These last few games in Milan may have been hard to watch as an Avalanche fan, with all eight of the representatives sent by the team facing off and eliminating one another from contention. All but two of the representatives sent by the Avs to the Olympics earned a medal, with Brock Nelson winning gold with Team USA off of Jack Hughes' 'golden goal.' The win, of course, meant that Team Canada, with longtime Avalanche stars Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews took silver, and Team Finland took bronze.
Sweeping the Podium
Team USA shocked the Canadians, winning in overtime thanks to a goal from New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes. On the roster was the Avalanche's only American Olympian, Brock Nelson. The 34 year old center had three points in five games, with most of his offensive production coming in the first half of the tournament. However, Nelson is now the third member of his family, and third generation Team USA hockey player, to win an Olympic gold medal.
Nelson's uncle, Dave Christian, was part of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team that won the Olympics in Lake Placid, NY, and his grandfather, Bill Christian, won the games in Squaw Valley, CA in 1960, meaning Nelson is the first member of the family to not win in the United States, and instead off of "home ice.". This time around, the US beat Slovakians, Swedes, and Canadians on their way to the gold medal.
MacKinnon, Makar and Toews were upended by the Americans in the gold medal game, with many on the Canadian team looking on in disbelief after the final horn sounded. The group represented something of a three-headed monster for Team Canada, with MacKinnon and Makar combing for 13 points and Toews helping lead the Canadian defensive group. MacKinnon had seven points with four goals and three assists, while Makar continued to showcase his ability not only as a shutdown defenseman, but offensive playmaker with two goals and four assists.
Meanwhile, Joel Kiviranta and Arturri Lehkonen both had two goals throughout the Olympics in Milan while playing for Finland. Lehkonen had six total points including the overtime game winning goal against Switzerland in the quarterfinals, and four assists while helping the team to earn a bronze medal.
Closing Out
For the two Avs sent to Milan who won't return with a medal, there unfortunately is no consolation prize, though they did still perform admirably as their teams pursued Olympic greatness.
Martin Necas had three goals and five assists, leading the team and Avalanche representatives in Milan in total points while playing for the Czech Team. Gabe Landeskog, in his return to full contact action after spending most of January and the first two weeks of February on IR for the Avs, had four points across five games, including a goal to open Sweden's tournament, and the first goal in their game against Team USA.
Landeskog unfortunately failed to bring Sweden to a gold medal, but he certainly regained his sea legs abroad, and looks to hopefully be picking his pace back up further along in his recovery in his return to Colorado.
Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar did indicate to reporters after the games concluded that some of the players who have just finished their games may not play in Wednesday night's game against the X. After an intense tournament and international travel, they likely deserve the rest as they readjust to the mountains.
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