Here’s your two most recent RMN headlines:
Razor’s home debut didn’t quite work out the way he drew it up in his mind. The Blackhawks scored 7 (6 against Raycroft) and beat the Avs 7-4. Razor stopped just 17 of the 23 shots he faced - you didn’t have to see the game (which I didn’t) to know that that’s not a good performance. Still, can we put the Raycroft sucks stuff on hold for a bit? We knew we were getting a guy trying to find his game. That doesn’t happen overnight, and is there anyone who knows that better than Avalanche fans?
A lot of starters rested tonight, making for some odd line combinations. Paul Stastny played with Darcy Tucker and David Jones. The three combined for 4 goals (that would be all the Avs scoring), 2 assists and 8 hits. They were each +1 in the game - the only 3 Colorado players in the black. I don’t think there was much question about Jones making the team before the game, but that certainly solidifies his spot.
I thought it was interesting that Granato put 3 of the guys fighting for a spot - Per Ledin, TJ Hensick and Chris Stewart - all on one line. Unfortunately, it didn’t resolve much. Hensick was cut in the eye by a high-stick from Jack Skille early in the first and played sparingly for a while before exiting for good midway through the 2nd. Hensick played just over 5 minutes, Ledin just over 8 and Stewart 13. They combined to muster 1 shot, 1 hit and were a combined -6. If Granato really meant that bullshit statement about deciding the final cuts based on Friday and Sunday’s games, these guys are in trouble.
I also noticed on the ol’ shift chart that John-Michael Liles didn’t have many 3rd-period shifts. His last shift was 7:48 of the 3rd. No mention of any injury in the RMN recap. Speaking of Liles, I think the game summary is screwed up a bit. They have Liles taking a hi-sticking penalty at 5:46, exactly 2 minutes after a high-stick to Dustin Byfuglien. However, the Hawks scored at the 6:10 mark. Not only was it credited as an EV goal, but Liles was on the ice when it was scored. So, I’m figuring his actual penalty coincided with Byfuglien’s high-stick (and Hannan’s retaliatory roughing?) penalty at 3:46. That’s not the only issue - Chicago also apparently has a guy named “Beach Kyle”. I wonder if he’s any relation to Kyle Beach? I guess scorekeepers need preseason to tune up as well as the players.
I thought there would be a bigger battle for the backup spot in preseason/camp. Raycroft can get better but I’m sure the Avs don’t want to lose their backup starts because of organizational pride. My conspiracy theory is that Raycroft gets “hurt” so they can call up Cash so the Goalie Whisperer can work with Raycroft while not putting him on waivers.
I didn’t win Powerball last week, so I’m not putting money on my conspiracy prediction.
I was there, and I’m pretty sure that liles penalty was not at the same time as the matching minors. The game summary could still be screwed up though, as I’m only sure that it wasn’t at the same time.
Jones had an excellent game- if he continues like he did last night, he’s gonna get some goals. Like 20 or so if I had to bet. The deadmarsh comparison is a good one. Tucker played well too, so that makes us 1 for 2 in the TML cast off department.
I won’t say raycroft sucks yet, but there were two soft goals that I saw (and I didn’t see chicagos first 2) The other two didn’t look like he had much of a chance. Please, budaj, be the goalie we all know you can be!
I’m not too worried about Raycroft. I mean this is just preseason, we shouldn’t take any of this too seriously. I sure hope Hensick’s ok, and that he makes the team. IMO, a 3rd line of Tucker-Hensick-Jones would be so damn awesome!
btw, just noticed the “Your NHL 3rd jersey source (with some Colorado Avalanche stuff mixed in)” at the top there, brilliant! LOL
Even though that is exactly what happened with Theo…but I digress…