Avs to start G Hammond in must-win Game 5
The Colorado Avalanche will start Andrew Hammond in net facing elimination in Game 5 against the Nashville Predators on Friday.
Jonathan Bernier had started the Avs' previous four games of the first-round series, allowing 14 goals on 120 shots faced. He left Game 4 after two periods with a lower-body injury; Hammond stopped eight shots in a scoreless third period in his stead.
Colorado lost the game 3-2, giving Nashville a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Avalanche have yet to announce whether Bernier will be available as a backup on Friday. Regular No. 1 goaltender Semyon Varlamov is out for at least the first round of the playoffs as he recovers from a knee injury suffered March 30.
Hammond, 30, appeared in one NHL game during the regular season, a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on March 28. He stopped 31 of 33 shots faced in the contest.
The 30-year-old has a 27-15-6 record, 2.31 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in his five-year career.
"He's been working hard, doing the right things on and off the ice," Avs coach Jared Bednar told reporters Thursday. "He'll be excited for the opportunity."
--Field Level Media
