Colorado Avalanche forward Parker Kelly described himself as “the puck guy” before Colorado’s matchup against the Calgary Flames. Then, he became a superhero.
Kelly went out and won the game for the Avs on Friday, back in the wing after spending most of the season adjusting to center. He scored twice in the Avalanche’s 4-2 victory over the Flames.
Kelly's first goal, putting Colorado up 2-0 on Friday, broke a personal 20-game skid without a goal.
"I guess it was nice to get back on the scoresheet, but I'm just going to play my game no matter what it is," Kelly said after the game. "If they need me at center or need me on the wing... I'm just going to get pucks in and get behind them and create energy on the forecheck. Bonus to get on the scoresheet."
Kelly capitalized on his new and preferred role playing on the wing, scoring that 2-0 goal by pouncing on a loose puck and beating Dustin Wolf cleanly.
He struck again early in the third period, restoring the Avalanche’s two-goal lead after the Flames had briefly cut it to 2-1.
“He reminds me a little of [Ross] Colton,” head coach Jared Bednar said after the game. “Part of their strengths is being really good forecheckers. Physical, can get into people, they’re putting heat on the defense all the time.
"We’re going to see a different style from Parker Kelly on the wing than we did at center.”
Valeri Nichushkin and Ryan Lindgren scored the two other goals for the Avalanche, while Blake Coleman and Jonathan Huberdeau did so for the Flames.
With key players struggling offensively, Kelly’s unexpected scoring proved crucial in securing two points for the 40-24-3 Avs.
