EL SEGUNDO, CA – The Colorado Avalanche traveled to the training home of the Los Angeles Kings as the Toyota Center played host to the annual Rookie Faceoff. After a comeback push in the third, the Ducks came away with the 4-3 victory…these are your studs and duds!
STUDS
Calum Ritchie
All the eyes to start this tournament, not only in the Avalanche organization, but around the Toyota Center were on the 19-year-old from Brampton. And though there wasn’t a flashy goal, there were 3 very NHL-caliber assists that put his hockey IQ on full display. But aside from the 3 points, it was the little things that he did away from pucks and in both ends of the ice that have impressed and elevated his status. Ritchie was clearly the most well-rounded player for the Avalanche and possibly even the whole tournament on day one just short of Macklin Celebrini. He’ll have the day off tomorrow and then most likely fans can expect him to play Monday when the Avalanche face San Jose. Further to his credit, he did it with his President and Head Coach in attendance.
Jason Polin
Designation of captaincy is always a well thought out move, especially in situations like a rookie faceoff where you are intentionally putting players in certain spots to see if they are meant for the moment. Polin is not a stranger to the “C”, an honor he wore through college. The 25 year old showed poise and leadership throughout the entire game and was instrumental in mounting a charge for a comeback. He was active and engaged on the bench, encouraging on the ice, and contributed on the scoresheet with a beauty of a power play goal courtesy of a Ritchie pass. Polin is an NHLer and today’s first game went on to prove it’s not a matter of if, rather when.
Max Curran
After being drafted in June by the Avalanche, the lengthy centerman got his first real taste of the NHL and delivered with a goal late in the third period off an Ivan Ivan dish. Curran sniffed out pucks all over the ice, and when he found them on the regular, he made smart and decisive plays. This is a very young and very fresh player, but the eye test certainly passed with flying colors, setting up what will be an exciting player to watch through his development.
DUDS
Whistles and Penalties
At the end of the day, it’s not just an evaluation for the players, the officials are also on the spot and under the microscope. And it is sort of in the job description to call penalties, however the majority of the attention is on the players, and flow of a game is essential to get into the groove so to speak. The three periods dragged on and there was no flow with several whistles grinding the game to a halt. Some of this can also be attributed to over-aggressive play by the skaters trying to make their mark. The game shifted notably at the start of the third with a stretch of 6 minutes of uninterrupted play. Let ’em play.
Marek Howell
The very late addition of Howell to the roster makes it unfair to gauge his play or evaluate it properly. Combine travel, nerves, new faces, systems, and excitement fueled by pressure knowing there is an opportunity and you’re bound to maybe have an off night. Hopefully, there will be more opportunities throughout the rest of the weekend to show off his skill.
