Cale Makar sets Avalanche single-season record for goals by a defenseman
Cale Makar now holds the Colorado Avalanche franchise single-season record for goals by a defenseman, thanks to his second goal in last night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
FRANCHISE RECORD ALERT❗❗
Cale Makar established an @Avalanche / Nordiques record for most goals in a single season by a defenseman, surpassing the previous mark held by Sandis Ozolinsh (23 in 1996-97). #NHLStats: https://t.co/nOcwgzSLgN https://t.co/detXCeFt6X
Makar scored his 24th of the season last night, establishing the new high watermark for the franchise in its 43-season history as the Avalanche and the Quebec Nordiques. Makar passed Sandis Ozolinsh for the achievement. He had 23 goals and 68 points in 80 games in 1996-97 and spent parts of five seasons with the Avalanche.
Makar initially scored midway through the opening period, which was the first of four straight goals from the Avalanche to make it 5-1. He then got his second goal in the middle of the third to stave off a late Flyers’ comeback and give the Avalanche the 6-3 lead that would hold for the final score.
Makar is in the midst of an incredible season and is a major threat for the Norris trophy, as well as in the conversation for the Hart trophy. In just 61 games, he has 24 goals and 73 points and is on pace for 30 goals this season. If he reaches that mark, he’ll become just the ninth defenseman in NHL history to do so and the first since Mike Green scored 31 goals in 2008-09.