Game 54: Coyotes 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
by Joe Dunman on Feb 5, 2008 7:13 AM MST
in NHL News
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photo courtesy of David Zalubowski/AP
I don't really have the enthusiasm or energy necessary to write an extended recap about this game. Between some lousy goals and some lousy non-calls by the refs, the Avs dropped a point to the Phoenix Coyotes in overtime, losing 4-3.
For the first time in a while, I think Coach Q is right, so I'll just let him do the talking for me. About the game-winning goal credited to former-Av Radim Vrbata (but actually scored by Shane Doan---the officials couldn't even get that right):
Colorado coach Joel Quenneville was steamed that anybody got credit for the goal at all. He said he saw the referee bring the whistle to his mouth, leading him to conclude the play was going to be blown dead.
"I disagree with the call. The intention's to blow the whistle, you don't blow the whistle because the puck went over the goal line," Quenneville said. "His intention was to blow the puck dead before the puck went in. Plus, the guy jumped on the goalie. Interference. Blow the whistle at that time of the game. It was a ridiculous non-call and I'm upset."
Dater is pretty pissed, too.
Despite the loss, TJ Hensick had another great night, scoring two goals (both on the PP), while Lappy and call-up Brad Richardson teamed for the other Colorado score. It's pretty clear that both Richardson and Hensick deserve to stick around when Paul Stastny comes back late this week, but there won't be room (Arnason isn't going anywhere) and one will have to go. I have a feeling we'll be saying goodbye to Richie again, unfortunately for him.
Things could be worse. The Avs got a point out of the fiasco, and Calgary lost to Edmonton, moving Colorado out of a tie with Dion's Phadouches and into second place in the Northwest, just two points behind Minnesota. The Avalanche are now fifth in the Western Conference playoff standings, tied in points with Anaheim.
The next game is Wednesday night on the road against the Sharks, and it will no doubt be a tough game for the Avs. The Sharks are a strong team and have considerably improved their home record since stinking up the HP Pavilion early in the season.
Stars of the Game:
- Shane Doan (0g, 2a)
- TJ Hensick (2g, 0a)
- Radim Vrbata (2g, 0a)
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Re: Game 54: Coyotes 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
Did you actually see the goal?
I'm sorry but no goalie would have gotten that. Now the critique of the rest of the team falling asleep is valid. Why is Svatos taking the draw after Arnason got thrown? Wolski should have been taking it. But why is that line still even out taking defensive zone draws that late in the game, we all know Arnason couldn't win a draw against a paper bag. Reinprecht destroyed Svatos and Hannan left his position to help out while Arnason was looking at the cute blonde in the first row...or something. Reinprecht's pass came across the ice to Vrbata (sliding into the void left by Hannan) for an open net goal. The whole play took about 2 seconds.
by Americanario on Feb 5, 2008 10:03 AM MST up reply actions
Yes, several times
Agree about Hannan and Arnason. Actually, wouldn't the forward normally jump out to take the point while the D-Man takes the guy lined up on the wing? If that is the case, then wtf were both of them doing, other than looking stupid? Great "Washington Generals moment" there guys. But it didn't look like Budaj even made an effort to get over, either because:
- He quit on the play, or
- He lost track of the puck.
Either case is also unacceptable.
by Bob in Boulder on Feb 5, 2008 3:02 PM MST up reply actions
travesty
I was there, so I'll deliver my usual "things the cameras might have missed" report.
- Our seats were incredible (literally right next to the penalty box, right side, 2nd row). I will never have seats that good ever again. I said hi to richie in the penalty box (wished him happy burfday -- no, i didn't know that off the top of my head, someone else told me). there's just no way to really grasp the speed and power of the game except down at the ice. I loved it.
- During the review Lappy saw the incredibly cute (and focused on the game) baby sitting right in front of us and came over to say hi. I'm not sure who was happier about it, Lappy or the baby.
- as for the actual game, Hlinka really struggled. Is there a stat for doing nothing with the puck in critical situations? no? lets make one. he led last night.
- Hensick was great last night, best player on the ice for the Avs. Hlinka shouldn't be centering the top line again.
- Liles and Finger were awful. Really awful. All night long they were a step slow, constantly pinned in their own end. I haven't looked, but they had to have been on for most of the opposing goals (check that, I looked, Finger was on for all their ES goals, Liles somehow missed one. -5 on that pairing.) I've never been firmer in my desire to trade Liles.
- Arnason is huge. Really, he's one of the larger guys on the Avs. He plays so tiny though, it's bizarre.
