The Secret To the Avs

This is dedicated to all of you so-called “experts” who are still shocked and amazed at how the Avalanche are not everyone’s whipping boy this year.

Are you sitting down? Taking notes?

It’s a little thing called HEART AND DETERMINATION. This team is a good mix of young kids and veterans who just want it. They know that little was made of them this season, and the ones who were here last year, knows the feeling of being mocked ruthlessly.

Point number two, the Avalanche coaching staff consist of guys like Joe Sacco, Adam Deadmarsh, Steve Konowalchuk, Sylvain Lefebvre. These are hard-nosed players, who always played with everything they had. It looks like it’s rubbing off on this team.

There it is, in black and white. The Avalanche are playing with this thing called heart. No elitist team who expects everyone to bow to them. No superstar player who’s had his entire career handed to him since he was 14 years old. Just a bunch of guys who work and play hard.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtdCJC7y7GQ]

The theme song for the Colorado Avalanche…The 69 Eyes - Never Say Die

Backup Blog is Up…

(actually, this is about to become the backup blog.)

Head on over to http://milehighmayhem.wordpress.com to see the main site now…I can do more over there than I could here.

On the Road Again: Avs in Oil Country

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Colorado Avalanche (8-1-2, 18 pts) @ Edmonton Oilers (6-4-1, 13 pts)

TV: COL (ALT-HD); EDM (S-Net West)  Radio: COL (Mile High Sports) EDM (1610 CHED)

What’s the Big Deal?

Colorado comes in with the NHL’s second best record, trailing Pittsburgh by only one win. After a couple of games at home, the Avs are back on the road tonight facing an Oilers team that was 5-1 before dropping contests in Calgary and Vancouver.

Craig Anderson has been phenomenal this season, with a second best save percentage among regular starters. (Technicality sixth, but only Ryan Miller is the only person with a better save percentage that you could call a “regular starter”) With their hot start, they have caught the attention of the NHL. However, not everything is sunshine and lollipops in Av land, Colorado is 28th in the NHL in shots allowed, and dead last in the league in faceoff percentage. Both are easily correctable problems.

Meanwhile, the Oilers started hot, but have come back down to Earth in the last couple of games. They are coming off a 2-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, as Roberto Luongo starts to regain his stride. Dustin Penner is starting to live up to the hype he had coming over to Edmonton from Anaheim.

Goaltending Matchup

Craig Anderson (8-1-2 2.14 GAA, 1 SO)

Nikolai Khabiibulin (5-3 3.51 GAA)

Avs’ Keys to Victory

Shoot the Puck

Colorado is 27th in the NHL in shooting the puck, Edmonton is 27th in allowing shots. In the words of the Great One “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

The “Pen” is Not Mightier

Dustin Penner is seventh in the NHL in points, obviously, the Avs are going to have to shut him down. Solid forchecking should calm him down a bit.

Sprint out of the Starting Gate

The Oilers have been outscored 8-2 in the first period this season. Early pressure on Khabi is going to be the key to the two points tonight.

Breaking Down

If you were to tell Oilers and Avs fans they would be the two best teams in the Northwest division, at the start of the season, a roar of laughter would have been in your direction. Yet, here they are, Edmonton in 3rd, Colorado in 1st. However, it looks like that typical Oiler swoon is just around the corner. Can Pat Quinn turn it around quickly?

Infamous Prediction

3, 1

Avs News and Notes

Meant to do this yesterday.

Ruutu Suspended 3 Games

Tumono Ruutu has been suspended for three games because of his cheap hit on Darcy Tucker. Tucker, who has been put on the IR for a concussion, was taken off on a stretcher, but now has full mobility. There is no timetable on his return.

Hendricks Out with Groin Injury

According to The Denver Post, Matt Hendricks has a groin pull, and has been put on the IR. Other Avs injury notes: Liles is on the road trip, and could play this week, while Peter Budaj will not make the road trip due to the flu.

Anderson 2nd Star of the Week

Despite being dead last in the NHL on shots against, the Avalanche have the 2nd best record in the NHL. The main reason for that has been the NHL’s 2nd star of the week, Craig Anderson. This is the second time he has been named to the honor.

