Ad Blocker Placeholder

Colton scores twice, Annunen makes 25 saves to help Avalanche beat winless Sharks 

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Ross Colton scored twice, Justus Annunen made 25 saves in his first start of the season and the Colorado Avalanche beat the winless San Jose Sharks 4-1 on Sunday.

Cale Makar had an empty-net goal and two assists, and Joel Kiviranta also scored for Colorado. William Eklund scored for San Jose.

Avalanche's Kiviranta uses nifty hands in front to earn wide- open net
Watch as Colorado Avalanche forward Joel Kiviranta uses his quick hands in front of the net, to earn a wide-open cage and pot his first goal of the season against the San Jose Sharks.
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected

      Colton has five goals in his last three games, also scoring twice Friday night in Anaheim in Colorado’s first victory of the season. He gave Colorado a 2-0 lead in the first period, connecting on a power play at 6:23 and at even strength with 3:23 left.

      Makar has 10 assists through six games, and has points in each one. 

      Eklund cut it to 2-1 late in the first. Joel Kiviranta gave Colorado a 3-1 lead midway through the third, and Makar added the empty-netter.

      Vitek Vanecek stopped 18 shots for San Jose.

      Takeaways

      Avalanche: Colorado is carrying three goalies on its three-game trip. Alexandar Georgiev — the NHL victory leader last season — has struggled to start the season. Georgiev backed up Annunen on Sunday. Kaapo Kahkonen, who was claimed off waivers from Winnipeg, could get a start on the trip.

      Sharks: San Jose, which did not win its first game last year until November, is one of two teams (Nashville) still without a victory.

      Key moment

      The Sharks outshot the Avalanche after giving up two early goals, but Kiviranta's forehand-to-backhand goal midway through the third after a pinpoint feed from the point by Josh Manson stunted San Jose's momentum.

      Key stat

      San Jose, which allowed seven power play opportunities in each of its prior two contests prior to Sunday, had to defend a 5-on-3 power play for the third straight game.

      Up next

      Avalanche: At Seattle on Tuesday night.

      Sharks: At Anaheim on Tuesday night.

      NHL NEWS

      More Headlines

      COMMENTS

      When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.