- I'm not exactly clear what happened on the last play, but something went wrong. Q had called for a change behind the play, and whoever it was didn't get over the boards, (it appeared to be Arny he stood up but didn't get on the ice) but I'm not sure. I need to watch the DVR of the game to figure out what happened. Regardless, calling a guy off as a 3 - 2 starts is inexcusable, and a player not jumping off when called to go is inexcusable.
- the whole team waited on the ice for over 5 minutes after the game was over in disbelief. They really missed Joey a few times when they needed to talk to the refs -- Lappy got their attention pretty effectively, but Bruno seemed to get ignored, particularly on the last 2 goals.
Missed calls by the officiating:
- missed a puck into the stands by Phx from right in front of us. We let the ref have it, during a commercial they conferred and they all ruefully smirked as they conversed. Avs bench missed it, they might have gotten a call if they'd been on top of it.
- Leopold got absolutely hauled down from behind. No call.
- Richie's breakaway should have been a PS. we scored on the PP and all, but Richie was totally clear.
- The faceoff goal. Ref kicked out Arnason for no reason, then dropped the puck before the Avs were done talking. That doesn't excuse the total breakdown of everyone on that play, but it never happens if the refs play it normally.
- the GW goal. Not only did they not blow the whistle in time, they allowed Doan to punch the puck in. go watch, Doan put his glove between Budaj's legs and hit it in...3 seconds after Budaj made the save. What? are you kidding?
All that said, best sporting event of my life, just by virtue of the seats. At least the game was entertaining, but the Avs deserved to win. sorry I missed you Rookie, didn't see your message.
Nice recap
Doc, did you find it hard to see action at the far end due to the penalty boxes being in the way? I usually do, that's why I prefer something high in the lower bowl or low in the club level. Still, glad you have a good time.
As for the tying goal, I don't think Boots slept on it, personally. I gave a longer critique in the game thread, but I think he DID try to make a play by trying to take away the pass into the slot. At the NHL level, he had to expect SOMEBODY would pick up Vrbata. The only one on the ice not culpible for that goal was whoever was on the right side of the faceoff dot for the Avs, IMO.
yes
it was hard to see the near side left. fortunately, almost nothing happened there.
everyone was culpable. Budaj didn't even make an effort. that was the most shocking part, really. That play may (and perhaps should) cost him more starts. His rebound control is really inconsistent.
He was sharp early, thank god. that game could have gotten away from us in the first.
Re: Sight
almost nothing happened there
I beg your pardon, I was on the left side. Sheesh what more do you want? ;-)
Killer seats, close to the ice make every game a blast. Even when we lose.
Actually, At the end of my row was some Garth Brooks gone bad, lit when he got there, obnoxious fan. Joe would have loved him. They kept showing him on the monitor but I don't know if he made it to TV. Mr. Fashion was wearing a stars n' stripes/flag cowboy shirt and cowboy hat. I don't mind a good heckler or loud fan, not at all. Just keep it clean, there's little kids around. I might cuss like a sailor myself, but I don't do it next to 6 yr olds. When I'd had enough, I yelled at him to shut up, etc. His reply, "Go to hell, this is an ADULT'S game!" With perfect timing, a massive guy behind me said, "Then what are you doing here? Sit your butt down BOY." ha. Shut him up for awhile.
As Doc said, there was a looong wait for the player and upset fans to realize it was over. After the Avs finally left the ice, the cowboy decided he was going to go down to the ice to "whip some ref ass". I was ready for the show. He thought better of it when the security guard shook his head at him. I was disappointed. Seeing him get his butt kicked the minute he touched that ice might have made me feel better about an absolutely frustrating end to the game.
Stories
Stories like this remind me why going to the game is ALWAYS better than watching it on TV
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 5, 2008 11:44 AM MST up reply actions
Wow.
Budaj didn't even make an effort. that was the most shocking part, really. That play may (and perhaps should) cost him more starts. His rebound control is really inconsistent.
Very astute.
He has definitely regressed since last season. Hell, I was one of the people most vocal in saying that the Avs had finally found their #1 last year. Apparently, Budaj didn't get that memo. It'll take the majority of Avs fans about another half a season to realize that, but they will.
Hopefully JoeTed comes back tomorrow night. I think that last night's performance and his very erratic and overall subpar play lately could cost him his job, period. The trade deadline is coming up, and if JoeTed comes back and looks like he did before he got hurt, it wouldn't surprise me to see Budaj in another uni come stretch time.
by Thomas @ Mile High Hockey on Feb 5, 2008 12:35 PM MST up reply actions
Don't get me wrong..
I still think Budaj is more consistent than Theodore, especially in the first period, and I also think long-term he's a better option than Theodore. He's just more stable mentally, and he costs less. Regression is a good term for what's happened though.
