No, the Colorado Avalanche do not have a goaltending controversy, according to their head coach.
Jared Bednar pulled Alexandar Georgiev after four goals in just 21 minutes on Saturday, bringing in Justus Annunen, who shut the door the rest of the way. After the game, Bednar was critical of Georgiev’s play, and the penalty he took, but made it clear that Georgiev is the starter heading down the stretch into the playoffs.
Bednar also gave updates on Valeri Nichushkin and Sean Walker, who left the game in the second period.
Yakov Trenin scored his first goal with the Avalanche earlier this week, but he didn’t know it at the time. That’s why his game-winning goal on Saturday meant more. It didn’t hurt that it was against his former team, the Nashville Predators.
Yakov Trenin
Trenin on his goal meaning a little bit more:
“Especially, my first goal, when I scored a few days ago, I didn’t understand at first if it was me or not. Now, it is my first clear goal. Just happy and wanted to celebrate.”
Justus Annunen
Cale Makar
Bednar on why he pulled Georgiev tonight and not last week against the Penguins:
“Just gut feeling. I just thought he wasn’t sharp, so decided to make the change.”
Bednar on if the unsportsmanlike penalty played a role in him pulling Georgiev:
“It was part of it.”
Bednar on the Avalanche clinching a playoff spot:
“That’s the goal, right? Get in the playoffs, give yourself a chance. It just shows the dedication, the hard work that all the guys are putting into every season. Try to keep improving from the season before and yep, feels good.”
Bednar on rallying behind Trenin against his old team:
“Yeah, I think so. They started their fourth line, so we started ours, but he had a good night again tonight. He’s been really good for us. Solid defensively, heavy player, great on the penalty kill, makes a huge impact on our penalty kill. Tonight, he had multiple scoring chances, and good ones too. I was really happy with his game tonight.”
Bednar on if the game turned for the Avalanche on the major penalty:
“No, they were going well before that. That was obviously a huge moment. We could have had a handful of goals in that powerplay. I thought the goalie made some huge saves on that. Obviously, the Mikko tip hit the crossbar. If it’s an inch down, it’s in the net, so we got some really good looks on that. Powerplay was really dangerous tonight. Penalty kill was great. Pratter and Ray did a nice job getting those guys prepared. Didn’t like our first period five-on-five, but after that we played really well.”
Bednar on a Walker update:
“Not yet. Upper-body injury, though. Hopefully we get good news.”
Bednar on if Nichushkin will go on road trip with Avalanche:
“He’s going to stay here and skate at first and then probably meet the team.”
Bednar on Georgiev showing more frustration this year:
“I don’t know. You’d have to ask him. That’s a question for Georgie.”
Bednar on his confidence level in Annunen in net for the Avalanche:
“It’s getting high. He’s played really well for us.”
Bednar on if there are decisions that need to be made before the playoffs on the starting goaltender:
“No.”