Semyon Varlamov got the win today-just like I wanted. Gabriel Landeskog scored a goal and an assist today-pretty decent start for the captain, right? Unfortunately, Varls earned his win Russia, Lando earned his points in Sweden, and not in the Pepsi Center. Varlamov won his game today against Barys. He let in two quick goals in the first four minutes, and then stopped the next 19. Lokomotiv won the game. 4-2. Landeskog spent a lot of time on the ice and was involved in both of Djugarden’s goals. The game eventually went to a shootout, where Landeskog was selected, but missed.

This evening, at 7:00 pm MT, I should be at the Pepsi Center, wearing my Matt Duchene 3rd jersey, and trash talking the St. Louis Blues. I should have worn my sometimes-lucky-sometimes-not Avs pajamas last night with my Gabriel Landeskog t-shirt. Instead, I’ll be sitting at home doing sociology homework tonight, and I slept in sweats. When I’m upset, I become inarticulate, so I’m going to leave you all with three simple words: #lockoutproblems.

Today the NHL announced that it has canceled the regular season through October 24. Overall, this really sucks, but it shouldn’t be surprising anyone. We’ll just have to watch hockey in other leagues until things are resolved.

Semyon Varlamov won his debut in the KHL two nights ago, making 38 saves on 39 shots. Atta boy, Varls.

So here we are: day 16 of the lock out. I’m fresh out of news (unless you happened to miss the fact that Erik Johnson, TJ Galiardi, and Gabriel Landeskog have been discussing coconut water on twitter), and feeling rather disheartened at this point. So, I figured I would let you all know how these past 16 days have been going for me.

1. I met Gabriel Landeskog’s doppelganger. No, really. This was not me thinking someone looked like him only to realize upon closer inspection that the person looked nothing like him. This person looked like a bonafide-25-year-old-Lando. If you happen to be reading this, and you exited the passenger side of a prius last Wednesday 15 feet away from the post office, and you asked a girl what type of dog she had, and she responded “golden retriever” and then the golden retriever tried to jump all over you, hello! My mouth was wide open because I thought you were a famous hockey player.

2. I am currently in New Jersey, visting family. I’m having a great time (even though no one seems to be aware that the NHL is locked out and that I am in immense pain due to this).

3. I am also currently suffering immense writer’s block and avoiding one of my assignments, which is really ridiculous considering all I have to write is one page. Yet it feels like pulling teeth. Oy.

That’s about it. Feel free to vent on your own meaningless lives in the comment section.

Today, Semyon Varlamov became the first member of the Colorado Avalanche to sign overseas with another team. Varlamov will be playing for the rebuilt Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team. There was a rumor last week about him signing (as discussed here), but nothing was confirmed until today. You may remember that Varlamov began playing for Lokomotiv when he was 11 years old, and that he nearly went back to play for them when he and the Washington Capitals were in a contract dispute. I think most of us assumed that if he chose to play elsewhere, he would go back to Lokomotiv, a place that he calls his “second home”. I know there are some out there who are worried that Varls might injure himself, and endanger the Avs season, should it ever start after this indeterminable lockout. I am personally not one of them. Yes, there are risks that come with playing hockey, but there are risks in life as well. Varlamov could wake up tomorrow, eat some of his mother’s pancakes, and strain his back, hello remember Dustin Penner? While he does increase his risk of injury, he was never completely free of it either. Honestly, I think it is in his best interests, for a young player like Varlamov in the goaltending position to play professionally. He needs to stay sharp, and losing a year at this crucial stage of development could hinder his performance for the rest of his career. Varlamov’s main problem now is his consistency; and I think we should applaud him for doing his best to play in as many games as possible, so that he can strengthen his mental edge. Let’s remember too that Varlamov won the World Championships in May-he could very well be on the edge of establishing himself as an elite goaltender, but to do that he needs to be performing in high-intnsity situations.

Also, the NHL announced today that they have cancelled the rest of the preseason. This means the Avalanche lose three more games, including the novelty one to be held in Kansas City against the Rangers.

 

The NHL has announced the cancellation of all preseason games up to September 30. This means that the previously scheduled game at home against the Los Angeles Kings, the game in the Honda Center against the Anaheim Ducks, and Frozen Fury XV. The Avalanche have also decided personally to cancel the Burgundy and White game.

The really big disappointments to come out of this are the cancellations of Frozen Fury XV, an annual game played in Las Vegas, and the Burgundy and White Game, an annual intramural squad scrimmage open to the fans. Each of these novelty events is always eagerly anticipated by fans and players alike.

By cancelling these games, the NHL has handed us our first loss of the 2012-2013 season. Hopefully we won’t face too many more.

1, 2, 3. Western Canadian Road Trip- December 6, December 8, December 9

The Avalanche had just finished a record NINE game homestand, with a record of 5-4. They won the last four games, and were looking to continue their winning ways. Game one, in Vancouver, was the game in which they played their best hockey on the roadtrip. They lost 6-0. In Calgary they lost 3-2, and in Edmonton they lost 4-1. Six possible points were up for grabs, and the Avs failed to earn a single one of them. Upon the return home, they were subjected to a lengthy bag skate.

4. December 16- San Jose

The Avalanche went into the Shark Tank and dominated during the first two periods. The Sharks were being booed out of their own building at the end of the second period, and the Avs had a solid, if not safe, 4-2 lead. They gave up three goals in the third period, losing in regulation, 5-4. This was just unacceptable.

5. January 7- St. Louis

This was the second game of a back to back sequence. Back to backs are always tough, but this game should not have gone down in this way. The night before, the Avs had dominated the Chicago Blackhawks. They were able to roll all four lines, and players were as rested as possible in such a scenario. They came out, and were severely outworked, losing the game 4-0.

6. January 12- Nashville

The Avs got off to a quick, two goal lead in Nashville, but then failed to sustain any pressure against the Predators for the rest of the game. They lost in OT (the single point a result entirely of Giguere’s fabulous play) 3-2.

7. January 24-Minnesota

In the final game before the All-Star Break, the Avalanche had an opportunity to move themselves into the top 8 in the Western conference. Instead, a lackluster performance all around lead to a 3-2 loss. I was at this game, and the crowd was loud. People were starting to get excited again, thinking that this Avalanche team might redeem the 2010-2011 epic skid. And yet, the Avs were unable to push themselves.

8. February 19-Winnipeg

The Winnipeg Jets were excellent at home this season. Fans were ecstatic to have a team back, and that made them LOUD. The Avs were playing an okay game, and came out of the first period tied at 0. In the next two periods, sloppy and distracted play lead to five Jets goals. Avs lose, 5-1.

9. March 1- Columbus

Columbus had the worst season of all 30 NHL teams this year. By February, they were playing loosely, knowing that they were not going to make the playoffs (even if they had yet to be eliminated mathematically). However, Varlamov was playing very well during this game. Foolish mistakes led to the Jackets scoring twice, and the Avs  failed to put enough shots on Steve Mason.

10. March 26- San Jose

Both games in San Jose ended in disaster this season. This game was crucial for the Avs. It was late in the season, and they had five games to prove themselves a contender. Instead, they came into San Jose and quickly lost faith in themselves, allowing the Sharks to stomp all over them, 5-1.

 

Any games that you think I overlooked? Which losses stung the most to you?