Cody McLeod…what a BAMF. He single-handedly killed off about 30 seconds of a penalty. Photo: Bridget Samuels/Flickr.

The Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings played another fantastic game against each other. Unfortunately, the Wings won for the third time this season, but at least this one didn’t come until overtime.

In the first, it was Detroit (of course) who scored first. A few minutes later, some hard work by Palushaj and van der Gulik allowed Mark Olver to fly in on a breakaway, and bury a nice backhander. Sadly, the Avs only held the tie for a slightly pathetic 13 seconds. For the rest of the period, the Avs played really well, but they didn’t have a ton of quality chances. Throughout the second, the two teams played pretty tight defensive hockey, but it was still fast enough and physical enough to remain interesting.

Colorado really took control in the third, and had not only the majority of the chances, but some absolutely outstanding shots that I thought were going in. Jimmy Howard played spectacularly in that third, and was the only reason the Avs didn’t win this game in regulation. Particularly in the final 10 minutes, when the skaters for the Wings were running on fumes (not only from the altitude, but from the game the night before), Howard was crucial. Overtime continued similarly, with the Avs really dominating the play. Sadly, with 15.4 seconds left, Pavel Datsyuk poked a loose puck into the back of the net. It was kind of a sad way to end a game that featured some really great goaltending (sad as an Avs fan, but also sad if I look at the game objectively).

Well, a point is a point. The Avs aren’t making the playoffs, but I can be a proud fan after this effort. See y’all tomorrow after the Phoenix game.

Kobasew, last year, when he was still #17. Photo: Bridget Samuels/Flickr.

After the first period, it looked like the Avs were headed for the same fate they’ve earned the last four games. Down by two goals, after a pretty lifeless first period, things looked bleak. Luckily, the team was able to push through any panic or frustration they might have been experiencing.

Mark Olver ended Lehtonen’s shutout bid a few minutes into the second. Olver scored from midair, as he was falling towards the ice. Later in the second, Ryan O’Reilly and John Mitchell started a nice rush during the pk, which eventually led to Gabriel Landeskog’s shorthanded goal (his second shorty in two games). The team then had a major lapse in concentration, a few moments of wild confusion, and the Stars were leading again. The third period started out very tight. Both teams were fighting for ice. Things started to loosen up around the ten minute mark, and Ryan O’Reilly soon capitalized, scoring on a sweet shortsided shot as he was being pushed off balance. With three minutes left, Chuck Kobasew took advantage of a strange bounce (the puck hit Dallas defensemen Robidas’ ear, and then bounced behind him right in front of the net), and scored his fourth goal of the year. The Avs were able to hold on for the final three minutes, and earn the win in regulation.

This was by no means the Avs best game, but it wasn’t their worst either. I think after the first period, they played really well, despite the fact the Stars had a LOT of time with the man advantage. It’s still going to be a long shot for the team to make the playoffs, but it’d be nice if this win could help them start a nice little winning streak.

Other Thoughts:

-Jan Hejda had a fight, only the second of his career.

-The Avs killed off six penalties.

-Jamie McGinn, David Jones, and Shane O’Brien were the scratches tonight.

-The lines were super bizarre, but they didn’t stay the way they started. By the third period, Sacco just seemed to be throwing out whoever was rolling.

-The Avs actually outshot the Stars (34-32). It’s nice to see the SA stay under 35.

-Chuck Kobasew was right by the net for all four goals.

-Stefan Elliott played his first game since being recalled, with Ryan Wilson being placed on IR.

PLEASE STOP LOSING AVS I AM NOT COPING.

I’m sure you’re exhausted when you read it: the Avs have to win the game tomorrow. You’re exhausted because after the first 10 games, I think I’ve said it in every single preview (plus, I probably said it a couple of times in those first 10). The fact of the matter is though, that the team is a failing failure cascading down in a failure avalanche towards failure valley where the failure inhabitants mumble inspiring words that they fail to come through on. You could say I’m feeling a bit bitter about the past couple of losses. I just don’t understand how a team with their talent, a team with so many young players supposedly eager to win, can continue to perform at such a subpar level. I can speculate that Sacco’s message is no longer getting through, or that they are the ultimate procrastinators, thinking that “there’s plenty of time to turn this thing around”, but at the end of the day I don’t understand it.  I can’t threaten to walk away, or say that I’ll choose another team, because the I’ve been cheering for this team for 17 years. I’m in this thing for life, even though the Avs seem determined to make it a pretty miserable next 70 or 80 years. I’m sure after their next win (so long as it comes within five games), I’ll go back to a sunny attitude and start saying that there’s a chance, because I’ve seen what this team is capable of when they work hard for sixty minutes. For now, though, I’m going to a miserable old bat.

