From one moment to the next, the outlook on the Avalanche’s season can deteriorate from apprehension to hopelessness, or just as easily it can swivel from existential dread to ecstatic amnesia. The defending champion Avs are testing their fans on almost a nightly basis, as they simultaneously test their own resolve.
So it was fitting that in a matter of minutes Tuesday night, a Ball Arena sellout redirected its jeers. At second intermission, scattered boos from frustrated Avalanche faithful showered the players on their way to the dressing room. By the time nine minutes remained in the third period, those boos had reached a cacophony and changed targets: the officiating crew for an overturned would-be game-tying goal. Obvious offsides, but who cared?
J.T. Compher tied it for real one minute later, but a Panthers power play goal with 3:30 remaining ended the party: The Avs lost 5-4 for their sixth defeat in the last seven games, falling to ninth place in the Western Conference in point percentage. Whether the season outlook is alleviated by the fact that Colorado (20-16-3) rallied from 3-0 and 4-1 deficits is in the eye of the beholder.
