Colorado Avalanche defeated Minnesota Wild in the regular season match of the National Hockey League (NHL). The match took place at the Ball Arena in Denver and ended with a score of 2:1.
Artturi Lehkonen and Valery Nichushkin, who scored in extra time, scored for the victory. For the Russians, this game was the first after joining the NHL player assistance program.
The NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program assists players with mental health issues and/or addictions (drugs, alcohol). At the end of February, Nichushkin was allowed to train in Colorado.
Brock Faber scored for Minnesota with an assist from Russian forward Kirill Kaprizov.
With their third consecutive win, the Avalanche ranked third in the Western Conference rankings with 85 points, while Minnesota ranked 12th with 67 points.
Former Russian hockey player named Last chance to move to Carolina.