Game 6: Avalanche 4, Kings 3
by Joe Dunman on Oct 21, 2008 11:47 AM MDT
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photo courtesy of Jeff Lewis/AP
I missed the game last night due to an impromptu fit of head-banging and floor punching, and didn't check the score until I woke up this morning. I honestly expected an Avalanche loss and a whole stream of "Budaj Has Got To Go" headlines on my phone.
Lo and behold, that was not the case. In fact, Peter Budaj put in a better showing than in his previous three starts and actually pulled out a win this time. Albeit it was a one-goal win and his save percentage was still below .900, but a win nonetheless. The Avalanche beat the Kings 4-3.
Like I said, I missed the game, so no recap from me. You can read the AP report here. I did see some video clips, though, and I have to say that Ryan Smyth's third period goal was one of the best of the year so far, and will likely be one of the best by the end of the season. He's known as a one-trick pony (ass in face of goalie, that's it), but he's showing a more dynamic side of himself this year. I "blame" coach Tony Granato for that.
And speaking of Smyth, his line, the RPM line, is so amazing it's hard to describe. We knew last year that Smyth, Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk had serious chemistry, but it's even better this year. Now that they're not being constantly split up by Joel Queneville, they've become an even greater force to be reckoned with. In six games, the three players have 24 points combined. Stastny currently leads the team with 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists) and is just one point behind league leader Evgeni Malkin (who has played one more game).
The RPM Line is the centerpiece of a team that has scored more goals (24) than any other team in the West so far. If the defense can stay competent and Peter Budaj can stay confident, the Avs could end up surpassing everyone's expectations this season. That said, it's definitely a big "if."
What is far more certain is that Adrian Dater is going to take jabs at Budaj no matter what he does (short of a shutout and/or the Vezina Trophy):
Budaj didn't inspire much confidence early on, allowing a short-sided, tough angle shot by Oscar Moller through the 5-hole. It came at the end of a Kings power play, at 6:19 of the first.
Yep, those short-sided, tough angle 5 hole shots are super easy to stop, so Budaj failing to do so really early in the game must have been damn-near crippling for the Avs. I'm not sure how they refrained from killing him right there on the ice. God he sucks.
At least he finally got that elusive first "W."
The next game for the Avs is Thursday at home against Edmonton.
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LaBarbera
I like his save percentage of 0.714. Thats awesome.
Oh yeah, and Budaj sucks so bad, “I bet he could suck a golf ball through a garden hose.” (Full Metal Jacket)
InYoFace Phadouche! InYoFace
The commentators on Dater’s blog are quite possibly the lowest forms of ‘fandom’ on the planet…
Colorado Avalanche: Gellin' and Propellin'!!!
Not that Dater’s are much better sometimes….
Fortunately for Colorado, Jason LaBarbera was no better in the other net.
LaBarbera was no where close to Budaj last night, to even try and bring LaBarbera to Budaj’s level is asinine. It’s not saying Budaj was great, but he played pretty well after that 1st goal. LaBarbera flat out was terrible, if it hadn’t been for the Kings PK and Defense the game could have been a rout.
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 21, 2008 1:21 PM MDT up reply actions
ZOMG
“OMG if you ignore all the stops that Chokaj made, then he played horrible. That’s a .000 Save Percentage right there. He was so out of position, like the way his entire body doesn’t completely cover the entire net. I mean hello, why would you not put your body in front of that spot if that’s where he’s going to shoot. OMG he sucks so bad. I think the Avs should go out and get Johan Hedberg, he had a couple saves for Atlanta the other night. MOOOOOOOSE, which is way better than Butte-eye’s 0 save %.”
-Note: The above statement is not an accurate assessment of a typical DP commenter. It is way too coherent and doesn’t have enough grammatical and punctuation mistakes to truly portray some of the numbskullery (new word!!!) on display. This is just an approximation.
