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Craig Anderson is usually the starting goaltender for the Colorado Avalanche, but he was scheduled to have his second night off of the season on Tuesday in Vancouver, yet he still found a way to get injured at the very end of pregame warmups. Anderson injured his right knee in the final pregame drill, then was able to skate over to the bench to limp off. He’ll fly back to Colorado on Wednesday for tests, while his teammates go on to Calgary to battle the first-place Flames on Thursday.
Here’s video of the somewhat bizarre injury:
Backup goalie Peter Budaj made his second start of the year for the Avalanche and played well enough to get the team into overtime. But less than a minute into the extra session, Budaj was beaten on a flukish goal by Canucks left wing Mason Raymond. The Avs had just won a faceoff in their own zone, but Raymond was able to poke the puck off the stick of Colorado defenseman Jonas Holos and through Budaj’s legs for the game-winner.
“I thought we had it and he poked it right through me,” said Budaj, who stopped 26 of 30 shots. “I probably should have had that, but it bounced over my stick.” Budaj will likely start again on Thursday against the Flames. The 28-year-old Czech won his first game of the season against the Detroit Red Wings, but also let in four goals in that contest.
Teammate John Michael-Liles expressed confidence in Budaj despite the rough bounce in overtime. “He played fantastic, and those bounces are going to happen,” said Liles. “He’s been a starter for us before, so whoever is in net we have confidence.” Now in his sixth NHL season, Budaj is 87-70-24 with a .903 saves percentage and 2.75 goals against average in 199 career games. Budaj started the majority of Colorado’s games in 2006-2007 and 2008-2009.
Still Anderson’s skates will be hard to fill. Last season, the 29-year–old from Illinois played in 71 regular season games for the Avalanche, ranking him seventh among NHL netminders. After going 38-25-7 last season and helping lead Colorado back to the playoffs, Anderson began this year 3-4-0 with a .907 SV% and 3.15 GAA in seven games.
Budaj is looking forward to the opportunity if Anderson misses extended time. “I’d like to be in, and it looks like I’m going to be, so just be ready and see what happens and help the team get some wins,” said Budaj, barely able to contain his elation.
The win keeps Vancouver (4-3-2) a point ahead of the Avalanche (4-4-1) for second place in the Northwest Division. Calgary leads the division with a 6-3-0 record.
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