The Avalanche’s annual Burgundy-White intrasquad game Friday night at the University of Denver’s Magness Arena didn’t feature bushels of goals, but new NHL rules made for more free-flowing hockey.
The Burgundy won in dramatic fashion, 3-2, on rookie Wojtek Wolski’s slap-shot goal right before the final buzzer.
It was the first Avalanche game of any kind since May 4, 2004.
“It was a great ending,” Avs coach Joel Quenneville said. “The Wolski kid had another strong showing.”
Wolski’s buzzer-beater was a slapper through the 5-hole of White goalie Vitaly Kolesnik.
The stands were mostly full, and hearty ovations were given to the starting lineups. A notable exception was White forward Brad May, who was loudly booed every time he touched the puck. May left the bench early in the second period and did not return.
The Avs said after the game May left because of a minor groin pull. Avs star winger Milan Hejduk also suffered a groin pull, and neither player is expected to play tonight in an exhibition game against Dallas at the Pepsi Center.
The Burgundy also got goals from Dan Hinote and Cody McCormick, who had the best goal of the night. McCormick hit a slap shot from beyond the faceoff circle to the far post in the second period to give Burgundy a 2-0 lead.
Hinote scored in the first period, finishing off a 2-on-1 break with linemate Andrew Brunette.
The White tied the game in the third period on goals by Joe Sakic and Ian Laperriere.
Burgundy starting goalie David Aebischer looked sharp in his one period of work, making nine saves.
