WCQ Game 5: Avalanche At Wild, Preview And Open Thread
by Joe Dunman on Apr 17, 2008 7:15 AM MDT
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With emotions from Game 4 still running high, I figured the game thread today couldn't be posted too soon.
We saw the Wild's true colors come out on Tuesday, with cheap shots and attempts to injure, multiple misconducts and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. We saw Stephane Veilleux take a flying leap into the back of Paul Stastny's head and more or less embarrass himself all night long with bush league behavior. In a typical show of inconsistency that has plagued them all year, the NHL's disciplinary overlords are apparently not going to punish Veilleux for his grossly illegal and dangerous attack. So be it.
Minnesota has become the State Of Denial as they continue to whine and cry about the Avalanche, specifically Ian Laperriere and Cody McLeod, accusing them of being just too darn annoying, not to mention cowards despite their repeated willingness to fight the perpetrators of crap penalties by the Wild. The Wild faithful are still crying over the "fight" between Lappy and Marian Gaborik at the end of the regular season, a fight started by Gaborik when Lappy had the audacity to yank his stick away. Oh the horror! Poor Gaborik is just so picked on!
A great example of the ridiculous crap pouring from the Wild media faucet is Mike Russo's blog entry from yesterday. He begins by saying:
Regardless, Veilleux was completely out of control last night and needs to tone down the act. He basically had to fight Ian Laperriere because he took a flying leap into Paul Stastny.
So Veilleux had to fight Lappy.
But just two paragraphs later, Russo calls Lappy a coward:
Funny though, Laperriere has never felt he’s had to "back it up" for using a star’s head as a punching bag in the regular-season finale. And I say that knowing Laperriere checks out this blog. Laperriere doesn’t feel he has to fight Boogaard, Fedoruk, Simon or even Voros. He chose Veilleux.
So Veilleux was out of control and clearly the worst-behaved Wild player on the ice, and he had to fight Lappy---but Lappy chose Veilleux instead of taking on one of the other cave men on the team? Which is it?
Score another win for professional journalism.
This from the reporters and fans of one of the dirtiest, roughest teams in the playoffs so far. Anaheim can't even compare this time around. Brian Burke's goon squad better step up their game if they want to maintain their reputation as the baddest boys in the league, because the Wild are giving them a run for their money.
After being proven painfully prescient in game 4, Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post has weighed in again on this series, with another anti-Wild screed that rivals anything I could let loose:
Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire disingenuously suggested there was nothing he could do to stop the classless display of anger and frustration by the Wild.
That's bunk.
Any coach should have the authority on his bench to tell his players to take a loss like men, go home with their dignity intact and use the scoreboard to seek vengeance in the next game.
But what do I know? I don't live in the state of hockey, where die-hard Minnesota fans are still sore after the Wild got beat up by Anaheim in the playoffs a year ago.
Indeed. It's one thing to take a previous playoff loss and turn it into a motivator for better, more skilled play (Pittsburgh over Ottawa), but to resort to bush league bullshit just because your feelings got hurt in the past is petty beyond belief. When Jacques Lemaire finally retires, I think Patrick Roy would fit right in as the new Wild head coach.
Tonight the Avs need to continue the play that led them to success in game 4. Start out fast and furious, put a ton of shots on goal, and keep out of trouble. Let Cody McLeod and Lappy continue whatever it is they've been doing to shake up the Wild and let the officials work out the details. Keep Forsberg out of trouble and get the puck to Paul Stastny---he's due for a goal or four at this point. And put Wojtek "FUHQ" Wolski on all four lines, because that kid is money.
I'll update this post throughout the day as news, lineup changes or whatever develops.
UPDATE: Yeah, it's early. Bruce Ciskie continues to prove that he is a joke, and the Fanhouse is weaker for having him on board. The truth is any team in the league would kill to have Ian Laperriere in their lineup, and the more you whine about him, the more clear it is that he's doing his job better than anybody else could.
UPDATE 2: If you hate your sanity, take some time to read the comments to Russo's blog post. It's fun to see Wild fans complain about pests being pests when their team is stocked full of pests and enforcers. Boo f'ing hoo. You'd think they'd already lost the series by the way they're carrying on.
UPDATE 3: Unless the city of Toronto is now in the Pacific time zone, it does not appear that the NHL will be suspending Stephane Veilleux for his blatantly illegal, airborne boarding of Paul Stastny in game 4. I would love to be wrong about this, but with it now almost 5:00 PM Eastern time, the chances of an announcement seem slim.
The game starts at 7:00 PM Mountain time, 9:00 PM Eastern and will air on TSN and Altitude. Let's get the ball rolling early and take this game thread(s) to 500 comments. We can't let Dater's Haters show us up in quantity of posts.
