There are times when Colorado Avalanche netminder Semyon Varlamov decides to take over a game. Whether the Avs need him to or not, he goes rogue and stops anything that comes his way.
That was the case on Sunday as the 26-year-old Russian turned aside 42 shots to help the Avalanche top the St. Louis Blues 3-1.
“Varly was our best player tonight,” head coach Patrick Roy said, “and certainly a big part of our success.”
This time, the Avs needed him. Colorado came out swinging in the first period, putting home two markers, including the eventual game-winning tally, in just under 12 minutes of play.