I believe in Peter Budaj
by Jibblescribbits on Oct 21, 2008 1:41 PM MDT up reply actions
Of course
some of the mistakes are in there.. like capitalizing save percentage.
I believe in Peter Budaj
by Jibblescribbits on Oct 21, 2008 1:42 PM MDT up reply actions
Ohh and...
I missed the game last night due to an impromptu fit of head-banging and floor punching…
Self-love should be an enjoyable experience, Joe. You need to loosen up!
Colorado Avalanche: Gellin' and Propellin'!!!
On the contrary, I was not alone. I went to see a few bands including:
I Wrestled A Bear Once (that’s a girl vocalist)
and the unfortunately-spelled Suffokate
Go Avs! Let's get some goals!
Amature
I turned down a free ticket to Flogging Molly to watch the Avs
I believe in Peter Budaj
by Jibblescribbits on Oct 21, 2008 12:44 PM MDT up reply actions
I hope you had tickets to the Avs to turn Flogging Molly down.
Never trust the lunch lady.
by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Oct 21, 2008 2:33 PM MDT up reply actions
Nope
It was more of a “I don’t want to go to the city in Monday traffic, because I’m fricking spent. I’d rather stay home and just watch the Avs tonight”
I believe in Peter Budaj
by Jibblescribbits on Oct 21, 2008 2:42 PM MDT up reply actions
I'd choose
Bad religion and Pennywise.
"To have arrived on this Earth as a product of a biological accident, only to depart through human arrogance, would be the ultimate irony"
R. Leakey, Origins; 1977
"Two roads divurged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"
R. Frost
Spelling in bands
My friend joined a band called Oragnized Caos years ago. The lead singer always claimed he spelt it that way on purpose but I knew he was just an idiot and spelled “Chaos” wrong. I mispell words all the time but if I’m naming something I don’t just roll with the typo.
InYoFace Phadouche! InYoFace
That is probably one of the most punk/metal bandnames EVER. Where 26CJ is totally original (pity everyone always keeps on forgetting the name).
26 Card Jet
I believe he did
"To have arrived on this Earth as a product of a biological accident, only to depart through human arrogance, would be the ultimate irony"
R. Leakey, Origins; 1977
"Two roads divurged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"
R. Frost
Are you one of those dudes who doesn’t use your zeds in some words?
MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.
by Bob in Boulder on Oct 23, 2008 12:35 PM MDT up reply actions
I, like some, prefer to write words the way they’re supposed to be written, if that’s what you mean.
26 Card Jet
I suppose you say “shedule” too.
MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.
by Bob in Boulder on Oct 23, 2008 2:22 PM MDT up reply actions
Dater's defense
That was a pretty soft goal allowed by Budaj, but after that he was extremely solid the rest of the evening.
I believe in Peter Budaj
by Jibblescribbits on Oct 21, 2008 12:45 PM MDT reply actions
Agreed
He was pretty solid after the softie. But it was a pretty putrid goal. I hope he is able to put together a complete game here soon. I think he is getting closer. I also think, based on what we’ve seen from Raycroft, that Budaj is more likely to put it all together this season. Not that either one is elite by any means, but if Budaj can just be solid the team could be pretty good. That, and getting that horrendous PK under control. Anyone notice how no-nonsense the Kings approach was? And how it worked? Please, for the love of Roy, Avs, take fricken notes.
MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.
by Bob in Boulder on Oct 21, 2008 12:55 PM MDT up reply actions
PK is terrible, and despite our moaning and groaning about he PP it is one of the better PPs in the league (surprisingly it was 6th, now 10th). Unfortunately Sakic was back on the point last night.
Budaj was better, especially on the screwed PP that gave LA and 4-3 and then a 5-3. Then again in the third period when the Avs looked like Q had made a re-appearance behind the bench.
Now and then we had the hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be PIRATES.
-Mark Twain-
Budaj IS the answer in net!
