Nathan MacKinnon sing victory song Colorado avalanche claws win against New York university tonight

In a spirited showdown tonight, Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon led his team to a thrilling victory over New York University in an unexpected exhibition game that turned into a celebration of both skill and sportsmanship. The Avalanche, known for their NHL dominance, brought intensity and flair to the ice as they edged out NYU in a fast-paced matchup that had fans on their feet.

The final score? Avalanche 5, NYU 3.

While the contest was more of a friendly exhibition than a league game, it was far from lacking in excitement. MacKinnon, who tallied two goals and an assist, was clearly enjoying himself — and the crowd — as he capped off the night by leading the team in a spontaneous victory chant in the locker room, belting out a rendition of the Avalanche’s unofficial “victory song,” much to the delight of fans and teammates.

“It’s all about having fun, especially in games like this,” MacKinnon said postgame, still catching his breath. “The NYU boys played hard — lots of energy out there. It reminded me of my early days.”

The matchup, part of a special collegiate outreach program by the Avalanche to promote youth hockey and strengthen community ties, gave NYU’s squad a rare chance to skate against NHL-caliber talent. Despite the loss, the college players held their own, showing off impressive speed and coordination, and even briefly tying the score in the second period.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar praised both teams, saying, “It was great to see the guys relax a little and play for the love of the game. Credit to NYU — they didn’t back down, and that’s exactly what you want to see.”

As the night closed with fans cheering and MacKinnon’s triumphant tune echoing through the halls of Ball Arena, it was clear that this game was about more than the score — it was a celebration of hockey at every level.