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I added
Wolski's new nickname. Don't wanna step on any toes though, so take it out if you want. I'm trying to go for a record number of meme's on a hockey blog in one season...
Oh man
Yeah, it's fine, as long as we're sure that "FUHQ" is the version we want to go with instead of "FAHQ" like in Dazed and Confused.
Now, as for memes, let's run down the list for the uninitiated:
"Skrastins Not Withstanding"
"Phadouche"
"Power Play Kittens"
"Joe Sakic Is A Detriment To The Team"
"Wojtek 'Clever Nickname' Wolski"
Anything I miss?
Meme's
Did "Sharp decline portion of his career" or "terrible captain/leader" ever catch on officially for Super Joe?
Does the Leoprone Debates '08 factor in? Because if so, Son of Stastny should too.
Since he adopted the nickname officially, does he-who-shall-not-be-named "__the Enforcer" tag count? That's kinda old-school for us, considering the carry-over from ITCS and DLS.
Re: Memes
Yeah, I definitely forgot "Leoprone."
As for the other sarcastic titles for Super Joe, I think "detriment to the team" has been the most common one to appear here.
And yeah, "Son Of Stastny" counts.
I think
that the first 10-15 minutes of this game are going to be tough on the Avs. I think the Wild will be fired up and that Excel crowd is going to be l-o-u-d.
It would not shock me to see the Wild score a couple of early goals.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Apr 17, 2008 8:32 AM MDT reply actions
I have the same
worries. While the Avs have been resiliant and come back from deficits in the series, the crowd will make it REALLY difficult tonight.
Re: I have the same
I doubt it. The crowd will be loud, but they were loud in the first two games and the Avs never let it get to them.
The only thing I'm worried about are the officials. I think they're more afraid of the Xcel crowd than the Avs ever will be.
Re: Early goals...
If by early you mean before the 3rd period?
by Jibblescribbits on Apr 17, 2008 9:08 AM MDT up reply actions
Yep
I feel the same way. It's going to be highly energized in the first 10 minutes.
I've got news for all the Leoprone fans from the last game. Leo got his perfect game. Very little five on five pressure with lots of PP time. Q also got last change to match Leopold against the lines he wanted. This is the game where we will know how much we miss Finger, if at all. Finger has gone from one of the leading TOI players to benched. I hope Leo does another fantastic job but his point of demarcation is 5v5 in his own zone. He's going to have some ice time against Gaborik and Co. as well because of the changes. He's not going to have another game with 22 minutes of powerplay time. The key to this series is still Foote and Co. shutting down Demitra, Gaborik and Rolston as much as possible. And that's my GMC key to the game!
F--- That
Good point, I bet that arena will be rockin'; however, if that garbage from the last game doesn't have the Avs in a mood to jump on Minny early and put a boot on their neck in this series, I'm not sure what to think. If anything a hostile crowd should fire them up even more.
I'm with you
The Avs came out of the last game smelling like roses. They scored 5 goals and let the Wild embarrass themselves from there.
If any team will be buzzing tonight, it should be the Avs, who know they can soundly defeat the Wild and shake them off their game.
The Wild have shame to play through, and shame isn't the motivator my father always told me it was.
then you go free
You go to the box and feel shame..... then you go free.
dude
i fail to understand why the Wild continue to obsess about the extremely minor Gaborik / Lappy skirmish from game 82. Russo, I have news for you: that was A) started by Gaborik hitting Lappy in the face B) not a big deal at all. Lappy didn't even take his gloves off. It wasn't like he tried to, you know, injure him. But the Wild would know nothing about that, I'm sure.
I really, really want the Avs to win this now. The Wild simply don't deserve to after mailing it in last night and gooning it up.
Re: dude
If the Avs screw this up I'll be mad at them for a while. We know they can win big if they want. Now they just have to do it two more times.
What is more gutless?
- Veilleux's hit on Stastny?
- The ref only giving him a 2-minute minor?
- The league failing to suspend the asshole?
by Bob in Boulder on Apr 17, 2008 10:14 AM MDT reply actions
if there's a suspension
it has yet to be announced -- see today's DP
"NHL spokesman Frank Brown said that if the league decides to suspend Veilleux, an announcement wouldn't come until today."
So there is still hope
good. If justice is served, the ahole won't see the ice again until next fall.
by Bob in Boulder on Apr 17, 2008 10:26 AM MDT up reply actions
lets not get carried away
he was out of control, but he's not exactly a repeat offender. I'd be fine with 1 game.
