(Denver) The Colorado Avalanche players gathered in the locker room and waited — water bottles in hand — for their star teammate to enter.
When Mikko Rantanen walked through the door, he was hosed down in a celebration the Avalanche shared on social media. It was quite a way to savor a plateau that has not often been reached in the history of the team.
With his hat trick against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night, Rantanen became the fifth player in Avalanche and Quebec Nordiques history to score 50 goals in a season.
Rantanen became the first Avalanche player since Milan Hejduk in 2002-03, and the third Finn in NHL history to accomplish the feat.
Asking Rantanen what had been the secret to his success this season, when his 52 goals were up 16 from his personal high, he kept his explanation simple enough.
“No more shots,” he said, laughing.
That’s a good reason because it actually is. His 293 shots are a career high and rank him 10th in the NHL.
“The more the puck goes in the net, the more you want to shoot,” said Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar. I think you see a bit of growth on that front with Mikko. »
Rantanen joined a select group by reaching the 50-goal mark. The other players to accomplish the feat are Michel Goulet (four times with the Nordiques), Joe Sakic (twice with the Avalanche), Jacques Richard (in 1980-1981 with the Nordiques) and Hejduk. Both Goulet and Sakic are members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Moreover, only two other Finns have scored at least 50 goals in a single season, Jari Kurri (four times) and Teemu Selanne (three times). Selanne has also congratulated Rantanen on social networks.
“Obviously you look at the names and they were very good players. I’m happy to be here, Rantanen said. But I try not to think about it too much. I don’t think about my personal stats because that’s not a winning recipe. »
He had to work harder after all the injuries to the Avalanche. Forwards Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin have missed games this season, not to mention captain Gabriel Landeskog (knee), who hasn’t played in the campaign.
“Sometimes I get fierce,” Rantanen explained. Maybe it’s just that desire to win. »
In the past, Rantanen had a bit more of a setter mentality and it’s easy to see why. He was often paired with Nathan MacKinnon, who is fresh off the first 100-point season of his career.
“If you can find him free, then you’ll try to pass the puck to him,” Bednar observed with a smile.
Used within different combinations of players this season, Rantanen has looked a bit more to shoot. He also logged more ice time (22 minutes per game), took more face-offs and hit more hits.
And of course, he scores more often.
After Thursday’s game, MacKinnon presented him with a puck for his 50th goal. Rantanen made sure to give credit to his teammates.
“Good job, guys,” Rantanen hinted in the video. Thank you for all the great plays and great assists this season. »