The Avalanche will play the third period without defenseman Jack Johnson.

With 1:15 left in the middle frame, Johnson leveled Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Keegan Kolesar near the benches. He immediately had to answer the bell, dropping the gloves with Nicolas Roy.

At the conclusion of the fight, the referees reviewed what was later to be confirmed a five-minute major for interference.

Roy also received a minor for instigating the fight and a 10-minute misconduct. But he will be eligible to return late in the third period. For the Avs, they’ll have to mount a comeback with just five defensemen.

Colorado trailed 2-0 at the time of the hit but got a goal from Cale Makar under a minute later to make it a one-goal game.

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Aarif Deen
 is our Colorado Avalanche beat reporter. He covers Avs games live from Ball Arena and attends practices, media availabilities and other events pertaining to the Avs on the daily beat. He is also a co-host of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Deen joined Mile High Sports upon completion of his bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in business administration from the University of Michigan – Dearborn. Before Mile High Sports, Deen worked for the Michigan Wolverines Athletics Department as the assistant sports information director.

Follow him on Twitter @runwriteAarif

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