Avalanche Face Road Test After Flyers Deliver Stunning Defeat

The Colorado Avalanche wrapped up their longest homestand of the season on Friday night, but the celebration at Ball Arena was cut short by a tough 7-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The defeat capped a seven-game stretch at home that saw the Avalanche post a 3-1-2 record, highlighting both their dominance on home ice and the challenges brought on by injuries and a rapidly changing roster dynamic. As the team prepares to embark on a grueling eight-day, four-game road trip, there’s no shortage of storylines both on and off the ice.

Friday’s game started with energy in the stands, but the Flyers quickly quieted the crowd. Owen Tippett opened the scoring at 15:02 of the first period with a wrist shot from the right circle, and Denver Barkey added a power play goal at 18:57, putting Colorado in a 2-0 hole before the first intermission. The Avalanche, true to their reputation for resilience, clawed back when Parker Kelly notched his 10th goal of the season at 7:17 of the second period—a backhand rebound off Jack Ahcan’s shot from the slot. Victor Olofsson and Cale Makar also found the back of the net for Colorado, but the Flyers’ offense proved relentless.

Owen Tippett was the star of the night for Philadelphia, completing a hat trick with goals in the first and third periods, including a shorthanded breakaway that made it 6-3 midway through the final frame. Matvei Michkov added two goals of his own—one a deft deflection at 2:00 of the third and another an empty-netter to seal the Flyers’ victory at 16:52. Despite the loss, Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas each contributed two assists, showing flashes of the offensive creativity that has made Colorado a top team both at home and on the road.

“We take it game by game. We maybe haven’t had the success in winning every game like we’ve been doing most of this year, but like last game, I think we played a really good game, solid game,” Victor Olofsson said after the homestand, reflecting on the team’s approach and the importance of not dwelling on setbacks. The Avalanche have been the league’s best at home this season, but as head coach Jared Bednar pointed out, the upcoming road trip will test their depth and endurance. “It’s going to be freezing cold and three feet of snow on the East Coast … This can be a difficult road trip because we finish at three in four. Lot of travel, unpredictable weather, against teams that are going to be important games for these teams going into the break. We’re going to have to be sharp. Hopefully, we can get a little bit more healthy here as the road trip goes on,” Bednar remarked.

Injuries have been a persistent challenge for Colorado. Joel Kiviranta made his return to the lineup against the Flyers after missing 10 games, providing a much-needed boost to the forward corps. But the team was still without key contributors Devon Toews and Gabriel Landeskog, both sidelined with injuries. The situation became even more precarious when Ross Colton was listed as day-to-day following an injury sustained during the 2-1 shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks earlier in the week.

Off the ice, the Avalanche locker room has been buzzing with excitement of a different kind—a baby boom is underway. Scott Wedgewood’s wife, Brittany, gave birth to their second child on Thursday, just ahead of the Flyers game. Wedgewood, who was expected to back up Mackenzie Blackwood on Friday, wasn’t the only Avalanche player celebrating a growing family. Victor Olofsson’s wife, Taylor, is expecting their second child around February 25, coinciding with Colorado’s first post-Olympic break game at Utah. Meanwhile, Devon Toews’ wife, Kerry, is due with their fourth child in early February. Toews, who has been selected to represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, has made it clear that he’ll join his national team only after his wife and newborn are settled. “They don’t expect it to be an issue, other than possibly he shows up a day or two late for pre-tournament practices,” reported the Denver Post.

For players with families, the extended homestand offered a rare opportunity to settle in and enjoy precious moments at home. Olofsson, whose wife is expecting, appreciated the 17 days spent in Colorado. “It’s great. I haven’t had that in a while. Carolina, we always—game out, game home, so it was nice,” Olofsson shared. “Nice to have my family here, show them around. It doesn’t really happen too often that you’re this long at home, which was nice for us.” Scott Wedgewood echoed similar sentiments, having been present for the birth of his child, a moment he described as “such an unbelievable miracle” and a testament to the team’s support for family life.

Martin Necas, who celebrated his birthday last week with family visiting from out of town, also benefited from the extended stay in Denver. “Nice to have my family here, show them around. It doesn’t really happen too often that you’re this long at home, which was nice for us,” Necas said. The sense of camaraderie and support among players and their families has been a subtle but significant force behind the team’s strong performance this season, even as they navigate the ups and downs of a demanding NHL schedule.

As the Avalanche prepare to hit the road, the focus shifts to maintaining momentum and regaining health. The upcoming trip includes stops in Toronto, where Colorado will face the Maple Leafs at 11:30 a.m. MT on Sunday, as well as other key matchups against playoff-contending teams. The road trip is expected to be grueling, with harsh weather and a compressed schedule adding to the challenge. Coach Bednar is hopeful that the time away will allow some of the injured players to recover and rejoin the lineup as the team pushes toward the Olympic break.

Colorado will return to Ball Arena at the beginning of February for two games before the Olympic pause, giving fans another chance to cheer on a squad that has shown both resilience and heart, on and off the ice. While the loss to the Flyers was a setback, the Avalanche remain one of the league’s top teams, buoyed by a close-knit locker room and the unwavering support of their families. With a baby boom underway and the Olympic break on the horizon, the next few weeks promise to be eventful for Colorado—both in the rink and at home.

For now, the Avalanche turn their attention to the road ahead, determined to weather the storm and return to Denver ready for another playoff push. The journey continues, and so does the story of a team united by more than just hockey.