SAN JOSE, Calif. — Goaltenders Mackenzie Blackwood and Alexandar Georgiev quickly found themselves facing off in a game that featured their former teammates.
The two players were exchanged in a trade last week, with Blackwood starting for the Colorado Avalanche and Georgiev for the San Jose Sharks during a match on Thursday night.
The trade also included Givani Smith and a fifth-round draft pick heading to San Jose, while Nikolai Kovalenko and two draft picks were sent to Colorado.
Both Smith and Kovalenko competed in the game, which ended in a 4-2 win for the Avalanche.
In this goaltending duel, Blackwood came out on top, recording 32 saves, while Georgiev managed to stop 27 shots.
Blackwood expressed that he quickly adapted to the game and appreciated the experience.
“Of course, you have a lot of friends over there, but at the end of the day, it’s still a hockey game,” he stated. “You’ve got to go out there and do your job.”
Blackwood’s time with the Sharks has helped revitalize his career.
Acquired from the New Jersey Devils for a sixth-round draft pick in June 2023, he had struggled previously, posting a 3.45 goals-against average (GAA) and a .899 save percentage over 44 games with San Jose in a challenging season last year.
This season, he has improved, sporting a 3.00 GAA and a .909 save percentage in 19 games.
When introduced, he received applause from the Sharks’ fans.
He thanked Sharks general manager Mike Grier, who was an assistant coach with the Devils during Blackwood’s tenure, for providing him with the opportunity to prove himself after struggling with injuries in New Jersey.
“When I got healthy, he believed in me, brought me in, and gave me a chance to play,” said Blackwood. “I got myself turned around, got my game up and back on track. He was a big part of giving me the opportunity to do so.”
Despite spending only a little over one season with the Sharks, Blackwood shared that he feels a strong bond with his former teammates, referring to them as “still like brothers.”
Although he would have liked to sign an extension with the Sharks, Blackwood noted that the rebuilding team seems to be moving in a different direction than he is in his career.
Transitioning from last season’s worst team to a Colorado squad with aspirations for the Stanley Cup, Blackwood now finds himself amid a team that has faced a rocky start this season, partly due to goaltending struggles.
Heading into this matchup, the Avalanche were tied for the second wild card in the Western Conference and have cycled through four goaltenders in the first 30 games.
Georgiev previously had a standout year with Colorado and boasted an impressive record, but he also faced challenges at the start of the current season.
Colorado has not only traded Georgiev but also dealt backup goalie Justus Annunen to Nashville in exchange for Scott Wedgewood.
For Georgiev, playing against former teammates was an unusual experience as he was familiar with their playing styles.
“It wasn’t too emotional,” he admitted. “I just tried to play it as any normal game, not overcommit and just enjoy it. Playing against those guys is fun. They’re a very fast team.”
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar pointed out earlier that Blackwood has been “fantastic,” noting both he and Wedgewood have brought a new dynamic to the team.
“They’re a little more on the outgoing side of things than our two previous goaltenders,” he added.
Since Wedgewood’s arrival, the Avalanche have recorded six wins out of nine games, with Blackwood joining the team shortly thereafter.
Forward Ross Colton remarked that Blackwood has instilled “some confidence” within the team.
“Both of them have been awesome,” Colton said. “They’re great in the locker room as well. Just in the room, it feels different, which is a good thing.”