The Wild will come into the Pepsi Center with a ridiculously good record against the Avs there. Then we will all here about how the Wild like to clog up the neutral zone so we won’t see any goals. Then the Wild will proceed to have an outburst of goals (shocking everyone, even though they’ve scored three or more goals against the Avs in eight of the last nine games between the clubs) while the Avs are having their defensive failures of the night. Then the Avs will mount a comeback, which may or may not work. J.S. Giguere will be in net for the Avs, earning his fourth start this season. If I was Sacco, I’d move Palushaj in (probably for Jones, give the kid a chance on the Landeskog-O’Reilly line that’s staying together), maybe switch Bordeleau with Olver, and replace Zanon with O’Byrne. However, I’m not Sacco, and Sacco never seems to consult me for these things, so we’ll probably see the same lineup. Or O’Byrne will replace Johnson because Sacco had the nerve to blame Johnson when Zanon fell on his butt and Cullen skated around him and scored.

I’m predicting the Wild score four goals. The Avs will either score three or six. See you fellow sufferers tomorrow.

Will he ever catch a break? Photo: Bridget Samuels/Flickr.

Holy crap, I am tired of titling posts “Avs Lose…”. And yet, here we are again, with another loss. Yes, the team earned a point. And yes, they played well. At this point though, Punic victories aren’t much consolation.

» Continue reading “Avs Lose In SO”

Well that was a frustrating game. The Phoenix Coyotes won 3-2 over the Colorado Avalanche in overtime. The Avs outplayed the Coyotes for much of the game, but at the end of the day, they found themselves on the losing side.

» Continue reading “Avs Lose Heartbreaker”

Here’s Bordeleau, thanks for the picture, Todd!

The Avs sent down forward Michael Sgarbossa and defenseman Stefan Elliott. Forward David van der Gulik has been put on waivers and will be reassigned to Lake Erie if he passes through the waivers unclaimed. This means that Mark Olver, Patrick Bordeleau, and Tyson Barrie will be staying up with the club.

» Continue reading “Avs Trim Roster”

Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr.

Today is the 22nd birthday of the number three pick of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He has 150 points in 219 games in the NHL-and if he keeps up the torrid pace he scored at in Europe, he’s bound to get his total even closer to 1.0p/g. Before the obligatory video spam of Duchene, here’s what’s happening in Avalanche-land:

» Continue reading “Happy Birthday, Matt Duchene!”

We are deep in the thralls of summer now, with only the occasional trickle of news reaching us from the Avalanche camp. However, a few contracts have been signed between the Avalanche and several prospects.

First, Sean Sullivan (defensemen) was signed to a one-year, two-way deal. Sullivan split last season between the Worchester Sharks and the San Antonio Rampage, the AHL affiliate teams of the San Jose Sharks and the Florida Panthers. He earned 34 points in 61 games. Next is Bill Thomas (right wing), another player who played for the San Antonio Rampage. He did play a seven game stint with the Florida Panthers, wherein he scored one goal. Another defensemen, Thomas Pock, was signed to a one-year deal. He spent his past year playing in Europe, spending some time with Avalanche legend Peter Forsberg’s MODO. Patrick Bordeleau has re-signed, a move that makes many fans, including myself, happy. Bordeleau is more of enforcer, but he does have some skill as well. I don’t expect him to make the Avalanche, but he is a good option if the Avs find themselves in need of a third or fourth line player to call up. Finally, Michael Sgarbossa was inked to a three year, entry level contract. Sgarbossa, along with Jamie McGinn and Mike Connolly, was acquired in the trade between the Avalanche and the Sharks that sent TJ Galiardi and Daniel Winnik to San Jose. Sgarbossa led the OHL in scoring last season, and is one of the prospects whom I feel very excited about. Once again, I don’t expect him to make the team out of training camp, but in the next year or two, I think fans will get to see him play in a few games at least.

Here Sgarbossa accepts the award for leading scorer in the OHL from Steven Stamkos, a former winner and current NHL All-Star. Source: Avalanche twitter feed.

Here is a short little article by Adrian Dater of the Denver Post about another Avalanche prospect, Mitchell Heard.

And, finally, here is my projected lineup for next season.

