Sure it’s early in the year, but it would be wrong to ignore the happenings between the pipes so far for the Colorado Avalanche.
As Doug Ottewill boldly predicted would happen, Reto Berra, who has spent the last two years as an understudy to the proven veteran Semyon Varlamov, is already making a strong case for change.
The 28-year-old goaltender made 38 saves in last night’s 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. One of those goals was scored on a breakaway by the Kings’ Tyler Toffoli after the Avs coughed up the puck at the blue line. Not exactly an ideal “save” situation.
The night before, Berra pitched a shutout against 2014-15 Western Conference finalists the Anaheim Ducks, stopping all 35 shots he faced. It’s also worth noting that the Avs went on the penalty kill seven separate times throughout the game.
Berra seems to have a knack for making the most out of the opportunities he’s been given as a backup goalie.
Reto Berra earned the second shutout of his career for the @Avalanche. The other? In his last start on April 9. pic.twitter.com/1K6TnOmykl
— NHL (@NHL) October 17, 2015
Meanwhile, Varlamov has, at times, struggled in the early going this year.
Probably Varlamov’s worst performance of the season was against the Bruins last Thursday. The veteran was pulled in favor of Berra after allowing five goals on 19 shots in 35 minutes. The Avs eventually lost 6-2.
Varlamov has given up a total of 13 goals through three games so far, allowing four consecutive goals to the Minnesota Wild in the opener and three in a win over the Dallas Stars.
Berra has given up just two goals through two games.
To be fair, the porous nature of the Avs defense from last year has carried over in the first few games of this season. Following the loss to the Bruins, coach Patrick Roy said it was “chaos” in their own zone, and he noted that Varlamov didn’t have much help.
Varlamov will likely get the start Wednesday against the Carolina Hurricanes, having earned that role through his five season here in Denver. And although Berra looked solid Sunday night, the result was still a loss.
But if this kind of trend continues, there may be a controversy brewing between the pipes in the not too distant future.
Calvin Jouard is an intern at Mile High Sports and a student at the University of Denver