Agree about the repeat offender part, but
definite intent to injure, therefore should be a minimum of 3 games, in my book. He left his feet, hit Stastny clearly from behind, and hit him into the boards. Again, players should not have to be actually injured for suspensions to take place. Stastny is extremely lucky he wasn't seriously hurt on that play. The league needs to take out the trash, and Veilleux was complete garbage the other night.
by Bob in Boulder on Apr 17, 2008 10:45 AM MDT up reply actions
Respect
I have a ton of respect for SoS to get up after that hit.
I remember playing hockey and getting hit into the boards from behind, I got up almost right away, like SoS, and went straight to the bench to rest. My coach said I should stay down and feign injury in those events so to get a harder penalty.
I'm not the kind of player to feign injury to get a call, and it seems SoS isn't either. Hockey isn't soccer.
Grrr....
Hockey isn't soccer.
grrrr
by Jibblescribbits on Apr 17, 2008 12:30 PM MDT up reply actions
Re: Grrr...
Hey, that's just one more to add to our list of sports cliches!
Soccer = diving girly-men.
Except
The best player in the world right now is a diving-girly man. I fucking hate Christiano Ronaldo.
by Jibblescribbits on Apr 17, 2008 12:46 PM MDT up reply actions
It's true
"grrr" all you want, but soccer players are the biggest bunch of pussies on the planet, and hockey players are tougher than anyone else. And I say that as a huge soccer fan, but someone who's fed up with all the diving and general all-around wimpiness. Martin Skoula, if he played professional soccer, would be the toughest soccer player in the world, that's how wimpy they are.
This is the game that decides everything, and the winner wins the series. Game 4 was a slam dunk for the Avs, so I'm not getting carried away with the rout. Minnesota's defense is the key, and our forwards need to punish them every chance they get. Game 3 was as gutless as it gets for the Avs, I'm really interested to see how they come out tonight.
by Dan Winkler on Apr 17, 2008 3:51 PM MDT up reply actions
Steady on!
I will accept that Cristiano Ronaldo is a diving gurly-man. Good grief, the man complained when he got knocked in the face that it was spoiling his looks for a while. And I will accept that many of the idiots in the professional game at the minute are also big girly-diving pansies.
However, and this is a big however, the real game of football is not a soft game. I hate the present culture of diving, and it is ruining a truly beautiful game. It deeply, deeply saddens me every time a player rolls around on the floor after having had the ball taken off him. If you really break your leg, you stay still. It hurts. You don't roll on it. By doing so, you look like a wanker, and you damage the game.
You can say I am stuck in the past, but it did used to be better. Before they made you go off and change your shirt if you got blood on it. And at the lower levels, it is more traditional and less clogged up with pansies. Sorry for the rant, but football means a lot to me.
Would love to be here for the game, but I will be sleeping... :(
The blood rule
is in most sports nowadays, i know its in Australian Rules Football buts it's more out of concern for players getting HIV/Aids than it is for being pansies
yeh..
it is out of concern for blood infections, I just like to whine.
Terry Butcher never seemed to care.
Sorry
"grrr" all you want, but soccer players are the biggest bunch of pussies on the planet, and hockey players are tougher than anyone else. And I say that as a huge soccer fan, but someone who's fed up with all the diving and general all-around wimpiness. Martin Skoula, if he played professional soccer, would be the toughest soccer player in the world, that's how wimpy they are.
But you're flat-out wrong.Yeah the diving sucks, and really sucks bad, but diving is more the exception than the rule, (unless you play for Portugal or Italy. Then it is the rule. (sorry Luis) )
No doubt hockey players are tough, and I love hockey so it's not going to be a soccer vs hockey debate, they're different sports and hockey is definitely tougher.
But most soccer players aren't whiny, candy-assed pussies either. Soccer is a contact sport, especially at a very high level, and soccer players take their fair share of physical abuse (trust me I am normally the one dishing it out on the soccer field).
For every Christiano Ronaldo whiny ass pussy there are 3-4 Wayne Rooney or Didier Drogbas who are freaking monsters, don't dive, play strong on their feet and are physical. Especially on the back line you have to be tough or you would be completely useless at defense.
Sorry that's a pet peeve of mine. A select few soccer players are pussies, but soccer is a tough sport to play, and takes tough athletes for most positions.
by Jibblescribbits on Apr 17, 2008 4:12 PM MDT up reply actions
I despise Italian soccer players
just because one of their pansies cost my country, Australia, a chance at the world cup with his clear dive in the box getting called a penalty in injury time of the semi-finals i think it was of the 2007 world cup. I'm not a soccer fan but that killed any respect i had for soccer players.
Nah
Good get on the Butcher pic, I couldn't be bothered to find it, but it's a classic. And I know Brian McBride's always going around getting his head broken. And yeah, there are the collisions, no doubt about it. But soccer players, from that little weenie Ronaldo to that beast Drogba, dive like crazy. There's no sportsmanship there, no honor, they're just all about looking for the PK or the free kick or trying to get their opponent carded. It's disgusting. And it's not just the continental Euros as opposed to the gritty Brits - I saw Steve Gerard dive in a friendly against fucking Hungary, for god's sake.