McGinn-Stastny-Jones

Landeskog-O’Reilly-Hejduk

Downie-Duchene-Parenteau

McLeod-Mitchell-Kobasew

O’Brien-Johnson

Wilson-Elliott

O’Byrne-Hejda

Varlamov

Now of course, the forward lineup is subject mostly to the Milan Hejduk who shows up at camp. If he looks to be his old self, the scorer, he should be on a line with O’Reilly and Landeskog. Should he shows up with the seemingly lost touch he displayed through much of the second half of the season, I am not sure where to put him. I also slotted Downie into a left wing hole because out of the five players who play on the left wing, he seems the most able on his off side. Another option for that left wing hole is Mark Olver. (Also, I put Stastny-O’Reilly-Duchene as 1-2-3 in the same sense that Crosby-Malkin-Staal were 1-2-3. They should really each get about the same amount of playing time in even strength situations.) As for the defensemen, I know I put Elliott with Wilson rather than Zanon or Hunwick, each of whom is considered a safer bet to make the team out of training camp. However, I still think that the Wilson-Elliott pairing is the best match. Those two players, when they played together, worked fabulously. And of all the defensemen on the team, Shane O’Brien seemed to fit the best with Erik Johnson. If Hejda’s wrist should delay his start to the season, I can see the pairing of O’Byrne with either Zanon or Hunwick, though Zanon seems a more likely choice, as he and Hejda’s styles are much more similar.

As for the goaltending, I think it would be good to see Varlamov start about 60 games this season, leaving 22 for J.S. Giguere. Of course, if either finds himself on a winning or losing streak, the number may fluctuate slightly. However, I think this is the best recipe to keep both goaltenders fresh and healthy.

First off, John Mitchell signed with the Avalanche for two years with a cap hit of $1.1 million. He will be playing on the fourth line. Last season he played with the Rangers, and he scored five goals an 16 points. Apparently he did not play a lot on the penalty kill, which seems odd, considering he is essentially replacing Jay McClement. I think this signing shows that Greg Sherman and management to not believe that Brad Malone is quite ready to take on the full burden of being a fourth line center for an entire NHL season.

Although I did not hear an official announcement, CapGeek has Mark Olver re-signed for another two years, at $600,000 per year.

Then we get the Matt Carkner situation. The Avalanche twitter feed announced that Carkner had signed with the Avalanche. When the good folks at TSN contacted his agent, they were told that no deal had been reached. Then, it was announced that he has now signed a three year deal with the New York Islanders. (Avalanche fans, the twitter gaff may be a bit embarrassing, but there is no need for Carkner. Currently five defensemen are signed, Erik Johnson is obviously going to be signed, and then Elliott, Barrie, and Gaunce can fight it out for the 7th defensive spot.)

It is now being reported that the Avalanche have signed defenseman Greg Zanon to a two-year, $4.25 million deal. Personally I am pretty confused about this signing. Possibly a trade in the making that will send one of the previously signed defensemen somewhere? No official report has been announced by the Avalanche yet though, so this may be another rumor.

P. A. Parenteau just signed with the Avalanche for four years, $16 million total. Parenteau had 67 points last season, could work well with Duchene.

In the news of former Avs, Jay McClement, who tested the free agency market after this season, has signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs for two years and $3 million. Good luck JayMac!

Last week, two big trades united brothers. Jordan Staal was traded to his brother, Eric’s team. (Jared Staal is also in the Carolina Hurricanes system.) Luke Schenn was traded to Philadelphia, where his brother Brayden plays.

In the spirit of these trades, I thought I would look at what brotherly pairs the Avalanche could bring together.

Yan (L) and Paul Stastny.

Paul& Yan Stastny: Paul Stastny’s older brother, Yan, is another member of the family’s storied hockey tradition. Yan has played 91 games in the NHL, scoring six goals and 16 points overall. In 2010-2011 he played in the KHL, and last season he played in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. The DEL is the premier hockey league in Germany, and is the league with the most Canadian and American players outside of the NHL.

Ryan& Cal O’Reilly: Ryan O’Reilly’s older brother is a center, currently playing in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. Cal has played 113 NHL games with the Nashville Predators, the Phoenix Coyotes, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring 13 goals and 41 points.

Jamie, Tye& Brock McGinn: Jamie McGinn has two younger brothers. Tye is 21 years old, and a prospect in the Philadelphia Flyers organization. Brock was just drafted this year, in the second round, by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Matt& Shawn Hunwick: Matt Hunwick’s younger brother, Shawn is a goaltender. He has played in one NHL game, for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He only played a few minutes at the end, and thus was not credited with either a W or a L. However, his goals against average was 0.00.

Mark& Darin Olver: Mark Olver has played 42 games for the Colorado Avalanche over the past two seasons. His brother, Darin plays in Germany, in the DEL.

Cameron& Brendan Gaunce: Cameron Gaunce played 11 games for the Colorado Avalanche in the 2010-2011 season. He didn’t receive a call-up last season; however he remains one of the most promising defensemen in the Avalanche system. His brother, Brendan Gaunce, was taken 26th overall by the Vancouver Canucks last week.

In actual news, Dean Chynoweth was announced as the head coach of the Lake Erie Monsters yesterday. He will be the third head coach in Monsters history (current Avalanche head coach Joe Sacco and assistant coach David Quinn were the previous ones). Chynoweth spent the past three years as an assistant coach for the New York Islanders. He has also served as a head coach in both the CHL and the IHL.