TAMPERE, Finland — Arthur Lehkonen scored the opening goal in his home country for the Colorado Avalanche, who defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 at Nokia Arena on Saturday.
The Avalanche scored three goals in a span of 3:28 in the second period to break a 1-1 tie and start a celebration that lasted for much of the second half of the game.
The Avalanche swept the two games here following a 6-3 win on Friday that was sparked by a hat trick from the Finland-born forward. Mikko Rantanen.
“When you get four points, the whole trip, in some ways, you can call it a success,” Lehkonen said. “These two games here, we got four points. It was a long road trip for us. It’s nice to go back home.”
Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar each had three assists for the Avalanche (6-4-2). Alexander Georgievwho played both games of the back-to-back, made 31 saves.
Video: COL@CBJ: MacKinnon, Toews link up to open up 4-1 lead
MacKinnon had an assist on seven of the 11 goals Colorado scored in the two games, tying the record for most points by any NHL player in games outside of North America with defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (four games) and Chicago Blackhawks forward. Patrick Kane (three games).
“Everybody knows how good a player is [Nate] is,” Rantanen said. “He can make plays, he can score goals, he can defend hard, good skater. He plays well in the playoffs too. So I don’t know what else to want from a hockey player, so it’s fun to play with him.”
Boone Jenner scored for the Blue Jackets (3-9-0), who have lost five straight games (outscored 28-8).
Joonas Korpisalo, who was born in Pori, Finland, made 40 saves in his season debut. He hadn’t played since March 22 because of a hip injury.
“It was fun to play, but 5-1, that was a tough result,” Korpisalo said. “We needed these points.”
For Blue Jackets forward Patrick Laine, who was born in Tampere and is perhaps the most famous player from this city, this series was a celebration of his legacy here, as he was the headliner among the four Finnish players on the two rosters.
However, he was in no mood to celebrate Saturday after spending the early part of the week enjoying the comforts of home and sharing the city he loves with his teammates.
“It [stinks],” said Laine, who had a goal and an assist on Friday. “Kind of wishing that this trip never happened. After this, I feel like it was a waste of time for us. It [stinks]that is all I have to say.”
Lehkonen, who was born in Piikkio, a little more than 100 miles south of Tampere, gave the Avalanche a 1-0 lead 33 seconds into the game.
Jenner tied it at 1-1 at 12:27 of the first with a power-play goal.
Video: COL@CBJ: Makar’s shot deflects off O’Connor in 2nd
Martin Kaut scored his first of the season on a backhand from a bad angle to make it 2-1 at 1:22 of the second period.
Logan O’Connor pushed it to 3-1 with a deflection at 4:13, and Devon Toews scored 27 seconds later to make it 4-1.
Makar had an assist on all three goals in the second period, when the Avalanche outshot the Blue Jackets 17-4.
“We just completely lost ourselves in the second period,” Columbus coach Brad Larsen said. “We are trying to cheat the game right now to get offense against their best players. It is a recipe for disaster.”
Alex Newhook scored at 1:36 of the third for the 5-1 final.
“That is one of the most complete games we have played this season,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said.
NOTES: Lehkonen’s goal was the second-fastest scored in an NHL game outside North America. Tomas Holmstrom of the Detroit Red Wings scored 31 seconds into a 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues in Sweden in 2009. … Columbus forward Jakub Voracek missed the game with an upper-body injury. He was replaced by Mathieu Olivier, who had no shots on goal and a fighting major in 10:41 of ice time. … Colorado forward Valery Nichushkin missed his fourth straight game with a wrist injury. Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram did not play after sustaining a lower-body injury Friday. … Each team will fly home Sunday and play again on Thursday.
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