Worse than diving, though, are the "traumatic" injuries they suffer and their amazingly quick recoveries. Guy flops, clutches his face, rolls around a few time, trainer and stretcher come out, he's taken off, then he's ready to come back on and screaming bloody murder because the ref doesn't let him back on the second the game resumes. Hockey players don't do that, unless you're Matthew Barnaby.
I know it's an incredibly demanding game, and the players have amazing athletic and technical skill, no doubt about it. But at the pro level it's such a culture of overall pussiness that it's killing my love for the game.
by Dan Winkler on Apr 18, 2008 12:25 PM MDT up reply actions
Well...
Just to keep this hijack going, I'd like to point out there is some honour among the divers of the highest levels of football.
Kevin Kilbane, who is by no means the greatest footballer even in his own team, is one such example. After being two-foot tackled, over the top of the ball by someone (the name and team evades me, but its English Premier league) got up straight away and tried to talk the ref out of red-carding the player which tackled him. Now the tackle was atrocious, had it been on his other, standing, leg then he would likely have broken something. I don't even like the guy (he used to play for my team and was dire), but that was pretty sporting of him.
And yes, even the gritty Brits are guilty of indulging in a dive. Stevie G being just one example. And I hate the play-acting, even if they have been fouled. It truly is sickening, and I agree, it kills my love for the game as well. Which is why, in my eyes, the best players are the ones that take the tackle like they should. You don't have to go down, but the referees certainly aren't helping.
If you get a chance, watch the Sunderland - Newcastle game on Sunday, 1.30pm kick off GMT (little early there I guess). Local match-up, should be a more old-school game. And make sure you support Sunderland ;)
The Tyne-Wear derby
Of course I'll be cheering for Sunderland - how on earth could I support a team with Alan Smith and Joey Barton in the lineup?
by Dan Winkler on Apr 18, 2008 8:26 PM MDT up reply actions
Re: if there's a suspension
Good eye, Doc, good eye.
Let's cross our fingers. Besides, it's not like the Wild have a more talented player to fill in for Veilleux if he gets booted.
Errr
They have Benoit Pouliot hangin around. After watching him for a few seasons in Houston, I'd say he's undoubtedly more talented. Kind of a pansy headcase, but more talented.
by SlamDunkTheFunk on Apr 17, 2008 12:39 PM MDT up reply actions
Re: Errr
I should have been more specific.
It's not like they Wild have a proven performer to fill in for Veilleux if he gets booted.
Touche
but at the same time, is Veilleux even proven himself? At least, outside of proving what a complete jackass he is.
by SlamDunkTheFunk on Apr 17, 2008 1:01 PM MDT up reply actions
It just occurred to me
with my last post that I sound awfully argumentative. Sorry about that. Reading all the trash on the various Wild blogs (I refuse to acknowledge those guys as 'journalists' when they're clearly disgracing their profession with blatant homerism and ignorance) has me a tad bit riled up.
About the only reasonable person I've seen on there was some guy who said something along the lines of "If the shoe was on the other foot, I could see all ofus being just as upset. I'm not saying I agree with all the goonery comments, but I can at least see the argument."
Even that pissed me off because the shoe IS on the other foot with people still pissed off about Lappy (and all their extremely lame nickanmes for him) having a sissy slapfest with Gaborik. THEY'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT???????????????
They should just go to google image, type in PETER FORSBERG, and see what the hell comes up. Of course, they'll only defend what they see with accusations of diving, completely disregarding the guy who must have accidentally tripped and fallen right on top of him with his gloves and stick in Forsberg's face.
Honestly, coming into this series, I didn't really mind Minnesota or their fans. They seemed like a genuinely enjoyable team to follow (remember, I'm a fan of their farm team, so I'm slightly biased) and I just wanted this series to be over, for better or worse, because of the awkward nature of rooting for Erik Reitz one night and then him possibly playing against my team in the playoffs the next night (fandom sidenote: I actually met him during his injury time. He was sitting in the stands and he's a pretty nice guy, especially considering what a complete prick he is on the ice).
I really lost a ton of respect for a lot of the players, but the fans somewhat surprised me. You'd expect all the whining from certain fanbases (ahem, the one formerly of Minnesota, comes to mind), but coming from "The State of Hockey", I expected class. They're rabid fans, very loud, very supportive, but honestly, it seems all of them have been completely incapable of accepting their team went Street Fighter On Ice last game (I'm so sick of "goon squad" and it's many spin-offs. Blaaahhhh). One of the comments even said something like "Did his Veilleux's feet even leave the ice? I don't remember." Uhm, are you KIDDING ME????????? What the HELL could that dude have possibly been watching????
