Mikko Rantanen returns to Finland with a hat trick, Avs defeat Columbus

Mikko Rantanen!

Avalanche fans were treated to some Friday afternoon hockey, as the team is in Finland for the NHL Global Series. It was a homecoming for the Avs winger, and he made the most of it, scoring three goals and registering a hat trick in a victory. Rantanen was born in Nousiainen, Finland and grew up there.

Colorado took down the Columbus Blue Jackets by a final score of 6-3, rallying after giving back a 3-0 lead out of the gate. Logan O’Connor, JT Compher and Cale Makar also lit the lamp for the Avalanche.

Here are the Avs goals in the order they happened.

Maali Logan O’Connor!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/aePcPQdgM1

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 4, 2022

#NHLGlobalSeries is going well for the @Avalanche!

📺: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz pic.twitter.com/IxQtbXO7HP

— NHL (@NHL) November 4, 2022

WHAT A FINNISH!!!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/evW2UZxPeY

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 4, 2022

Mikko Rantanen is having one heck of a good game in Finland!

📺: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz #NHLGlobalSeries pic.twitter.com/bN5ZWlVbmb

— NHL (@NHL) November 4, 2022

That first of the season feeling 🤩#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/SXaJHnYMJ6

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 4, 2022

MIKKO RANTANEN WITH THE HAT TRICK IN FINLAND 😱 pic.twitter.com/G4kMoqySdP

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 4, 2022

Colorado improves to 5-4-1 on a season in which they try to defend their Stanley Cup and repeat as champions. They’ll play Columbus again on Saturday in Finland, before heading back to Denver to take on Nashville next Thursday.

For Rantanen, he’ll be leaving home again, but at least his first game back was a very successful return.

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