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2020 outdoor game at AFA; Grubauer starts vs Sharks, Varlamov 'banged up'

January 1, 2019, 6:48 PM ET [0 Comments]
Rick Sadowski
Colorado Avalanche Blogger •Avalanche Insider • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The NHL announced on Tuesday that the Avalanche will host an outdoor game at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Feb. 15, 2020.

The game, against an opponent to be named -- Minnesota would be my choice -- will played at Falcon Stadium as part of the NHL Stadium Series.

It will be the Avalanche’s second outdoor game. They lost 5-3 to Detroit at Coors Field on Feb. 27, 2016.

It also will be the second outdoor game held at a U.S. service academy. Washington defeated Toronto 5-2 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., on March 3, 2018.

“We are proud and honored to be hosting the 2020 NHL Stadium Series at such a unique setting as the Air Force Academy,” Avalanche president Josh Kroenke said in a release. “We look forward to taking part in our second outdoor game after a very successful event at Coors Field in 2016.

“Our fans have been instrumental to our success since the franchise arrived in Denver, and we are thrilled that they will get this opportunity to experience an outdoor game at one of our nation’s great institutions.”

The regular-season game at Coors Field drew a sellout crowd of 50,095. The Avalanche defeated the Red Wings in an alumni game the night before in front of 43,319. A week earlier, the University of Denver defeated Colorado College 4-1 at Coors Field before 35,144.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to host an outdoor game at the historic Air Force Academy,” Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said in a release. “We are grateful for the chance to honor our military and our local U.S. service academy with a special event.

“Having this game in Colorado Springs also highlights the growth of hockey throughout the Rocky Mountain region since the Avalanche arrived in 1995. We appreciate being selected by the NHL for this occasion and can’t wait to share the experience with our fans.”

Ticket information will be announced at a later date.

*****

The Avalanche recalled goalie Pavel Francouz from the Colorado Eagles of the AHL before an optional practice Tuesday in what coach Jared Bednar said was a precautionary move because Semyon Varlamov has what he hinted is a minor injury. He was given a "maintenance" day.

Philipp Grubauer will start Wednesday against San Jose at the Pepsi Center.

"We have a couple guys that are kind of banged up, (Varlamov) is one of them, so (the move) is just a precautionary measure. (Varlamov) should be good to go for tomorrow, though (as the backup).” Bednar said.

Francouz, 28, was signed as a free agent May 2. The Czech Republic native made his NHL debut Dec. 22 at Arizona and stopped 19 of 20 shots in relief of Grubauer and was tagged with the loss in a 6-4 defeat.

Francouz has posted a 13-7-1 record with the Eagles in 23 games with a 2.65 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. He spent the previous three seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League.

Ten healthy players took part in the optional skate. Defensemen Mark Barberio (upper-body injury) and Conor Timmins (head), and forward Colin Wilson (upper body) took part while wearing red, non-contact jerseys.



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