Holy crap, this turned into sort of a mini-rant. My apologies for unleashing some anger through my keyboard. Jackasses just had to get me riled up.
by SlamDunkTheFunk on Apr 17, 2008 1:22 PM MDT up reply actions
Re: It just occurred to me
No, don't worry about it. I totally understand. This is the exact same stuff we saw from the Dallas fans when Ott went airborne into Leoprone.
If Cody McLeod left his feet to check anybody, even Derek Boogaard (which he'd have to do to reach that monster's head), we'd be calling for him to be sent back to Lake Erie after serving a suspension.
If Lappy was really as pitiful a player as he's been accused of being, we'd be happy to point it out, too. Why would we want to support lousy players who resort to cheap antics? Sure, Lappy runs his mouth, but the guy has fought so many people that there's hardly a single other player in the league that doesn't respect him to a certain extent. The fact that Boogaard is pissed that Lappy won't fight him (more like get pummeled by him) is more indicative of Boogaard's character than Lappy's.
When's the last time Georges Laraque demanded a guy half his size fight him?
This also reminds me of the Detroit fans who were so desperate to accuse Lappy of putting a dirty hit on Lidstrom, even though it was obvious he didn't.
Did any of us whine and bitch when Ryan Smyth got checked into the turnbuckle? No. It was a clean hit and we all recognized it immediately. We hurt for Smytty, but we didn't complain endlessly about the guy who hit him.
I don't understand how Colorado fans have such a bad reputation when we seem like the most even-handed people on the Internet. Everybody else loses their freakin' minds the second one of their players is checked or commits a penalty.
And no, I think this rant was just long enough.
AD predicts Wild win, plus
worries there may be an Av injury in his blog of doom.
You know, Forsberg did not play in the 3rd.
Wow
Way to be positive. I really wonder about this guy sometimes. He calls out the fans, and now he's a doomsday prophet. Maybe he does this to get the fans riled up?
I am being positive and really looking forward to a tough game. Still trying to decide how much to watch though. We didn't watch any of Game 4, except to check the score. But jinxes only have power if you believe in them...
So my day today
was to be spent moving and getting my new place nice and setup. Instead of unpacking books and electronics, I spent most of my day lurking Minnesota sites and the Denver Post and....just about anywhere else I could take in some more of the extremely different sides to this 'debate'. I had to admit, my favorite comment came in response to a Dater blog and said something like "You don't see us taking shots at Forsberg." My immediate reaction was maniacal laughter, then shock, then thoughts like "Has he ever seen an Avalanche playoff game before Game 4, when Forsberg sat the entire third period in order to avoid the headhunting that found its way to SoS?"
Also, this entire debate also lead me to getting out the commemorative pucks from the '96 Cup team. It was weird seeing Valeri Kamensky (my first favorite hockey player) again. I miss that dude. Speaking of nostalgia, I kind of laughed a little watching Greg de Vries score for the Preds last night. I used to loathe him when he played for us. Now, I can't help but miss the dude...kind of. At least Skoula doesn't make me miss him at all.
And yes, I have taken today's laziness as a chance to add in some comments I may not have otherwise, seeing as how I tend to only show up in game threads late in games. Maybe it's the stated goal of reaching 500 comments. Either way, MHH has helped stall my moving day greatly.
Thanks!
P.S. I'm not even being sarcastic. I hate moving.
by SlamDunkTheFunk on Apr 17, 2008 6:10 PM MDT reply actions
We're moving
next weekend. Hopefully Mike won't do the same thing. We hate moving too, but this is our very first house, so the excitement helps to temper the suckitude.
This is my 4th
living arrangement in the past 6 months. It's not good to be impulsive like me. Also, my moving is greatly hampered by shiny things and items evoking isntant memories.
I found some alien-esque glasses I got from Burger King when I was about 7-8 and started wearing them around. My girlfriend wasn't nearly as amused as I was. Also, I purposely have many copies of the Broncos Super Bowl victories on DVD and hide them in all kinds of places so when I have to move again, I always find a nice distraction. Sadly, I only have Game 7 of the 01 Finals on VHS, with no VHS player. I've spent the past few months scouring the depths of the internet searching for any Avs games from the Cup years on DVD, but have found nothing.
haha, I just realized how talkative I am tonight. This doesn't bode well for this thread. I'm about as off-topic as it gets at this point, so I'll lock it up ("you lock it up!").
by SlamDunkTheFunk on Apr 17, 2008 6:40 PM MDT up reply actions
I'm Undecided
The MSM and others have been saying that Minni won't continue to play they way they did in last game. I am not so sure. It seemed to me like the proverbial dam broke for the Wild in the last game. They showed their asses for the classless, dirty bastards they can be. Once the dam breaks, it's impossible to return the water to its origin.