Game #10: Flair Country Comes to Denver

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Carolina Hurricanes (2-4-2, 6 pts) @ Colorado Avalanche (6-1-2, 14 pts)

TV: CAR (FSN - Carolinas) COL (ALT HD) Radio: CAR (99.9 FM) COL (Mile High Hockey)

What’s the Big Deal

Colorado is finally done with their longest road trip of the season, going 4-1-2. Solid play by Craig Anderson has really started to set this team as one of the tops in the west. After an embarrassing loss in overtime against the Wild, the Avs come home, where they are 2-0.

After shocking the world last season, Carolina has come back down to Earth. They are one of the few teams who have yet to bring two points off the road. Cam Ward has had a shaky start to the season, which has hurt the Hurricanes so far.

Goaltending Matchup

Cam Ward (2-4-2 2.47 GAA)

Craig Anderson (6-1-2 2.09 GAA)

Avs’ Keys to Victory

They Can’t Score

Carolina has had problems scoring all season. Keep that true.

Ward-ing Off the Saves

Cam Ward might be struggling a little, but he’s still one of the top goalies in the NHL. Make sure he cannot give the ‘Canes a chance to win.

Don’t Play Down to Them

Colorado has to fight the temptation to play down to the Hurricanes. They now know what happens when they play down to a struggling team.

I really don’t see how Colorado can really lose this one, the Avs are just too talented to lose to the Hurricanes. They’re back home, the only question is, will Colorado overlook Carolina knowing the Wings are tomorrow?

Infamous Prediction 4, 1

Sorry Ric…

Avs News and Notes: 10/19/2009

Dutchy and Radar to Stay

According to the Denver Post, it looks like Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly are not going back to juniors. Great call by the Avs. Duchene scored his first NHL goal to tie up the Wings at two on Saturday night. The Avs would end up winning 4-3 in a shootout. O’Reilly has been solid for the Avs, and his recent promotion to the third line made it clear he was going nowhere.

Anderson 2nd Star

Craig Anderson has been named the NHL’s 2nd star of the week. He’s been the main reason why the Avs are 6-1-1. This is the best way for Avs fans to not really jump on the fact we are where we need to be just yet, the forchecking is still suspect, causing Anderson to have to play on his head early in the season. Things are looking up for the Avs though.

Avalanche World Tour: Motor City Madness

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Colorado Avalanche (5-1-1, 11 pts) @ Detriot Red Wings (3-3, 6 pts)

TV: DET (FSN- Detroit) COL (Altitude HD) Radio: DET (97.1 The Ticket) COL (Mile High Sports)

What’s the Big Deal?

There has always been an argument when it really started. Some would say it started Game 6 of the 1996 Western Finals, others say it started the night the Wings lit Patrick Roy up for nine goals in Montreal, which led to his trade to Colorado. One thing is for certain, when the Wings and the Avs get together, people still notice.

For the Red Wings, if things started any slower, they would be going in reverse. After being swept in Sweden by the St. Louis Blues, the Wings returned stateside only to face a slew of injuries. Johan Franzen is done for four months, Pavel Datsuk is out of today’s game as well. The only true bright spot for the Wings is surefire Hall of Fame’er Nik Lidstrom (more on him later).

As goes Craig Anderson, so goes the Avalanche. Anderson can do no wrong right now, baffling every team in the NHL, including blowing the minds of seven Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night. Ryan O’Riley got his first NHL goal, and Matt Duchene has been close, but no cigar so far. It’s getting close to decision time for both players, will they be able to step up enough to stay with the big club?

Goaltending Matchup

Craig Anderson (5-1-1 1.99 GAA 1 SO)

Chris Osgood (3-2 3.31 GAA)

Players to watch

#27 Kyle Quincey

Cut me will, ya? Last season, the Red Wings put Quincey on waivers, after a failed trade to the Dallas Stars, only for him to wind up with the LA Kings and led their defesemen in points. Now with the Avs, he’s showing why the Red Wings will regret not having a place on the bench for him.

#5 Nicklas Lidstrom

Lidstrom, without question, is a first ballot Hall of Fame player. Already with 1000 points to his career, Lidstrom is a dual threat on the blueline. With the injuries up front, he will be called on more to become a scoring threat for the Wings. He has the reputation to do just that. He’s going to have to be one of the Avs’ must shut down guys today.

