Game 3: Flames 5, Avalanche 4

by Joe Dunman on Oct 15, 2008 8:34 AM MDT in Game Recaps Comment 43 comments

Well, that sucked. The Avs continued their sloppy play in their own zone, Peter Budaj became a rebound machine and Colorado let themselves get beat by Todd Freakin' Bertuzzi, falling to the Flames 5-4.

The Avalanche are now 0-3-0 on the season, including two divisional losses.

The good news? The offense is getting points from nearly every line, and the power play managed two goals. Unfortunately, the penalty kill was about as useless as it could have been, allowing three opposing goals and essentially forgetting how to clear the zone altogether.

I'm very happy that Tony Granato completely overhauled the offense during the summer. I'm not at all happy that he overhauled the defense. That's the one thing Joel Quenneville was pretty good at, and Granato's system either forgot about it or doesn't allow for it at all. Despite looking so good on paper, the Avalanche blue line is porous and uncoordinated, and follows through about as well as a golfer with a torn Achilles tendon.

And look, I love me some Peter Budaj, but he crapped the bed in Game 3. Whereas in the first two games he was really hung out to dry by his defense, against Calgary he was as much at fault for his failures as anybody else. Some rebounds are just unavoidable. Others, like many of the ones he coughed up last night, are not. In baseball they use the term "gripping the bat too tight" to describe a slump caused by stress and self-doubt. Budaj is gripping something too tight, and he needs to regain the poise and confidence we've seen in him before. It's there. He's capable of it. He just has to do it.

It's one thing to get blown out every game. At least that would be humorous in a dark, cynical kind of way. We could all revel in the awfulness and brag about how many goals against the Avs could allow. But every single game so far has been a one-goal loss. 5-4, 3-2, 5-4. The Avs are right there but just can't make it happen.

Is it time to panic? Nope. Is it time to get frustrated? You betcha, goshdarnit. A couple more losses and both Peter Budaj and Tony Granato are going to find themselves scouting with Joel Quenneville before they know what hit them. And I can only imagine the hell Budaj will face if Andrew Raycroft manages a shutout on his first relief start., which could come in the next couple of games. Oh god.

Make no mistake, though. This is not the sole fault of the goalie, or the coach, or just a couple of defensemen. This is a team-wide bed-crapping that absolutely must be addressed ASAP. Stat!

If the Avs are going to lose, at least lose big. And if they're going to win, they had better start soon.

ADDENDUM: It's really funny to watch Adrian Dater go completely ape shit. Theodore signing with the Capitals must have been like a bad breakup to him, the way he's crying about it. Three games, dude. Three games. For a guy who admires Scotty Bowman so much, he's definitely not listening to the great coach's advice.

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Dater

The weird thing about Dater’s rant was that he ripped Theo, pretty badly, this summer for not taking a bigger discount for the Avs. Now he’s ripping management.. it puzzles me.

I believe in Peter Budaj

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 15, 2008 9:31 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

He’s just going with the flow.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Oct 15, 2008 9:41 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

He needs something to write about.

I still maintain he’s the best sports writer I’ve read an article of, from a colorado newspaper though

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Oct 15, 2008 10:28 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bob Kravitz for me, though he was a columnist and not a beat writer for the Rocky Mountain News. He had a real passion for the game that clicked with his readers when he wrote about hockey. When he left, they replaced him with Bernie Lincicome. Talk about a serious downgrade :-(

Colorado Avalanche Prospects (www.avsprospects.blogspot.com)

by Angélique C. Murray on Oct 15, 2008 1:28 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bob was the shit, except for the whole being a crazy goalie thing (sorry mike). I really miss him, cuz I knew he played the game too, and could actually relate. Bernie….. well, I guess if you can’t say anything nice…..

by TheRed on Oct 16, 2008 3:27 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think AD sometimes hits the sauce then blogs. Not that there is anything wrong with that, mind you. He starts out like he is going to make a numbered list, then never gets past 1. … the long rant mostly about Theo and Budaj. Dater makes a few pretty good points, however. Face it, at least Theo has the potential to be a great goaltender. I’m not sure that Budaj does. Also, he mentions the awful PK. Anyone think that Yelle may have helped that a little bit? FG hasn’t shown he has what it takes to be a top notch GM. And frankly, the Granato hiring, seeing that this team has many of the same problems that have plagued it over the past few years, is still a huge head scratcher. How’s that McLelland (sp?) guy working out in San Jose? Why on earth would FG at least interviewed other people?

