There was one phrase to describe Valeri Nichushkin’s performance Thursday night: C’est magnifique.
Debuting the Quebec Nordiques throwbacks for the first time, the Avalanche had turnover troubles early and power-play struggles throughout until Nichushkin came through late to steal a point in a 5-4 shootout loss against the Carolina Hurricanes at Ball Arena.
Nichushkin’s second goal of the night, which came on the club’s seventh power-play opportunity of the night, helped Colorado claw all the way back from a 4-1 deficit at 14:09 of the third period.
Both teams had power plays in the overtime but could not convert.