Tippett Hat Trick Powers Flyers Past Avalanche In Denver

When the Philadelphia Flyers rolled into Denver to face the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche on January 23, 2026, few could have predicted the fireworks that would unfold at Ball Arena. The Flyers, fresh off a gut-wrenching overtime loss to Utah that extended their recent skid to seven losses in eight games, were up against a Colorado squad boasting a near-invincible 20-1-4 home record and the league’s stingiest defense. Yet, in a stunning reversal of expectations, the Flyers exploded for a season-high seven goals, toppling the Avalanche 7-3 in front of a shell-shocked Denver crowd.

The Avalanche entered the matchup with a formidable 34-5-9 record and a reputation for relentless speed and structure. Their home ice had been a fortress, conceding a league-low 2.08 goals per game. The Flyers, meanwhile, had struggled to close out games and were searching for consistency as their three-game road trip drew to a close. As one analyst put it, “Colorado is not just another test on this road swing—it is the kind of opponent that exposes hesitation, punishes loose ends, and forces teams to be honest about who they are.”

Despite the odds, the Flyers seized control early. Goaltender Sam Ersson, making his third straight start, faced a barrage of shots in the opening period. Colorado outshot Philadelphia 14-1 at one point, but Ersson stood tall, stopping a career-high 17 shots in the first frame alone. On just their second shot of the night, Owen Tippett broke the deadlock with a snipe past Mackenzie Blackwood, assisted by Denver Barkey and Cam York. The Flyers then capitalized on a power play, with Barkey himself finding the net—his second goal of the season—thanks to slick passing from Matvei Michkov and Tippett. Heading into the first intermission, the Flyers held a 2-0 lead, a testament to opportunistic offense and Ersson’s heroics in net.

But the Avalanche are never out of a contest, especially at home. Early in the second, Parker Kelly put Colorado on the board, narrowing the gap to 2-1. Minutes later, Nathan MacKinnon—a player who had cooled off recently but still commanded respect after notching points in 34 of his first 40 games—set up Victor Olofsson for the tying goal. The Flyers responded immediately, with Bobby Brink scoring his 13th of the season to restore the lead. Yet, Colorado’s Cale Makar, another of their marquee talents, evened things up again, making it 3-3 after 40 minutes. Four goals in less than five minutes turned the second period into a rollercoaster, with both teams trading blows and refusing to yield an inch.

As the third period began, the tension inside Ball Arena was palpable. Would Colorado’s vaunted home form and offensive depth prevail, or could the Flyers defy expectations? The answer came swiftly. Tippett, already with one goal to his name, struck again on the rush, this time assisted by Sean Couturier. The Flyers now led 4-3, and the momentum was firmly on their side. Less than two minutes later, Garnet Hathaway set up Emil Andrae, whose shot was deftly redirected by Michkov to extend the lead to 5-3. The Avalanche, known for their ability to turn games with a single shift, suddenly found themselves on their heels.

Philadelphia’s surge continued. With the Flyers short-handed after a Barkey penalty, Tippett forced a turnover and raced in alone to complete his hat trick. His third goal of the night—and 18th of the season—sent the Flyers’ bench into a frenzy and stunned the home fans. “Owen Tippett earned the hat trick and a four-point night, leading the Philadelphia Flyers to a 7-3 win vs. the Colorado Avalanche,” reported Philly Hockey Now, capturing the significance of his performance.

Colorado pulled their goalie with over five minutes remaining, desperate to claw back into the contest. The Flyers had a couple of near-misses at the empty net before Michkov finally buried his second of the night, assisted by Travis Konecny, to seal the 7-3 victory. The final horn sounded on what was only Colorado’s second regulation home loss of the season, and just their sixth overall. For the Flyers, it was a cathartic end to a challenging road trip and a resounding answer to critics who questioned their ability to compete with the NHL’s elite.

Sam Ersson finished with 32 saves on 35 shots, providing the kind of backbone performance that had eluded him in recent outings. “Ersson was phenomenal in goal for the Flyers, stopping 32 of 35 shots,” noted Philly Hockey Now. His steadiness allowed Philadelphia to weather Colorado’s early storm and build the confidence needed to capitalize on their chances.

The Flyers’ offensive outburst was all the more impressive given Colorado’s defensive pedigree and the fact that Philadelphia had ranked in the bottom 12 in goals per game, operating at the league’s slowest 5-on-5 pace. Yet, on this night, they matched and surpassed the Avalanche’s tempo, executing quick transitions and punishing every lapse in Colorado’s coverage. Tippett’s hat trick was the headline, but contributions from Barkey, Brink, and Michkov—who each found the scoresheet—underscored a total team effort.

For the Avalanche, goals from Kelly, Olofsson, and Makar were not enough to overcome defensive breakdowns and the Flyers’ opportunistic attack. Mackenzie Blackwood, returning from injury, struggled to contain Philadelphia’s surging forwards, and Colorado’s usual structure seemed to unravel under pressure. The loss snapped a run of dominance at Ball Arena and served as a reminder that even the league’s best are vulnerable on any given night.

Looking ahead, the Flyers return home to host the New York Islanders on January 26 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, hoping to build on the momentum from this statement win. For Colorado, the defeat offers a chance to regroup and address the uncharacteristic lapses that led to their undoing. “This matchup is less about whether Philadelphia can match Colorado’s talent, and more about whether they can withstand Colorado’s pressure without unraveling,” one preview had observed. On this night, the Flyers did more than withstand—they thrived.

In a season defined by unpredictability, the Flyers’ triumph in Denver stands out as a reminder that belief, resilience, and timely execution can topple even the NHL’s giants. As the league calendar turns toward the playoff stretch, both teams will look to learn from this memorable clash—one that delivered drama, surprises, and a jolt of energy to fans on both sides.