Avs’ Keys to Victory

Avoid the Injured Animal Syndrome

There is no more dangerous animal than an injured one. The injuries are piling up, and they’re struggling, put your skate on their throat, and put this game away early. Give the Wings no hope

Anderson will have to be Roy-Some

This is one of those early season games where Craig Anderson can prove he is a big money goalie in the NHL. He’s had huge wins against Boston and Montreal. Plus, he looked sharp against the Blackhawks. Today is the first true test of Craig Anderson.

Anti-Swede

Datsyuk is out, meaning the Avs have to shut down Team Sweden (Lidstrom and Zetterberg). They are capable of going off at any time. Also, Thomas Holmstrom is another player they are going to have to watch.

All and all, this looks like a daunting task for the Avs. The Wings look like they are starting to end their struggles, despite their injuries. This is going to be a good test for a young Avalanche team.

Infamous Prediction: Avalanche 3, Red Wings 2

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Apparently, These Refs Need to Go Back to School

Rule 74 of the NHL Rulebook

74.1 Too Many Men on the Ice - Players and goalkeepers may be changed at any time during the play from the players’ bench provided that the player or players leaving the ice shall be within five feet (5′) of his players’ bench and out of the play before the change is made. Refer also to Rule 71 – Premature Substitution. At the discretion of the on-ice officials, should a substituting player come onto the ice before his teammate is within the five foot (5’) limit of the players’ bench (and therefore clearly causing his team to have too many players on the ice), then a bench minor penalty may be assessed.

When a player or goalkeeper is retiring from the ice surface and is within the five foot (5’) limit of his players’ bench, and his substitute is on the ice, then the retiring player or goalkeeper shall be considered off the ice for the purpose of Rule 70 – Leaving Bench.

If in the course of making a substitution, either the player entering the game or the player (or goalkeeper) retiring from the ice surface plays the puck with his stick, skates or hands or who checks or makes any physical contact with an opposing player while either the player entering the game or the retiring player is actually on the ice, then the infraction of “too many men on the ice” will be called.

If in the course of a substitution either the player(s) entering the play or the player(s) retiring is struck by the puck accidentally, the play will not be stopped and no penalty will be called.

During the play, the player retiring from the ice must do so at the players’ bench and not through any other exit leading from the rink. This is not a legal player change and therefore when a violation occurs, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed.

A player coming onto the ice as a substitute player is considered on the ice once both of his skates are on the ice. If he plays the puck or interferes with an opponent while still on the players’ bench, he shall be penalized under Rule 56 – Interference.

Which brings me to this…last night, Colorado in Montreal…The defense puts into evidence the last :30 of the game. Montreal has pulled Carry Price….so, there should be six forwards, but count with me.

Avs. Habs

:01: Five players onto the rush.

:04 One goes back on defense, so, there are now 4 players on the screen.

:06 there are now THREE back playing defense….this makes for a total of seven players.

Good job refs. Hope they find their way to the ECHL.

I know a few of you are asking “well, you won, why cry about it?”

It’s not crying. I want to see a good fair game out there. Also, I love to point out that Montreal can’t even cheat correctly.

Under the Weather….

Sorry for no Montreal/Colorado preview…but I am quite sick….

Theo Fleury to Press Charges?

Former Flame, Av, Ranger and Blackhawk Theo Fleury has told the Calgary Herald he is “looking into” pressing charges against former juniors coach and total monster Graham James.

James, as you remember, has already served prison time for molesting former NHL’er Sheldon Kennedy. The story of this abuse does not need to be retold, because if you have heard the story, it’s burned into your mind forever.

I am completely rooting for Fleury to press charges, and finally get this monster behind bars for good. These are just kids for crying out loud. Parents and players alike entrust in these coaches, to not just teach them hockey, but to aid in their life skills as well.

They say there are two times in life a child is very impressionable, the first five years of life, and in their mid-teens. When these coaches get them, they are in the mid teens, I believe around 15 years old, and have them until they are young adults at age 18, and sometimes all the way up to about 24.

They’re away from home for the first time in their lives, some of them scared to death. You can’t speak out because these guys hold the future of the players in their hands. Things like this get CEOs of major cooperations serious jail time, yet Graham only gets less than two years? On top of that, this monster was allowed to go back into coaching?

I know most of the Jrs. coaches are good men who are doing the right thing for the kids. However, it always takes a Graham James to mess everything up. I’d also like to see an investigation on why he was allowed to go back into coaching. The people who are responsible for him to come back should also face charges as well. When it comes to child molesters, no second chances should EVER be given.