On the other hand, the Avs played a great game. They showed their asses as well by playing like the force to be reckoned with we know they can be. They did not retaliate to the Wild goonery and simply responded as a team as necessary. Classy. It makes we real proud to be a fanatic about this team.
We have seen the inconsistency of this team all season. Last game, the team gelled and took the Wild down.
Here's hoping they keep it up.
I'm torn...
Do I watch tonight's game?
I really think I have to sit out....the First game I was at a track meet and the Avs won. Games 2 & 3 I was home and watched. Game 4 I was at a track meet and got home with 8:00 left in the game, didn't turn on the TV just previewed/joined in on the blog.
Tonight I am home, but I guess I shouldn't watch the game. Damn, see you guys later....
Gawd
The Wild really do look like crazy Christmas trees in those jerseys. We all know Christmas trees are meant to be cut down...
hmmmmmmm
i see the bullshit officiating continues......
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 7:17 PM MDT reply actions
Do I
Want to imagine the bruises that the Avs guys must have from blocking so many shots this series??
by HawkEye19 on Apr 17, 2008 7:24 PM MDT reply actions
oh
oh the humanity!!! have mercy on the little furballs!
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 7:26 PM MDT up reply actions
that was sweet
hannan just layed out bouchard, that was like hannan's first hit in the series though lol.
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 7:25 PM MDT reply actions
whoa
my feed is way delayed. I should stop being on the thread, so I don't notice.
by Rather Dashing on Apr 17, 2008 7:29 PM MDT up reply actions
WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO
BRUNO BRUNO yeahhhhhhahah~!
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 7:27 PM MDT reply actions
Hedjuk and Forsberg with the assists.
by andrew @ Mile High Hockey on Apr 17, 2008 7:28 PM MDT up reply actions
Damn - Avs back on the PK
Jones for slashing.
by andrew @ Mile High Hockey on Apr 17, 2008 7:29 PM MDT reply actions
And again - Forsberg with a hook
by andrew @ Mile High Hockey on Apr 17, 2008 7:40 PM MDT reply actions
well......
the first is over 1-1. it could easily be 3-1 for the wild though. we have been giving up way too many chances. 3 pps for the wild is not a good thing.
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 7:47 PM MDT reply actions
Hello All
Checking in. The baseball game I was at tonight went to extra innings so I'm a little late.
I see the Wild finally scored in the second period.
Ummmm....
First period, actually. With a minute or so left.
by HawkEye19 on Apr 17, 2008 8:08 PM MDT up reply actions
Proof
Everyone is still around and on here. I was starting to wonder if there was a web glitch for a bit.
by HawkEye19 on Apr 17, 2008 8:09 PM MDT up reply actions
Oldies
That's an interesting stat McNab just talked about. All the points leaders in this series (except for Koivu) are older veteran players.
Koivu and Wolski are the only whippersnappers that have really shined.
Re: Power play
There must be something amazing about Tyler Arnason that the rest of us just aren't seeing. He's on the PP again.
Re: Power play
Dead kitten.
The Avs couldn't even pass the puck that time. All they did was turn it over and chase the clearings.
Yeah
I don't think there is a better Scarlett pic than that one.
by HawkEye19 on Apr 17, 2008 8:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Lappy's hurt
Knee injury, apparently.
by andrew @ Mile High Hockey on Apr 17, 2008 8:20 PM MDT reply actions
Pure class
Lappy is down, apparently hurt, and the Wild crowd cheers - then boos him.
Absolutely the classiest fans in the league.
They weren't booing
just rooting for their favorite ice dancing thug.
by SlamDunkTheFunk on Apr 17, 2008 8:22 PM MDT up reply actions
well....
the funny thing is the hit wasn't even intentional, they just ran into each other.
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 8:23 PM MDT up reply actions
McNab
McNab just said he's been unbelievably impressed with the officials in this series.
Because they finally got one offsides call correct.
I knew
That someone was going to go there, even as I typed it. I just couldn't think of a better way to describe it.
by HawkEye19 on Apr 17, 2008 8:41 PM MDT up reply actions
Second Period
No score, unbelievably. Both teams had some chances, the Wild about three times more than the Avs.
The Avs got caught on a really long shift near the end of the frame, and they coughed up at least a dozen turnovers.
Time to regroup and get motivated. Whoever wins this game will likely win the series.
Why?.......
Why do the Wild have 32 shots in two periods??... And why do we only have 14?? And how is this game 1-1???
Seriously, this is a vintage heart-attack-inducing game. There's just too much scoring chances for the Wild, we HAVE to step up our defense!
