Colorado opened the showcase with a 7-6 loss to the host Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday despite nearly erasing a four-goal deficit. The Avalanche tallied four times in the third period, including getting two markers from Brandon Saigeon, who was drafted in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Recently-signed forward Logan O'Connor also scored twice in the outing while Ty Lewis and Matthew Boucher each recorded a goal. Both of the Avalanche's goaltenders saw action in the contest with Petr Kvaca starting and finishing with 15 saves on 21 shots. Justus Annunen came in in a pre-determined switch at 10:16 of the second period and made seven of eight saves.
"The whole tournament is an evaluation process," Avs assistant general manager Craig Billington said after Colorado's opening game of the tournament. "The guys worked hard, stuck with it. We have a couple more games to go, and we'll continue that evaluation."
The young Anaheim squad defeated the Los Angeles Kings rookies 8-3 on Saturday. Isac Lundestrom, the Ducks' first-round (23rd overall) draft pick in 2018, led the team with two goals.
Monday will be a practice day for all six teams at the Vegas Rookie Faceoff before the showcase concludes with three matinees on Tuesday. Colorado finishes the tournament against the San Jose Sharks at 12:30 p.m. MT.
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