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Game Preview: Avalanche vs Oilers
2007-10-23 17:05:00
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)It's homecoming time for Ryan Smyth and the question on everyone's mind is whether he'll get a hero's welcome or be booed off the ice. I'll admit to being mildly skeptical on him getting a raring ovation but I'm cynical that way. Although Smyth and Lowe both say there are no hard feelings, some fans may feel differently. Many felt that Smyth and his agent played hardball and he should have taken a bit of a discount to keep his services with the Oilers and when he didn't, he was a "sell out". Which is an overused term might I add.The media demand for Smyth was so overwhelming that the Avalanche booked him for a press conference yesterday and he will not speak again until after the game. During yesterday's press conference, Smyth held it together until the very end when it became evident that he still cared very much for the city and all the memories generated in his time there. Hopefully the fans remember all those memories and not the sour en...
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Skrastins Injured; Avalanche Recalls Cumiskey
2007-10-23 00:43:00
First, let me saw that although I understand the grammar behind it, it still feels weird putting "Recalls" instead of "Recall" in that headline.The Avalanche announcers stated during last night's game against the Wild that Karlis Skrastins was back in Denver with an injured shoulder. So our iron man has been hit with a streak of injuries dating back to the knee injury which ended his streak.In his place in the press box - well, Finger's place I guess - will be young Kyle Cumiskey who the Avalanche recalled today. Cumiskey put on a great showing in training camp but he's primarily an offensive defenceman and the Avalanche (supposedly) have enough of those. So off to Lake Erie he went.He should get to watch at least one game from the press box but I've yet to hear if Skrastins is a long-term injury or not. Cumiskey was called up once already this season when Jordan Leopold went down with a brief hip injury.
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Avalanche Comeback Falls Short Again; Lose 3-2 to Wild
2007-10-22 02:21:00
(Scott A. Schneider/Getty Images)Gah. I know it's early but if this is how the Avalanche are going to play this year, something needs to be done. This team is soft, soft, soft. And they appear to lack intensity. I know Joe is a quiet leader and is very calm at all times, but sometimes the team needs to play with some desperation. Maybe one of the other leaders needs to lead by example in those situations.In their defense though, the Wild are a good team, likely the second best team in the league right now (behind Ottawa and just ahead of Detroit - sorry). So a loss to the Wild is not cause for panic. It's just the trend that's rearing its head again that might lend itself well to panic.First PeriodWould have been nice to see this period but I missed most of it thanks to Center Ice difficulties. I have no idea where the issue was but this is the second Avalanche game that I've had troubles watching. Is this common with Center Ice or is Shaw still having growing pains?It ...
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Game Preview: Avalanche vs Wild
2007-10-21 08:06:00
(Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)I just finished watching UFC 77 and have volleyball from 9:00 until 12:30 tomorrow morning so this will be short and sweet. I ramble on too often anyways.The Avalanche head to Minnesota for game 2 of their 4 game roadtrip and it's not going to be easy. The Minnesota Wild are the leagues only unbeaten team in regulation (6-0-1) and they've been winning in style. Defensive style.Nik Backstrom and Josh Harding are the best goaltending duo on the league at the moment as they have given up only 8 goals in their 7 games which is tops in the league. On the flip side, the Wild have only scored 14 goals in those 7 games. But if you give up less goals then you score, the odds are pretty good that you're going to win. Almost 100% as a matter of fact.Colorado, on the other hand, has scored 23 goals with their high-octane offense. Unfortunately their solar-powered defense/goaltending combination has been playing under a cloud as of late, giving up the same a...
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NHL Digest Interview With ESPN’s John Buccigross
2007-10-21 03:54:00
The Neil Show at NHLDigest .com, a site which I have the privilege of contributing content to, recently had a chance to interview John Bugicross, ESPN’s Sports Center anchor, hockey columnist and author of the new book Jonesy: Put Your Head Down and Skate.It's a great interview and I definitely recommend checking it out. Here are a few excerpts to wet your beaks. TheNeilShow - Do you see the NHL and ESPN working together again? Any specific reasons why or why not?John Buccigross - ESPN is always interested in any major or minor sports league who is in the last year of a contract. Whether it’s the NFL, NBA, MLB, Arena League, MLS, or professional golf and tennis they will always at least investigate if it makes financial sense to do something. If it makes sense they do it, if it doesn’t, they don’t.TheNeilShow - Do you see Peter Forsberg coming back this year? if so who do you bet he signs with? John Buccigross - I think Forsberg will sign with the Rangers or Flyers.TheNeil...
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Avalanche Fight Back But Come up Short; Lose 5-3
2007-10-20 03:14:00
(Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)Good grief. This better not be indicative of how the Avalanche will play most of their games this year. Come out flat, give up a big lead, come back firing, catch up and then late fate take over to decide the game. It's going to get real old, real fast. In fact, it already is old as the Avalanche were prone to this last year and we've now seen back-to-back games played out in this style.Quenneville better learn how to light a fire under his team. And quick. Yes, they're calm, they're experienced, they can score. That doesn't help when the other team is already up by 3 or 4 goals though. And it's no excuse for shoddy play.First PeriodFlipping brutal. It was a complete repeat of the performance against the Flames. Turnovers at will, lack of intensity, odd man rushes galore and lack of goaltending to bail them out.The Avs got an early powerplay and they were fairly effective. If by "effective" I mean "giving up 2-on-1 chances". Sure, they ...