Short term though, he's definitely got to do some work with Hackett on his rebound control, and he definitely needs to never, ever give up on a shot no matter how bad it looks. A goalie that's given up on a player for their mistake is a player that will give up on that goalie for his mistakes.
and I do agree, it wouldn't surprise me nearly as much to see him gone this deadline or in the offseason. I could see sending him to the Rangers with Liles for Montoya.
I know...
...that I am the only one around Avs Nation who realizes that JoeTed is a better goalie than Budaj, so no, I didn't think you were singing JoeTed's praises. Yet.
I don't see how Budaj is any more stable mentally than JoeTed. I don't think either Budaj or JoeTed have any sort of mental stability issues. They both seem pretty well-adjusted for goaltenders. If there are mental stability issues, they certainly aren't to the degree of Roy and Aebischer. I have never seen a more mentally weak goalie than David Aebischer. Chris Osgood was the only one who was weaker, but he eventually matured a bit.
From 05/06-present, Budaj has definitely been more consistent. Since JoeTed has become the Avs' #1 though, there is no comparison. JoeTed has been remarkably consistent, which is why he took the #1 job in the first place. He was never a bad goalie, he was just inconsistent.
Honestly, I think JoeTed has shown the Avs something, and that's made Budaj expendable. I expect the Avs to make a run at retaining JoeTed, though I certainly hope that it comes at a discount. I'd love to see Montoya as the long-term option, especially if he's able to push JoeTed. And if he steals the job from JoeTed, well, awesome.
Budaj isn't the answer any more than Aebischer was.
JoeTed appears to be the answer right now, but if he slips back into the JoeTed we saw in 06-07, then he has to go.
Weiman, Penner and Wall are useless. They are just filling space until Sauer, Cann and Patterson are ready.
Bacashihua actually has NHL #1 potential. His problem is that he is as dumb as a doorknob. I don't worry about saying that, because I honestly don't think he can read. Seriously.
by Thomas @ Mile High Hockey on Feb 5, 2008 1:49 PM MST up reply actions
i never thought i'd say this
but I do want to see Theodore back in net. If he was to stay consistent, he deserves to be the #1. You're right, we've all been on him for his lack of consistency, and he's actually shown some. Not that he wasn't deserving of all the criticism, and I still think he has more to show before I jump on the bandwagon as you have. But he's getting there.
Not sure how I feel about re-signing Theodore. Maybe if it was a single year contract at a severe cut from where he's at now. He's shown a large propensity towards slacking when it's not a contract year.
Mental stability...
or the lack there of I don't blame on either goalie. Both guys have issues with confidence and it all leads back to the Quenville circus. Any goalie playing in his system is going to have mental issues of some kind.
These guy probably know when they are going to play sometime after we the fans do, and we all know how much information we get on a daily basis.
Budaj's
Budaj's lack of confidence can be blamed on Idiot. JoeTed's lack of confidence goes back a little further to Montreal. None of us know exactly why he lost his confidence. It had to have been something off-ice, but we may never know what it was.
by Thomas @ Mile High Hockey on Feb 5, 2008 3:12 PM MST up reply actions
Re: Budaj's
You know, I think from now on we should all just say nothing but good things about both goalies, regardless of how they play. Those poor guys are just this side of Britney Spears in mental health.
Maybe the good vibes will carry them through their Q-created dementia.
I'm cool with that.
I'd like Budaj and JoeTed to be Belfour and Hasek.
by Thomas @ Mile High Hockey on Feb 5, 2008 7:18 PM MST up reply actions
Well
Tyler Arnason is 5-11, 204 (or he was at the start of the season). He's not that big. He's kind of broad, but he's definitely not tall.
You'd think though, with such a large presence despite his actual size, that he would play "bigger."
Hey
Thanks, by the way, for this great comment. It's always great to read "from the game" commentary for us out-of-towners.
Speaking of which
I'll be at the game tomorrow
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 5, 2008 10:00 AM MST up reply actions
Well
Not all of us can afford fancy schmancy seats. You'll get my review from the nosebleeds.
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 5, 2008 10:27 AM MST up reply actions
Wayne Gretzky
Anyone else like how Wayne Bill Belicheck-ed out as soon as the last psuedo-goal was scored. (HA, get it, Bill Beli-"checked" out. Hilarious).
Ps. Sorry DD if you read this but it was to good to pass up.
ha, ha
I made a similar comment over at "In the Cheap Seats"
He Greztky knew something was fishy and he had his team on an early flight to Calgary. Damn who do we cheer for in that game tonight? If Phoenix wins they are tied with us (but have one more win), if the flames win they are 1pt up on us. Lets just hope who ever wins it is in regulation. Can we hope a meteor crashes into the Saddledome?
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