Contrary to what most people think in here, I think that this one goal win was more impressive than had he won the game 5-1. Mostly because it was the tough 1 goal games that he had lost previously lost.
And don’t kid yourselves, like the “wise” Peter McNabb said last night, “This team is a couple bounces away from being 5-1-0”.
"I can't hear Jeremy because I have my 2 Stanley Cup rings plugging my ears!" -Patrick Roy
I trust Peter McNab because he once beat a Rangers fan with his own shoe.
Go Avs! Let's get some goals!
I wonder if
he was lavishing unwarranted praise on the fan while beating him?
MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.
by Bob in Boulder on Oct 21, 2008 3:35 PM MDT up reply actions
Commentary
Look how well McNab climbs the boards. That McNab may be the best at going over the boards to beat up rangers fans.
And then you got Mad Milbury, and I don’t think you’ll find a better crowd brawler than those two.
Mike Haynes: Certainly not in this day and age
I’ll tell you what. Those Rangers fans can be rowdy and rude. But the absolutely LOVE their team, and you just can’t knock a fanbase like that.
I believe in Peter Budaj
by Jibblescribbits on Oct 21, 2008 4:51 PM MDT up reply actions
My favourite argument
about Boots (i’m sorry Budaj, he hasn’t earned a nickname yet, right Mc George.) being useless is this one…
the guy is not good. His stick handling is horrible
First off, he’s a goalie his stickhandling doesn’t have to be great, but do you know another goalie who’s stickhandling sucked and almost lost them games and a Stanley cup. His name was Patrick Roy and if i remember correctly he’llgo down as one of the best goaltenders of all time. The best IMO.
"To have arrived on this Earth as a product of a biological accident, only to depart through human arrogance, would be the ultimate irony"
R. Leakey, Origins; 1977
"Two roads divurged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"
R. Frost
So sorry sir. I’ll use random numbers and words from now on.
"To have arrived on this Earth as a product of a biological accident, only to depart through human arrogance, would be the ultimate irony"
R. Leakey, Origins; 1977
"Two roads divurged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"
R. Frost
Thus the question: If 82.5% of the population doesn’t have it, why then do the call it COMMON sense?
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 23, 2008 2:54 PM MDT up reply actions
Anyone can make up stats. Fouvty% of all people know that.
"To have arrived on this Earth as a product of a biological accident, only to depart through human arrogance, would be the ultimate irony"
R. Leakey, Origins; 1977
"Two roads divurged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"
R. Frost
I think thats the quote
from the SImpsons episode where Homer starts a vigilante group to catch the cat burglar and appears on dateline. I always had an argument with a mate at school about, he said its 40% and i said Homer says fouvty.
"To have arrived on this Earth as a product of a biological accident, only to depart through human arrogance, would be the ultimate irony"
R. Leakey, Origins; 1977
"Two roads divurged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"
R. Frost
Another great quote
Even if I don’t have a lot of confidence with Budaj, I hope he proves me wrong. I don’t think he can be a Roy but I hope he gets a lot better.
For the fucking love of Roy, stop comparing every Avs goalie to Patrick Roy. NO-one but a select few will ever compare to him and it makes it hard for any goalie in Colorado. They say that Toronto and Montreal are the worst places for a goalie to play because of the media, well you can add Colorado to that list since everyone is compared to St. Patty
"To have arrived on this Earth as a product of a biological accident, only to depart through human arrogance, would be the ultimate irony"
R. Leakey, Origins; 1977
"Two roads divurged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"
R. Frost
It’s pretty infuriating just reading quotes to that effect. Seriously, I know I’d buckle under the pressure if every day I showed up to work and my boss told me, “well, you’ll never be Jack Welch, but we’re hoping you become a solid manager.” And then the second I screwed up once I got fired.
Go Avs! Let's get some goals!
Never
Joe you’ll never be Mitch McDeere, ya bum
I believe in Peter Budaj
by Jibblescribbits on Oct 23, 2008 8:24 AM MDT up reply actions
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