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Oct 15, 2008 9:45 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I think AD sometimes hits the sauce then blogs

Damn Copycat

I believe in Peter Budaj

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 15, 2008 9:56 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

For some reason the team thinks the 3rd period only lasts 15 minutes…

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Oct 15, 2008 10:26 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Sakic is skating like he’s 20 years old. I guess you find another gear in your 20th season.

by c6hor8 on Oct 15, 2008 10:54 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

And Arnason is hardly skating!

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Oct 15, 2008 10:59 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was also one of the notes I had from the 2nd game!

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Oct 15, 2008 2:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope Granato isn't....

Following the “I’ll bench Svatos for being invisable but Arnason is immune” philosophy.

InYoFace Phadouche! InYoFace

by InYoFace on Oct 15, 2008 11:44 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Granato most likely learned from Q’s mistakes. Look at the offensive flow the team has now!

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Oct 15, 2008 2:02 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess

Arny’s wearing some sort of invisibility cloak that doesn’t seem to work against video cameras.

That’s the only reason I’m left with.

by Drakenlot on Oct 15, 2008 2:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

do you think

the defense is just having a longer period to adjust to playing a new style under Granato. Eventually I think this team will get better, But I hope its sooner than later.
I am so tired of Dater and his rants. Its so tiresome

somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong

by broncfanstuckinsd on Oct 15, 2008 12:16 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

From reports I have heard the Avs are still playing the weird zone thing that Cloutier does. It causes awkward spaces and seams that opposing players take advantage of.

Never trust the lunch lady.

by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Oct 15, 2008 12:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Makes sense

That would make a lot of sense. Players have been sneaking in all season and just go untouched. Penner’s GW in Edmonton is a prime example (and Horcroff’s PP goal is a good example too)

I believe in Peter Budaj

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 15, 2008 1:00 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

There wasn’t much space when the defense collided in front of the goal and allow the Calgary forwards to shoot till they finally beat Budaj. But there has to be a reason why there is always a wide open, opposition forward camped on Budaj’s doorstep.

Now and then we had the hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be PIRATES.
-Mark Twain-

by Americanario on Oct 15, 2008 1:21 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disagree a little.

Budajs best period of the season was the second last night. Uncoincidencely (is that a word… it is now) the Avs defense did a good job of engaging forwards so they couldn’t make that extra pass and there wasn’t anyone to pass to in the second period.

I believe in Peter Budaj

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 15, 2008 1:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just for shits and giggles:

Budaj 0-3-0 SV% .824 GAA 4.38
Giguere 0-3-0 SV% .851 GAA 4.38
Theodore 1-0-0 SV% .824 GAA 4.02
T. Thomas 1-0-0 SV% .897 GAA 4.02
Kiprusoff 1-1-1 SV% .826 GAA 4.90
Biron 0-2-0 SV% .800 GAA 6.35
Khabibulin 0-1-0 SV% .882 GAA 4.08
Toskala 1-1-1 SV% .860 GAA 4.36
Leclaire 1-2-0 SV% .850 GAA 4.23

Yep, Budaj is clearly the problem here…

Now and then we had the hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be PIRATES.
-Mark Twain-

by Americanario on Oct 15, 2008 1:56 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Theo wasn’t credited for the loss in the game he got pulled in?

InYoFace Phadouche! InYoFace

by InYoFace on Oct 15, 2008 1:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

The goalie that ends it is credited.

So while the first goalie may have let in 10 goals before the 1st intermission and his replacement went on to stop 100 shots, the seocnd guy is given the lost.

Sucks for goalies.

by Drakenlot on Oct 15, 2008 2:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually I believe that the Caps actually tied it at four (the number of goals Theo allowed) and then in the third period three more goals (including the GWG) was score on Theo’s replacement. So the back up took the loss. Not fair, but that’s the way it goes.
Which every goalie gives up the GWG gets the loss.

Now and then we had the hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be PIRATES.
-Mark Twain-

by Americanario on Oct 15, 2008 2:07 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Theo won a game? Curses

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Oct 15, 2008 2:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stats

show he prolly faced 1-5 shots.

I’m not about to check, but thinking tihs makes me happy.

by Drakenlot on Oct 15, 2008 2:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

He faced 21 against the Blackhawks and allowed 2 goals. Final was 4-2.

Now and then we had the hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be PIRATES.
-Mark Twain-

by Americanario on Oct 15, 2008 2:08 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn

you for bursting my bubble.

by Drakenlot on Oct 15, 2008 6:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

By showing he is among the bottom of the barrel, even with the big names, and that his save percentage is tied for 2nd to worst, how does that show he is not the problem, if I’m reading you correctly? Just saying, “Lookie here, these guys suck too so far,” just doesn’t do it for me. Sorry.

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Oct 15, 2008 2:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

But as an addendum

If Biron is slated to go tomorrow night, and so is Budaj, should we expect some sort of scoring record?

