SALT LAKE CITY — They battled against each other for an Olympics gold medal Sunday.

Less than 96 hours later and several time zones away, three of the four gold-medal game participants battled together, with only Nathan MacKinnon missing the 4-2 Avalanche win over the Mammoth due to what the team called “maintenance.”

Was it at all awkward for Brock Nelson?

“It’s crazy,” Nelson said prior to Wednesday’s game in Utah. “Maybe a little bit different with the Canadian guys, just what was at stake and how prideful they are. I think every one of our guys can say they represented their countries extremely well. … We all knew what we were getting into, what we signed up for and what was at stake. Nice to be back together now on this side.”

The band is back together again, but only one of them came back victorious. That would be Nelson, who became the fourth member of his family to win gold on Olympic ice, joining his uncle, great uncle and grandfather.

Winning runs in the family, but it doesn’t make it any less sweeter.

“Unbelievable,” Nelson said of the entire experience. “Hard to describe everything — the excitement, the emotions. Just a crazy time. There’s so many good stories about the village, the games, obviously the result, and sharing it with family. An incredible time and something I’ll remember forever, memories with a great group of guys. To be a part of history is fun.”

One thing Nelson mentioned after winning was that he could not wait to call his grandfather, Bill Christian, who won gold with Team USA at the 1960 Olympics. He was able to have that moment the next day.

“I ‘FaceTimed.’ He was emotional,” Nelson said. “It was a quick one. I was just at our winter house with some of my family after, the night right after. Super fun to see him, see his emotion and share that. I’m sure it’ll be more to come when I see him for the first time, just to relive it and have him see the medal.”

About that medal.

Nelson isn’t sure what he’ll do with it. He’ll eventually find somewhere safe to put it in his house. For now, his kids are having a good time with it.

“They’ve been enjoying showing friends and they showed their friends at school,” he said. “It’s been super fun to see their excitement at a fun age where they kind of understand everything. You got to keep an eye on the kids. They’ve been kind of reliving it, recreated it via ministicks, which is kind of funny to see and share that.”

Nelson was one of five Team USA members who did not visit the White House after the gold medal victory. There’s been controversy, mostly online, after the win. The 34-year-old Nelson commented on the reaction to the celebration.

“Crazy, lots of noise and a whole lot of different things being said and whatnot,” Nelson said. “But I think the main thing is that I think both men’s and women’s teams should be extremely prideful and proud of what they accomplished winning gold. That’s a huge honor. I think for the guys, being invited to the White House — and I heard the women’s team was invited as well — it’s everyone’s right to kind of choose if they wanted to go or not.

“For me, it just didn’t work out scheduling-wise with my family coming back, the schedule of our (Avalanche) games, five in seven days. There’s a lot to be made about it but, I mean, no one actually knows the real truths and everything and everyone’s entitled to their own decisions. I would love to check out the White House. I think it’s an incredible honor. Everyone who’s American, I think if you have that opportunity, it’s an incredible one. (I’m) kind of bummed that I missed it. But for me, just didn’t work out. I wanted to help my family get home and that was it.”

Avalanche 4, Mammoth 2

What happened: A wild second period where all six goals were scored favored the Avalanche.

What went right: Parker Kelly continues his career season, and his goal that started the scoring was a thing of beauty, as he danced through four Mammoth players to beat Karel Vejmelka. That line contributed another goal just a few minutes later.

What went wrong: Colorado was forced to play without Nathan MacKinnon, who missed the game due to “maintenance.” The team expects him to be in the lineup on Thursday against the Wild.

Avalanche goal scorers: Kelly (13), Nelson (30), Olofsson (11), Necas (23)

Mammoth goal scorers: Guenther (26, 27)

Between the pipes: Scott Wedgewood got the start, stopping 28 of 30 shots. Expect Mackenzie Blackwood to get the net on Thursday.

What’s next: The Avalanche are right back at it on Thursday, hosting the Minnesota Wild at Ball Arena at 7 p.m.