their home opener. This match is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT. The Avalanche secured a solid start to the season with a convincing 4-1 victory against the Los Angeles Kings. In contrast, this will be the Mammoth’s season opener.
Match Details
- Opponent: Utah Mammoth
- Date: Thursday, October 19
- Time: 7 p.m. MT
- Location: Ball Arena
- Broadcast: Altitude, Altitude+
- Radio: Altitude Sports Radio (92.5 FM)
Recent Performance
The Avalanche opened their season with a notable win. Martin Necas scored two goals, and Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves in the game against Los Angeles. Other goal scorers included Sam Malinski and Artturi Lehkonen, who contributed to the team’s offensive surge.
Key Highlights from Avalanche vs. Kings
- Necas opened the scoring early in the second period.
- MacKinnon made history with 1,016 career points, surpassing Joe Sakic.
- Malinski scored in his 100th NHL game.
- Necas netted a second power-play goal in the third period.
- Kevin Fiala scored for the Kings, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
Player Insights
As the season progresses, several players are standing out statistically. Nathan MacKinnon is tied for second in the league in assists and points. Cale Makar leads defensemen in assists, while Martin Necas is tied for second in goals. Joel Kiviranta is set to play his 300th NHL game in this matchup.
Statistical Leaders
- Nathan MacKinnon: 2 assists (tied for second in league)
- Cale Makar: 2 assists (defensemen leader)
- Martin Necas: 2 goals (tied for second in league)
Series History
In their previous encounters, the Avalanche scored 2 wins against the Mammoth’s single win. MacKinnon has notably performed well against Utah, posting five points in three games.
Upcoming Meetings
The Avalanche and Mammoth will clash again later this season with the following schedule:
- October 21: Utah
- December 23: Denver
- February 25: Salt Lake City
Coach’s Comments
Head Coach Jared Bednar praised his players’ ability to shift momentum and capitalize on opportunities, stating, “They got off to a little bit of a slow start…made some nice plays and capitalized on them.” Looking forward, the Avalanche aim for continued success at Ball Arena.
This matchup marks an exciting beginning for the Avalanche as they look to build on their early momentum and establish dominance in their home arena against the Mammoth.
