The Archives

01.08.07

Liles injured Avalanche Notebook | (0)
Coloradoavalanche.com is reporting that John-Michael Liles suffered a broken foot in the Minnesota game, and is expected to miss 4 weeks. This is a severe blow to the Avs struggling powerplay - Brett Clark is currently the only healthy defenseman with a PP point (with a whopping 5). No word on a replacement call-up, although I wonder if that Avs will just go back to using Klee on defense. Even without Liles, the Avs have 7 defensemen on the roster, so I'm not sure it's a guarantee that a defenseman will get recalled.
01.08.07

Midseason Report Card: Forwards Midseason Report | (1)
I've graded defensemen. I've graded the goalies. Now it's time to bring the sexy back: bring on the forwards. In my preview, I got a few things right, although it seems I was dead on when I said that "I don’t think Colorado will miss a beat in the scoring department" and "I’m a bit worried about Colorado’s special teams". Even strength, the Avs can score - they are averaging 2.08 goals per game 5-on-5, 2nd best in the league. 17 times they've scored 4 goals or more so far. 7 Colorado forwards have more than 20 points, and just two ...
01.07.07

1/6 Colorado 2, Minnesota 1 (SO) Avalanche Recaps | (2)
In an exciting game, the Avs won their 3rd straight, dropping the Minnesota Wild 2-1. The tightness of the NW division has been well documented. Every division game is vital, and this game had a palpable playoff atmosphere to it. Shots were relatively low (27-25 for Colorado), but there were numerous scoring chances and both Peter Budaj and Manny Fernandez made some spectacular saves. Minnesota's Marian Gaborik returned from a groin injury, after having missed approximately 723 games. Gaborik is stunningly talented. As a hockey fan, I really enjoy watching him play. As an Avs fan...well, I wouldn't mind if that ...
01.06.07

1/5 Colorado 4, Tampa Bay 2 Avalanche Recaps | (0)
The Avalanche, despite a mini post-Christmas slump, seem to be building momentum to a strong second half. Colorado is traditionally very strong in the month of January, and, if the last two games are any indication, plan on continuing that trend this year. Peter Budaj continues to get the call in net, and it has been paying dividends. Since Jose Theodore lost to the Kings on December 9th, Budaj has started 8 of the last 11 games. He has a 6-2 record and a 2.42 GAA in that span, and the team overall is 7-4. While Theodore hasn't been awful ...
01.05.07

Pregame: Lightning at Avalanche Avalanche Previews | (0)
quickly...Avs welcome the Salary Cap Disasters...er, the Lightning into town tonight. Peter Budaj starts for the Avs. Brett McLean is scheduled to return, Brisebois is still out. As most probably already know, Brad Richardson was sent down earlier this week and Ben Guite was recalled (he will wear #28). I think Richardson has gotten a bit of the Sauer treatment by Joel Quenneville. Maybe the time in Albany will help him find his scoring touch...hard to do that stuck on the 4th line.
01.03.07

Midseason Report Card: Defensemen Midseason Report | (1)
Episode II of the Avs midseason report cards. Yesterday I looked at goalies. Today, I'm talking about the defensemen. At this point last season, the defense was finally coming together after a rough first half. The Avs had a bunch of new faces - Brett Clark, Ossi Vaananen and Patrice Brisebois - and the lack of cohesion had resulted in some ugly defensive hockey early on. But by the time 2006 rolled around, the unit was beginning to gel, and the team enjoyed a nice run in January that was probably what got them into the playoffs. This year, there's just one ...
01.02.07

Midseason Report Card: Goaltenders Midseason Report | (0)
With the Avalanche off until Friday, it seems as good a time as any to release my midseason report cards. To start things off, let's look at the team's Best Penalty Killers™ - the goalies. Jose Theodore This was going to be Jose Theodore's triumphant return. After stumbling badly last year under the withering glare of the Montreal media, Theo seemed relieved to be breathing in some of the friendlier Rocky Mountain air. After improving his play as the playoffs went on (not long enough for my tastes, of course) and after a rumored dalliance with mega-skank and notorious non-swallower Paris Hilton ...
01.01.07

1/1 Colorado 5, Nashville 3 Avalanche Recaps | (0)
Wojtek Wolski was 15 months old when the Quebec Nordiques drafted Joe Sakic with the 15th overall pick in the 1987 draft (one pick after Stephane Quintal, right ahead of Bryan Marchment). 19 1/2 years and two Stanley Cups later, Wolski was the goal scorer on the assist that moved Burnaby Joe into a tie for 10th on the all-time scoring list. It was a vintage Sakic pass that led to Wolski's rifle shot past Pred's goalie Chris Mason, and it was a vintage Sakic celebration after the goal (as in, there wasn't much of one). As good as he ...