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 8:44 PM MDT reply actions
Not Just the D
The offense is not doing much either. In fact, I have watched many a shift where we only had three guys in the zone crashing the net. Where the hell are the pinching D? The trailing finishers on a rebound? I think we have some guys taking the night off. Boys- you know who you are.
shit period
Someone, who shall remain nameless, has completely saved our bacon. I can't recall a worse stretch of standing around in their own zone watching the other team skate circles around them than that one.
Nice of the Wild crowd to cheer for Lappy's injury. Of course, I wouldn't mind seeing this happen to Veilleux, but he fricken deserves it.
Yes....
he who must not be named must remain nameless. Or I will hunt you down........
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 8:50 PM MDT up reply actions
Re: shit period
Now, now, let's not get out of hand here. I think a shallow flesh wound would be enough.
Third period
The third period has been the weakest for the Avs all series. It's time to break the chain.
Re: Third period
Coach Q has changed every line, and so far the Avs are looking strong. Lots of pressure in the Wild zone.
Time to Start Playing boys
Man, if this period is anything like the last one, we don't have a prayer.
Line Juggling
My first reaction was "what did Smyth do to be sentenced to Arnason?" Then that line has a great shift.
AHFDAHDFHAHHAHA
WOLSKI SAVES A KITTEN!!!
That might be the biggest, most important shot of his whole career. What an amazing shot
by Brad @ Mile High Hockey on Apr 17, 2008 9:02 PM MDT reply actions
WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOO
Now THAT'S what I'm fucking talking about!!!!!! YES! Wolski!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 9:02 PM MDT reply actions
all right
the leader of the kittens (who's very mad that kittens are dying left and right) approves of Wolski's heroic kitten-saving.
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 9:06 PM MDT up reply actions
WOJTEK! WOLSKI! WOJTEK! WOLSKI!
Fucking A.
by andrew @ Mile High Hockey on Apr 17, 2008 9:03 PM MDT reply actions
I can sit out longer...
but I'm running out of things to do. I could go take a shower....
by Americanario on Apr 17, 2008 9:06 PM MDT up reply actions
For God's sake
Joe could have posted a Scarlett Johansson pic for Americano here. Poor guy
by Jibblescribbits on Apr 17, 2008 9:42 PM MDT up reply actions
alsjgf;lksjhg;aojhges;oki
STAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 9:07 PM MDT reply actions
WHAT A SICK GOAL
Apologies for the caps guys, but I just came baqck from soccer game to watch TWO THIRD PERIOD PLAYOFF GO AHEAD GOALS and both are TOTAL beauties holy crap holy crap!
by Brad @ Mile High Hockey on Apr 17, 2008 9:07 PM MDT reply actions
Stastny!
His first ever.
To reiterate, fucking A.
by andrew @ Mile High Hockey on Apr 17, 2008 9:07 PM MDT reply actions
About time...
one more goal for the Avs and I can turn on the TV....maybe.
by Americanario on Apr 17, 2008 9:08 PM MDT up reply actions
At least
we won't boo him and cheer for his injury.
by Americanario on Apr 17, 2008 9:09 PM MDT up reply actions
It will be great
if we close out this series on the win side, but you don't want to see the Wild continue to lose guys. You want to win against their best team.
by Americanario on Apr 17, 2008 9:12 PM MDT up reply actions
Avs D
The Avalanche defense has stepped up their efforts big-time.
The boys are looking like a totally different team from the last period.
Less than eight minutes left.
FUHQ Wolski
only has 8:34 of ice time? Yet he has as many points in this series as Sakic now. WTF Q!
Gaaaaaahhh
Less than seven minutes left with a two-goal lead and I'm still nervous as hell.
Geez I hate the playoffs.
Thanks...I actually turned on the tv at 6:00
I actually turned on the tv at 6:00
by Americanario on Apr 17, 2008 9:21 PM MDT up reply actions
Still Missing Boods
If we made it out of the first round, could we see Boods for one game? I miss that kid.
Maybe third period
of a game if we have a decent lead. I dunno maybe give him a start?
by Americanario on Apr 17, 2008 9:25 PM MDT up reply actions
Noooooooo
How many times do you see a goalie who is carrying his team solely on his back replaced at any point during the playoffs??? (unless he's pulled).
But you guys need to sloooooow down, we haven't won this series yet.
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 9:33 PM MDT up reply actions
I agree
with not playing Boods, who i would love to see play. The thing that impresses me with Budaj and The other goalie for that matter is they don't seem to mind being the backup. Obviously they both want to start but they want to see the other guy play well because they have a good relationship. I can't really see either guy wanting a trade or not signing a new contract.
