CALGARY, Alberta — Through his first eight games following major knee surgery, Marek Svatos has one goal and three assists. Not terrible, could be a lot worse.
“Could be better, too,” Svatos muttered after the Avalanche’s 3-0 loss to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. “Things could always be better.”
The Avs’ leading goal scorer until he tore an ACL in his left knee late last season, Svatos always wants more goals, certainly more than the one he’s got.
“It’d be nice to get one or two and get rolling,” he said. “Every game, I’m feeling a little better (physically). I’m starting to move my feet better. Just have to get more chances and put more in.”
Svatos is playing right wing on the third line, with Tyler Arnason and David Jones. The trio accounted for only three of Colorado’s 22 shots, with Svatos getting none. They also were on the ice for the game-winning goal for Calgary by Curtis Glencross during the third period.
“It was a tough game. They always play us so hard here,” Jones said. “Personally, I think I’m starting to read off the other two guys better now. I think we’re getting some chances. We just have to keep working hard and get rewarded.”
Footnotes.
Avs center Ben Guite was a healthy scratch for the third time this season. . . . The Avs blocked 21 shots, to four by the Flames. . . . Colorado struggled again on faceoffs, winning only 40 percent (23-for-58). . . . Avs winger Cody McLeod nearly scored on a tip-in during the second period, part of a great shift in which he forced two turnovers with big hits.
Adrian Dater, The Denver Post