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Oct 15, 2008 2:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

By showing he is among the bottom of the barrel, even with the big names, and that his save percentage is tied for 2nd to worst, how does that show he is not the problem, if I’m reading you correctly?

It doesn’t show anything. Stats stands for Statistics. In order for Statistics to mean anything you need a reasonable sample size. There isn’t a reasonable sample size yet. you can’t say anything with any reasonable accuracy based on these stats.

My interpretation is that he’s saying that Budaj’s not the only goalie struggling early. That’s all.

I believe in Peter Budaj

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 15, 2008 2:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

However

The sample size is getting bigger. And it ain’t getting better. I really hope, for all of our sake, the Budaj pulls out of this, as does the rest of the team, and in a few weeks we’ll barely remember their “bad start.” But it also isn’t like they have been playing against world beaters, either. Boston, Edmonton and Calgary? What tf will happen against teams like the hated wheel and San Jose?

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Oct 15, 2008 2:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's well documented

that teams in a slump will always break out of it easiest against the best teams.

by Drakenlot on Oct 15, 2008 6:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jibbles, I fully agree with what you’re saying, but I’d a delete that signature you’re sporting, or at least change it into “I want to believe in Peter Budaj”.

At this point, believing in Budaj is about the same as believing Iceland is gonna be fine. It’s not disallowed, but you won’t look pretty wearing a shirt which says just that….

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Oct 15, 2008 4:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn’t Iceland churn out some smoking hot ladies?

Colorado Avalanche: Gellin' and Propellin'!!!

by Mike @ MHH on Oct 15, 2008 4:38 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but they’re bankrupt as a nation

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Oct 15, 2008 4:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Believe

I still believe he’ll pull out of this and be a solid goalie this season. I won’t change my signature until I lose that belief.

I believe in Peter Budaj

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 15, 2008 5:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

And if and when you lose that belief, you could always just add a “d” to the end of “believe” all over the place. That would be easiest.

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Oct 15, 2008 5:51 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

This gets its very own post.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Oct 15, 2008 2:52 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why can’t we talk about the REALLY alarming thing from last night’s game: Captain Douche claiming he took on, and subsequently beat, Colorado’s ‘tough guy’ in one Cody McCormick?

Captain Douche refused to take of his visor and then got a sloppy hummer from the Altiboobs on how fantastic he is as a player, leader, sperm-donor, and god-among-men!

Dater wants the fans to rise up and demand change? How about we rise up and demand that the Altiboobs refrain from proclaiming ANY opposing player the second coming of Gretzky for ONE PERIOD!!! Just one period!!! I believe that would be a more refreshing change than an effective PK, an effective PP, or defensemen that act like they’ve seen someone make a cross-ice pass!

Colorado Avalanche: Gellin' and Propellin'!!!

by Mike @ MHH on Oct 15, 2008 4:37 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I know what you mean, but as happy as I was to see McC take off his helmet and drop his gloves, it fainted pretty quickly after realizing he is about as tough as a toothbrush!

I wanted to see Phadouche go down in one punch. Anything less was failure in my eyes.
And why is no player fighting Bertha? I’m sure Lappy would’ve been willing.

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Oct 15, 2008 4:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wanted to see Phadouche go down in one punch. Anything less was failure in my eyes.
And why is no player fighting Bertha? I’m sure Lappy would’ve been willing.

albeit catching him off guard.. McL sent him down in one punch. I guess Phadouche isn’t used to hitting people who might actually stick up for themselves.

I believe in Peter Budaj

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 15, 2008 5:32 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That rant

makes me very glad I’m stuck with the TSN Panel.

They were ripping everyone apart for every mistake. Yes, it sounded like they were going on about Avs more, but that’s cause our D was brain-dead last night.

They went on for close to 2 mins about how stupid Iggy was for fighting, we lost McC for Iginla. They assumed Granato was jumping for joy for that trade.

by Drakenlot on Oct 15, 2008 6:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I think Dater might have been sippin grandpa’s medicine when he wrote that post. Every word of it pretty much screams “PANIC!!!!!!”. And that’s not usually how he writes things. I don’t agree with anything he said except the PK part, other than that it was all a long rant that I just don’t agree with. Theodore left, yeah, but how do we know if he’s gonna be good or not? He already got pulled once. Brunette left, but we are trying to move towards more youth on our team (which reminds me, why is Hensick still in the minors?). The team is already old, and Brunette was old as well. He was a great player and really helped the team out, but he was noticeably slower last year.

And yeah, that whole numbered list didn’t exactly work out I guess, “1” and done, lol.

Go Avs!

by Mike, (Avs Fan) on Oct 15, 2008 7:04 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs