In what can only be described as a heart-pounding spectacle of resilience and grit, the Colorado Avalanche stunned fans at Ball Arena with a dramatic comeback victory capped by a late game-winning goal from Daniil Gushchin, just moments before the final horn.
The Avalanche, who had trailed by two goals entering the third period, clawed their way back into the game against a fierce opponent that had dominated early. With just minutes remaining, Colorado tied it up, electrifying the home crowd. But it was Gushchin who would etch his name into the night’s highlight reel, slipping past defenders and rifling a low shot past the goaltender with under 30 seconds left — the puck “touching down” in the back of the net and sealing the win.
A Comeback for the Books
The game started off rough for the Avalanche, who were caught off-guard by their opponents’ aggressive forecheck and high-tempo offense. Down 3-1 heading into the final frame, coach Jared Bednar made key adjustments, urging the team to press harder in the offensive zone and trust their depth.
That trust paid off. Veteran forward Mikko Rantanen sparked the rally with a quick goal just two minutes into the third. The crowd roared back to life, and momentum began to swing. A power play midway through the period saw Cale Makar deliver a blistering slapshot from the blue line to level the score at 3-3.
Gushchin’s Moment of Glory
But the night belonged to Daniil Gushchin. Acquired during the offseason and still adjusting to the Avalanche system, the 23-year-old Russian winger showed why the front office had high hopes for him. With just under a minute left and overtime looming, Gushchin intercepted a pass at center ice, burst into the offensive zone, and sniped the winner with surgical precision.
“He’s been working hard every day,” said captain Nathan MacKinnon after the game. “To see him get rewarded like that, in a moment that big — it’s awesome for him and huge for our team.”
What It Means
The victory pushes Colorado to a 4–1 record in the early season and sends a message to the rest of the league: don’t count them out, no matter the deficit. For Gushchin, the game-winner could mark the beginning of a breakout year as he continues to earn minutes and the trust of the coaching staff.
“Scoring that goal was a dream,” Gushchin said in a postgame interview. “But more important is how we fought together to win it.”
Up Next
The Avalanche will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming road trip, with their next matchup set for Thursday night against the Dallas Stars. If tonight’s comeback is any indication, the Avs are ready for anything — and so is Daniil Gushchin.
Stay tuned for more post-game coverage, player reactions, and highlights from tonight’s unforgettable clash at Ball Arena.
