Postgame Wrap-Up: Newly-Signed Prospects Shine in Vegas

LAS VEGAS--Two of the Colorado Avalanche's recently signed-undrafted free agents made some of the biggest impact for the team in the first game of the Vegas Rookie Faceoff.
Forwards Ty Lewis and Logan O'Connor recorded multi-point outings and helped jumpstart the Avs' comeback effort, which fell a goal short against the host Vegas Golden Knights. Colorado lost 7-6 on Saturday at City National Arena after scoring four times in the third period.

"It's a fast pace out there. Lots of bodies being hit out there," O'Connor said afterward. "You just have to adjust, and hopefully everyone in the locker room can build on tonight and learn from our mistakes."
O'Connor led the Avalanche with two goals and one assist in the game, while Lewis tallied once and added a helper. Fellow linemate J.C. Beaudin finished with an assist as well.

Neither O'Connor or Lewis was signed by the team at this time last year, but they showed why they're now in the organization's future by playing a gritty game and creating scoring chances around the Vegas net.
"Coming into this, we had never played together, so it took us a period to get some chemistry under our belt," O'Connor said of his line. "But they are good, fast players, so it's fun to play with them and they move the puck well. We sort of built upon the first period, a couple chances there, and then the rest of the game I thought we kept on improving."
Lewis attended last season's prospect showcase with the Avs as a training camp invite. He parlayed a strong performance there into an entry-level contract from the team just prior to the start of the regular season.

The Brandon, Manitoba, native returned home following his NHL stay in the fall and went on to record 100 points (44 goals and 56 assists) with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League.
"I think the main thing for me is to bring my work ethic every day," Lewis said. "That is something I've always tried to focus on as a kid. That is something that I can control, my worth ethic."

O'Connor is the newest member with the Avalanche organization, as he signed a two-year, entry-level contract on July 23 after attending the team's development camp as an invite.
He played the previous three seasons at the University of Denver, tallying 43 points (16 goals and 27 assists) in 108 total contests. He had a career-high 21 points (seven goals and 14 assists) in 41 games with the DU Pioneers during his junior campaign in 2017-18, a year after helping the school win the national championship.
Boikov's Return: Defenseman Sergei Boikov played in his first game in nearly a year on Saturday.
Boikov hurt his shoulder in a Colorado preseason game on Sept. 21, 2017 against the Dallas Stars and had season-ending surgery, with the rehab costing him the entire 2017-18 campaign.
Even though Saturday's contest was just a rookie tournament game, Boikov was still looking forward to getting back on the ice and competing with his teammates.
"It's very exciting because the whole time I wasn't playing, I was thinking about going on the ice and help the guys and help the team," he said.
Captains:Gabriel Landeskog hasn't lost his job as team captain of the Avalanche, but the organization is designating three captains for its prospect games in Vegas.
Vladislav Kamenev, the only player with NHL experience (five games), donned the 'C' as captain of the rookies, while Beaudin and Nicolas Meloche were named alternates. All three players had the captains letters on their jerseys during the contest.
Kamenev has played in 149 total pro games in North America with the Nashville Predators and Avalanche organizations. Beaudin and Meloche are both at their third rookie tournament with Colorado and just wrapped up their first professional campaigns at the minor-league level.
Rookie Experience: The Avs had 13 players make their rookie tournament debut for the club on Saturday.
Among the first-timers were three 2018 draft picks: forwards Martin Kaut and Brandon Saigeon and goaltender Justus Annunen.
Netminder Petr Kvaca and Lewis were both playing in their second straight tournament, while Josh Anderson, Travis Barron, Beaudin, Boikov and Meloche were at their third rookie event.
What's Next: Colorado has a quick turnaround as it will play the second half of a back-to-back set on Sunday versus the Anaheim Ducks.
The contest begins at 6 p.m. MT, and it will be streamed live online at ColoradoAvalanche.com (blackouts apply).
Monday is reserved as a practice day for all six teams at the Vegas Rookie Faceoff before the showcase concludes with three matinees on Tuesday.

Avalanche Lineup vs. Golden Knights

Igor Shvyrev - Vladislav Kamenev - Martin Kaut
Ty Lewis - J.C. Beaudin - Logan O'Connor
Travis Barron - Brandon Saigeon - Nick Henry
Matthew Boucher - Josh Dickinson - Robbie Holmes
Sergei Boikov - Nicolas Meloche
Josh Anderson - Kevin Davis
Turner Ottenbreit - Matthew Pufahl
Petr Kvaca
Justus Annunen