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Game Preview: Avalanche vs Blackhawks
2007-10-18 21:45:00
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)It's time for the Avalanche to embark on a 4-game roadtrip as they head into Chicago tonight. Well, I'm sure they're already there and are enjoying the Windy City. The Avalanche are headed in on a 2-game winning streak, both wins coming at home, while still searching for their first road win.They will be attempting the feat with Jose Theodore in net. Well, he'll be starting the game anyways. The Denver Post reported on the starting goaltender choice yesterday afternoon and DD from In the Cheap Seats subsequently had an embolism. Ok, he wasn't that upset but judging by Dater's headline, sensationalism is where it's at when writing so I figured I would jump on the bandwagon.In other goaltending news, Jeff Hacket is now a full-time goaltending coach with Theodore and Budaj. To that I say...he wasn't before? Why not? Wasn't it obvious that the team had goaltending issues? Or was everyone living in the glorious land of Oblivitarion?Milan Hejduk...
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Stastny Atop the ESPN Power Rankings
2007-10-17 21:24:00
ESPN has updated their power rankings and the Avalanche's very own Paul Stastny sits atop the list. There has been much love thrown around on Paul Stastny since he opened the season with a hat trick and it's well deserved. Sophomore slump is an over-rated "phenomenon" as myself and others have said before. And Stastny is doing his best to make us look smart about saying that.He only sits at 6th on TSN's recently updated power rankings behind Zetterberg, Campbell, Thomas, Kolzig and Backstrom. Yep, 3 goaltenders atop the leader board followed by a defenceman. Gary Bettman is rolling in his grave. Or office chair. Whatever.I find it hard to argue with TSN's choices. They are obviously weighting goaltending performances and point producing D-men a bit more heavily than forwards but that's how they chose their formula and who am I to complain? If they weighted defense and goaltending less, Stastny would be #2 behind Zetterberg And it would be hard to argue that if you've ...
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Avalanche Win Barn Burner 5-4 in SO
2007-10-17 03:45:00
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)Tonight it was your typical Avalanche -Flames matchup and damn was it exciting! I don't know what it is about these two teams but they have some amazing games with back and forth action leading me to have tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Shouts of agony and shouts of joy. It's a good thing I'm young because I don't think my heart could take this if I was older.Be prepared for a lot of reading.First PeriodPhew. I said it about the third period against the Blues but that distinction is now owned by this period. Worst. Period. Ever. The Avalanche looked like a bush league team with their miscommunication and turnovers. The period didn't actually start too terribly but 5 minutes in, it was becoming evident that the team wasn't here to play.The Avalanche had some early chances against Kiprusoff but he was easily up to the test. The Avs then got a powerplay which was negated by a Sakic hook which was negated by an Erikkson trip. So it w...
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Hejduk Out - Listed as Day-to-day
2007-10-16 22:07:00
In mildly bad news, Milan Hejduk is out for today's game against the Flames with a stiff back. Hejduk has consistently been one of the top players for the Avalanche, even in their losses to St. Louis and Nashville. Marek Svatos will take his spot on the second line. So we should see Guite and Parker in the lineup tonight unless Q decides to dress seven defensemen.Click here for the Denver Post article.
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Ryan Stoa Blows Out Knee
2007-10-16 18:28:00
Ryan Stoa is set to undergo knee surgery which will cause him to miss the rest of the season with the Golden Gophers. It's a tough break for a young player and I'm sure he'll have a great season next year.Jori at Avs Prospects has the story. Click here to read more.
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Game Preview: Avalanche vs Flames
2007-10-16 06:20:00
(AP Photo/Will Powers)It's the first game of the year between two teams who found themselves entrenched in a playoff race for the ages last season. The Flame s got in by 1 point - in case anyone had forgotten - and the Avalanche were stuck on the sidelines. They both hope to get off to a good start to avoid another race this season and this game could go a long way to swinging the tide for either team.The Avalanche are coming off a big 5-1 win against Columbus Saturday night. And by "big" I'm talking point margin, not big as in they just beat Detroit or Ottawa (flame away at me if you must). However, the team was looking to be moving well, the line combinations seemed to be clicking, defensive assignments were being followed and they've got me feeling very optimistic about the game today.A large part of my optimism lies with the line combinations coach Q went with against the Jackets. He moved Wolski back up with Sakic and Brunette while bumping Hlinka down to the third line ...