Re: I agree
You know, now that it's pretty certain Theodore will get an offer from the Avs in the summer, I almost think Budaj would be content to stay on as his backup. He's a capable one, definitely, and he and Theo seem like brothers. Especially if Boods is making decent money, I don't see why he'd prefer to be the number one on a terrible team like Los Angeles or Atlanta.
Avs Desserts
We did not deserve to win this game what-so-ever. We were out shot, out skated, and out D-ed. We did it, yay us, but we had a horrible showing. How can 20 minutes of hockey played in the third period win us the game? Well, it is the Wild...
Pin drop
Wow, the Xcel center sure got quiet.
That's the best thing we could ask for.
All those loud-mouthed baby fans in Minnesota silenced, at least for tonight.
Woo hoo!
not to mention
it was f'n Rolston with the goal.
by Americanario on Apr 17, 2008 9:32 PM MDT up reply actions
The best
case scenario for me.. since I picked up Rolston in my self-run fantasy pool (seriously him and Koivu have always just flat out killed the Avs.)
by Jibblescribbits on Apr 17, 2008 9:45 PM MDT up reply actions
HUGE WIN
Sure, the Avs didn't deserve it, and sure it was frustrating that it ended 3-2, but the Avs go up 3-2 in the series and head back home on Saturday.
Theodore was un-fucking-believable tonight.
I'll take the blame for the goal
I knew I was pushing it coming in to the thread. But I got greedy with 6:00 left and turned on the T.V.
by Americanario on Apr 17, 2008 9:33 PM MDT up reply actions
This was all
Theodore tonight. Damn, we could have lost 5 or 6 to 3 if not for him. And how sweet must it be for Stastny to get his first playoff goal in such a crucial game! Awesome!
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 9:34 PM MDT up reply actions
Nice to see the young ones score.
FUHQ Wolski with the game winner (his second goal in two games) and SOS with his first for the insurance.
by Americanario on Apr 17, 2008 9:37 PM MDT up reply actions
Correction
Stastny had the game-winner. Wolski's ended up being a tying goal since the Wild scored that late one.
Oops
ye are correct my fine feathered friend. Damn that Rolston.
by Americanario on Apr 17, 2008 9:44 PM MDT up reply actions
Re: Too Early
The odds are in the Avs' favor, definitely.
But let's not go crazy and jinx it. Let's just revel in the fact that the Wild can't win in less than seven games.
I wouldn't bet on it....
Avs have a bad habit of not putting teams away. Wild won't go quietly either. I think the Avs will win it if they play their game and stick to it. But it won't be easy and we have to go in with the intensity of it being a must win; as if we were facing elimination.
by Americanario on Apr 17, 2008 9:35 PM MDT up reply actions
oh. my. god.
i can't believe we pulled that out.
Theo, I apologize for everything. Sincerely apologize.
You must!
You must bow and kiss the sole of his pimp cane!!! lmao jk
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 9:37 PM MDT up reply actions
The best part about tonight......
The Wild scored 2 completely meaningless goals (yes, I'm counting the offsides one). If you like a crazy mix of probability and superstition (which I sure do) then that means the Wild should score 2 less goals the rest of the series. Awesome.
by Mike the Avs Fan on Apr 17, 2008 9:36 PM MDT reply actions
My wife thinks I'm insane...
for missing most of the game because of superstition. Then again We had only been married a short time when I wore a hole in her mother's carpet pacing during game seven against Jersey in 2001. Even with a good lead I was nervous most of the game.
by Americanario on Apr 17, 2008 9:39 PM MDT up reply actions
My wife
You and Mike have a lot in common. It took me a while to get used to his superstitions. We had only been together a short time in '01 too, and I witnessed him yelling at his own mother to stop watching because of Roy's screw up in Game 4.
I still find the whole thing a little strange, but I'll go along with it as it adds to the experience.
Once Again
The MSM appears to be the prognosticators of all prognosticators. This morning Dater and Cough (oops Clough) said SoS wouldbe the decider in this game. Came true.
Whew
I was worried when I wasn't posting like I did two nights ago. But I am wearing the same clothes and drinking the same beer. (And not shaving in all its glorious itchy beauty). 3-1 karma. It worked out.
Plus a certain goalie stole this game for us in the 2nd period.
And the homerism continues
Tonights 3 stars
#3 Burns (WTF)
#2 Rolston (OK, he did have a goal and assist in the losing effort)
#1 Theodore (and well deserved it is!)
Stastny probably should have been the #3 star with the GWG. But what do I know...I can't really expect to know who the starts are since I'm not a "Credentialed" journalist.
Justice
Will be complete Saturday night. The Avs will win and Veilleux will be the victim of the Iron Lotus.
ahhh haaa
I get it. I googled it.
Have you seen this. Its not bad. I think it is censored.
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