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Varly, Bourques impress Bednar; Grigorenko continues to excel

October 1, 2016, 4:13 PM ET [2 Comments]
Rick Sadowski
Colorado Avalanche Blogger •Avalanche Insider • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Like the rest of the Avalanche, goalie Semyon Varlamov struggled down the stretch last season. He lost six of his final seven starts with a playoff position on the line and finished with a 2.81 goals-against average, the second worst of his NHL career.

Varlamov said he was nervous before Friday's preseason game against Los Angeles. He hadn't played on an NHL rink since last season, and his only appearance for Team Russia in the World Cup of Hockey came in a pre-tournament game on the international ice in Prague.

"Even if it was a preseason game," he said, "because I didn't play for a long time. The Russian coaching staff gave me the one exhibition game in Prague on the big ice, and that's totally different hockey, so I need to play a couple games before the season starts to get comfortable."

Varlamov, who needs to return to at least close to his Vezina Trophy finalist form of 2013-14 if the Avalanche are going to return to the playoffs, stopped 33 of 34 shots against the Kings in a 3-1 win at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche are 3-0 in the preseason with three games remaining.

"I'm happy to get this win and to get the confidence back," he said. "The last time I won a game was in April, you know? So it's just sitting in your mind all summer when is going to be the next win for you. It doesn't matter if it's an exhibition game or (regular) season, I'm excited to be back."

Varlamov arrived in Denver last Sunday and started practicing Tuesday. It took him a while to get accustomed to the altitude, which wasn't a problem Friday.

"The first couple days it's always tough, two or three days," he said. "If you train every day you get used to it."

The Avalanche were outshot 34-22, and the Kings owned a 71-39 advantage with shots attempted and blocked, so they still need to work on puck possession while getting accustomed to coach Jared Bednar's systems.

"He looked great," Bednar said of Varlamov. "I thought he was really good. He looked like he gobbled up all the loose pucks around him, he was steering the rebounds in the right area. He looked sharp, looked strong down low when they got to the net. A real solid game for him, for sure."

*****

Mikhail Grigorenko continued his strong camp. He scored two goals Friday, had four shots and won 13 of 18 faceoffs. Grigorenko has three goals in two preseason games after scoring the lone goal in the Burgundy and White game.

Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring off a pass from Rene Bourque in the first period in his first preseason game after returning from World Cup competition. MacKinnon had three shots and won 11 of 16 faceoffs while centering a line with Rene and Gabriel Bourque.

Both Bourques are on pro tryouts and making strong bids to win roster spots.

Rene had two assists, giving him four points (one goal, three assists). Gabriel had two shots, was plus-one, and has one assist in two games.

Bednar on Rene Bourque:

"I thought he was fantastic. He was probably one of the best players on the ice. He knows what's at stake. Those guys are hungry right now, they're playing hard and they're getting stuff done. He made a play on the first goal. It wasn't an easy play, drives all the way down and finds the middle option and it winds up in the back of the net.

"He's been a successful player in this league, a veteran guy and he's playing like a hungry, young guy that's wanting to earn a spot."

Rene Bourque, whose career has been on the down side for several years, isn't taking anything for granted.

"I’m just taking it day by day, sometimes points just happen," he said. "Obviously, I’ll take them. I’m just trying to use my speed and get some pucks at the net. I had a good summer of working out and I feel like I’m faster this year.

"As far as what’s ahead in the future ... it’s still early, there’s three games left. I’ll just take it game by game.”

Gabriel Bourque wore an 'A' as an assistant captain Friday, a reward for the hard work he's putting in.

"I love the way he's worked through training camp," Bednar said. "When guys work and do things the right way and lead by example, it's why he wore a letter. I know him as well as I know the players who have been here. I said before it's going to be a fresh start and guys are going to get what they earn.

"For me, to this point in training camp, he's shown me he's a leader because of the way he carries himself, the way he competes every night. I looked at the roster and I said, 'Well, there's a guy who should put a letter on and let's see how he handles it.' "

*****

The Avalanche didn't practice Saturday. They'll be back on the ice Sunday.



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