Welcome to the NHL, Calvin Pickard.
Pickard, the third goalie on Colorado’s depth chart, was called into emergency action on Thursday, replacing Reto Berra -- who was replacing the injured Semyon Varlamov -- early in the first period of the Avalanche’s game in Ottawa.
Pickard was called up from AHL Lake Erie earlier Thursday to serve as a backup to Berra, in the wake of Varlamov going on IR. The 22-year-old farmhand was supposed to serve as the No. 2 for the time being, but was thrust into the crease after Kyle Turris bowled over Berra, forcing him from the game.
Colorado’s second-round pick (49th overall) at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Pickard did have the benefit of inheriting a 1-0 lead, as Alex Tanguay opened the scoring for the Avs early in the frame.
Related: Avs place Varlamov (groin) on IR