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Liles Getting His Priorities Straight
2007-10-15 18:08:00
Photo by Layne Murdoch/Getty ImagesThe Denver Post has an excellent article up on John-Michael Liles and how he's been changing his game. He's tired of being labeled a one-dimensional blueliner and has been working on improving his defensive game. I've been very happy with his play so far this season and as he's been avoiding Q's doghouse, it would appear he's on the right track.View the original articleSidenote: The article also has a quick piece on the Stars "wooing" Forsberg. Who isn't trying to get Forsberg on their team though? If someone finds an article about a team who says "Nah, we don't want this guy" - and not for salary cap reasons alone - send it along.
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Avalanche Bury Blue Jackets; Win 5-1
2007-10-14 06:26:00
(AP Photo/Will Powers)Well that was much better. The Avalanche came out ready to play, and the ended the game ready to play some more. That's what you need to win games. Luck never hurts either but the Avalanche didn't need any of that tonight. From start to finish they worked hard. It doesn't mean they won all the battles but it means they were there for every battle and that itself...is half the battle. Hmm. 1..2..3..uses of "battle" in that sentence. Nicely done.First PeriodThe Avalanche got an early 5-on-3 with Mike Peca and Adam Foote in the box but failed to capitalize. It wasn't for lack of chances though. They fired off 6 shots but Pascal Leclaire was up to the task.Shortly after Leclaire had snagged the Blue Jackets franchise record for a shutout streak, Joe Sakic fought for position in front of the net and had a puck bounce in off of him as he was being dumped to the ice. A good, hard-working goal.The Avalanche were then hit with some penalty trouble of their...

Game Preview: Avalanche vs Blue Jackets
2007-10-13 20:25:00
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Well, it's time for the Avs to pick themselves up, brush off their jerseys, and pull out a big win at home. After being mildly embarrassed last night against the Blue s, they better come out pissed off and hungry for a win.I'm pissed off and I'm not even on the team. The effort put in last night was reminiscent of last season's team and I really really really hoped that was all behind them. I truly don't understand how a team with players such as Sakic, Hannan, Smyth and Laperriere can be lacking drive, passion and intensity. My mind is boggled.They'll be coming up against a hot goaltender in Pascal Leclaire. Leclaire has shut out the Ducks and the Coyotes and has yet to let in a goal this season. But as they say - or is that just what I say? - the more things stay the same, the more likely they are to change.Colorado will have Peter Budaj between the pipes as the plan all along was for Budaj and Theodore to split time in goal this weekend. Theodo...
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Leopold Injured
2007-10-13 05:38:00
Jordan Leopold made Q's decision on which of the 7 active defensemen to scratch against the Blues. He sat out the game against the Blues with a hip injury. Sigh.Read the Rocky Mountain News report
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Avalanche Singing the Blues: Lose 4-1
2007-10-13 02:14:00
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Well, it was a tough start as I figured it would be. The Avalanche weathered the storm and came away with a 1-1 tie. The 2nd period was uneventful but the game broke wide open in the 3rd. A two-goal outburst by Dan Hinote sealed the fate of the Avalanche as they were never able to solve Manny Legace except for one flukey goal.First PeriodYikes. Tough start to this period as Brad Boyes scored a goal 1:14 into the period. Paul Kariya burned in to the zone around Brett Clark (I believe it was #5), Theodore made a close-in save off Kariya, then another off the trailer. However, Brad Boyes was coming in unimpeded and Theodore was well out of position at this point so it was a tap-in for him.So first game in, first scoring rush, first goal against for Jose Theodore. It's an easy one to hang on Theodore's head immediately. However the Blues announcers were right...this one can be mostly be hung at the feet of Joe Sakic. He dogged the backcheck and Boyes m...
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Game Preview: Avalanche vs Blues - Oct 12
2007-10-12 08:15:00
(Photo Courtesy SI.com)Whew! That was a long break from Avalanche action. Thankfully there was plenty of action from coast to coast to keep me entertained during the dry spell.The Avalanche now have back-to-back games to play against the St. Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets this weekend. They will then await the Flames on Oct 16th for the Avalanche's first divisional matchup. The Blues and Avalanche are both 2-1-0 heading into the game tonight.This game against St. Louis will be the first real look the Avalanche get against a team who upgraded themselves this year with the additions of Kariya, Tkachuk and Mike Johnson. Mike Johnson is a player I would have liked the Avalanche to sign but...win some, lose some.A couple of the rookies I was anxious to see - Erik Johnson and David Perron - are not likely to be in the lineup. Erik Johnson, their top draft pick on '06, is out with a broken foot and David Perron has yet to see regular season action. Jay McKee and Eric Brewe...
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Paul Stastny Conference Call Transcript
2007-10-10 00:08:00
Alanah at Kukla's Korner has posted a transcript of a conference call with Paul Stastny.I may have a comment or two to add later on but for now, I should continue working.Don't forget to check out Kukla's Korner every day for a slew of hockey-related links and information.
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Avalanche Reassign Weiman
2007-10-08 22:04:00
The Avalanche announced that they have reassigned Tyler Weiman to Lake Erie where he will take over as the starting goaltender.Weiman saw only 10 minutes during his time with the big club where he stopped 10 shots in relief of Peter Budaj and looked solid.His time will come but for now he'll head up the Lake Erie Monsters roster as they quest forth in their inaugural season.