Colorado Avalanche Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood Issued A Major Statement Following First Playoff Game
Photo credit: Inside The Rink
The Colorado avalanche ended up taking their first game of the series against the Dallas Stars, and after making his first appearance in the NHL playoffs, goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood issued a statement.
Blackwood played amazing for the Colorado Avalanche. If you didn't know it was his first playoff game, you wouldn't have been able to tell. He rose to the occasion stopping 23 out of 24 shots he faced. Everything just went to plan for him.
After the 5-1 win against the Stars, Blackwood spoke to the media, sharing his thoughts and feelings of making his professional debut.
«It was pretty special,» the talented goalkeeper said via NHL.com. «I've been waiting to play in the playoffs for a long time. It was great to finally get to play my first one.»
«I mean, the way I approached the game today was the same,» he also added. «Obviously, a little bit more intensity. You could feel it around the rink. But I mean, you have to go do the same job. I don't want to change things about my game. I know what I have to do to have success, so try to just approach it like a big game and go do the best I could.»
«I mean, the way I approached the game today was the same,» he also added. «Obviously, a little bit more intensity. You could feel it around the rink. But I mean, you have to go do the same job. I don't want to change things about my game. I know what I have to do to have success, so try to just approach it like a big game and go do the best I could.»
Blackwood's teammates support him
With how Blackwood has come into the Avalanche's locker room and kind of took over as a leader, he helps calm his teammates before going into games like last night, and gives them confidence.
«He's an amazing goalie,» said center Nathan MacKinnon, who had two goals and an assist. «I think we have a lot of trust in him, obviously. He made some huge saves. It easily could have been 2-2, and all of a sudden, it's 5-1, so it's a completely different game with his saves.»
«I think he's got a lot to prove,» his backup Scott Wedgewood also added. «He's got a chip on his shoulder. He's trying to put that foot down on a starting-goalie [job] and [become] a guy you can lean on.»
Charlie Coyle finally added: «He was awesome. Every time we needed a big save, he was there to keep us tied, keep us ahead. Every step of the way, they got a chance, we had a little breakdown, and he shut the door. You need that at playoff time to win these tight games. It's a game of inches, and he earned it. Enough can't be said about the game he played tonight.»
«I think he's got a lot to prove,» his backup Scott Wedgewood also added. «He's got a chip on his shoulder. He's trying to put that foot down on a starting-goalie [job] and [become] a guy you can lean on.»
Charlie Coyle finally added: «He was awesome. Every time we needed a big save, he was there to keep us tied, keep us ahead. Every step of the way, they got a chance, we had a little breakdown, and he shut the door. You need that at playoff time to win these tight games. It's a game of inches, and he earned it. Enough can't be said about the game he played tonight.»
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 20 | 98 ANSWERS Colorado Avalanche Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood Issued A Major Statement Following First Playoff Game Do you think Mackenzie Blackwood is going to be the Avalanche's goaltender for the entire playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 86 | 87.8 % |
| No | 12 | 12.2 % |
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