A Pre-emptive Call For Fan Sanity
by Joe Dunman on Sep 22, 2008 11:31 AM MDT
in NHL News
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PrintThis is just a quick call to action for all Avalanche fans. Please remember these important points as we near the 2008-09 season:
1. Peter Budaj will have a giant magnifying glass hovering over him as long as he is the starting goalie. You will be tempted to painstakingly analyze every tiny detail of his play, to pick apart every goal given up. Remember that goalies give up goals. Lots of them, actually. Even the best ones give up lots of goals. Nobody should expect Peter Budaj to finish the year with 50 shutouts. Even 10 would be a big deal. Giving up goals (weak or otherwise) is something goalies do, and he will, too. It's not the end of the world.
2. The only thing that matters is winning. If Peter Budaj starts 50 games, it doesn't matter at all what his goals against average is or what his save percentage is at the end of the year. What matters is the number in the W column. Granted, a lousy GAA and SV% will make the rest of the team have to work harder, but you know what I mean. As long as Budaj is consistently winning games, the rest takes a back seat, at least as far as "reasons for hyperventilating" go.
3. There is a possibility with all goaltenders, from Roberto Luongo to Andrew Raycroft, that they will immediately start sucking for no reason at all. It has happened to many award-winning goalies and it will happen to others. Peter Budaj has a record of success to this point, but nothing is guaranteed. While we understand that he is as likely to melt down as he is to excel, remember that the first few games of the year (especially in the pre-season) should not be burdened with grand pronouncements or verdicts as to the goalie's likelihood of success. Let's see how this plays out, and hold our suicide notes at least until November.
Now, everybody go get their blood pressure prescriptions refilled and meet me back here with pacemakers fully installed.
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Melt Down
We also have to understand that the team itself has been know to play lazy many nights or at least through the first period. Lazy play has been an issue ever since Roy was in goal. In fact, I’m not sure the team has fully grasped the fact that Roy is no longer there to save their asses. My point being, the team itself has a tendency to hang goaltenders out to dry. That being said, I think the players back Budaj 100% and will make huge efforts to help him out. I remember thinking every time Threeorfour replaced Budaj during a game, it was a punishment for the guys on the ice because then they better play their asses off to keep the puck out of their end or else.
Being lazy is a Colorado attitude. All sports teams here suffer from some form of it as do all the residents. Enjoy it, but not too much.
2 down, 1 to go... Gettin' the band back together 08-09
You’d think, since most of Colorado’s professional athletes don’t actually hail from the state, that the alleged state-wide attitude of laziness wouldn’t afflict them. But it’s not unreasonable to say that the Broncos, Avs, Nuggets and Rockies haven’t been guilty of some serious lazy play in their histories. I suppose every team gets lazy at times, but the four from Colorado seem especially bad, especially in the past five or six years.
But that’s just an outsider’s perspective.
Go Avs! Let's get some goals!
You’d think, since most of Colorado’s professional athletes don’t actually hail from the state, that the alleged state-wide attitude of laziness wouldn’t afflict them.
You would think, yes. I swear there is something in the water here or the air. Dunno why, it just is.
2 down, 1 to go... Gettin' the band back together 08-09
I read somewhere
Colorado has the most micro-brews per capita of any state. Screw work! I’m getting drunk!
InYoFace Hasek! InYoFace
Also, Colorado is heavy on activist evangelicals. But we weren’t talking about intellectual laziness….BOO YAH!!!
Go Avs! Let's get some goals!
As someone who lived in the Springs area for 5 years...
…It’s full of looney’s. Straight up crazy coming from the Springs. Too bad because it is a beautiful place.
"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)
by Jibblescribbits on Sep 22, 2008 6:37 PM MDT up reply actions
Hey
My rage, anger, fear, anxiety is usually sarcastic for comedic relief. Its just hockey.
Besides, this year is going to be a season long celebration for me never having to see Hasek play in the nhl ever again.
InYoFace Hasek! InYoFace
Wouldn't bank on that
He’s already retired about 5 times before. The guy has more lame comebacks than a 3rd grade arguent.
"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
Hasek’s retired more times than Favre and Rocky Balboa.
(sorry had to do it)
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 Sep 23, 2008 3:34 PM MDT up reply actions
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