Game 20 Preview: Canucks at Avalanche

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 14, 2009 8:24 AM MST in Game Previews Comment 59 comments


Vancouver Canucks	8 MT / 10 ET / 3 GMT	Colorado Avalanche
10-10-0	November 14th, 2009	12-4-3
20 pts	Pepsi Center	27 pts
t-9th in West	Denver, CO	2nd in West

The Avalanche host the Vancouver Canucks tonight, a game Joe Sacco has called "must win" (geez, he throws that phrase around like our own Joe does*). But this game is really about one thing: the jerseys. The Avs wear their new ~~revenue source~~ third jerseys tonight for the first time. We've all seen them by now, but this will be our first chance to see them on the ice. For those of us who can stay up that late, that is. (For the record, no recap from me tonight)

Craig Anderson will start for the Avs. Tom Preissing could make his season debut (I think he will) and Milan Hejduk could return as well (bank on that). Ruslan Salei took part in a full practice Friday, so he's close to returning too - but I don't think we'll see him yet. John-Michael Liles and TJ Galiardi are getting closer, but they won't play. Philippe Dupuis has been returned to Lake Erie.

For the Canucks, Roberto Luongo is back and he's the presumed starter tonight (thank goodness, as I don't think I could stomach getting shut out by Andrew Raycroft again). One of the Sedins is out (no, not that one, the other one. Or is it? I can't tell). The Canucks still have a very potent powerplay but are so-so at even strength. They have 18 goals at 5 on 4 and 28 at 5 on 5. The Avs have 11 PP goals and 36 5 on 5.

I am very excited today as we're taking the kids to Boston to see Star Wars in Concert. I've heard nothing but raves about this, and my kids are stoked (even my daughter who is under the weather). Why am I mentioning this? I actually do have a reason. My wife and I debated going to this for quite some time, as tickets were something like $60 each. To me, that was a lot of money for a concert. While we ultimately relented (and I'm glad we did), it occured to me later that that's considerably less than I would pay for one hockey game. To see the Bruins, only a handful of shitty seats are under $60. Where we're sitting for Star Wars (Loge 9), B's tickets cost $130 (plus fees) to see the crap teams and $150 to see the good teams. To me, that is an insane amount of money to spend on one hockey game. Playoff game? Sure. Beyond that, I can't justify spending $300 for tickets alone for my wife and I to go to a game (nevermind the price for parking, food and street hookers). We've been to 2 hockey games in the last 5 years, and both were special occasions (once for my birthday and once as a Christmas present for my wife). I really don't mind spending all the wads of cash I rake in from this site (ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha), but $300 for a single hockey game? Not worth it. I know lots of you have weighed in on the reasons for the Avs' attendance woes. As of this 10am this morning, I could buy tickets for great seats next to the glass (sect 130, row 1) for tonight's game...at $216 a pop. To me, that's just simply too much. Call me when tickets are $20.

*[Geez, you make a mistake two years ago and they never let you hear the end of it. Tough crowd. -Joe]

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Surest bet of the night

Jibblescribbits will buy a $2 program at the Pepsi center to support Youth Hockey. Jibblewife will get annoyed and ask “What do you need another program for? You get one every game and they just pile up at the house”

The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 14, 2009 8:32 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

No game for me tonight

Matthew Good concert tonight, and if i play my cards right (ie ~~get her really drunk~~ be charming self) maybe a round o’ mini golf)

i want to come home and see 1000 + again ladies and gents!

Make Me A Milkshake, Malkin! - Mike Lange

by horbayj on Nov 14, 2009 8:43 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Us “faithful” fans will try to uphold your standards.

Good luck, but the problem with drunk mini golf is that it’s much harder to put straight.

The 2009-10 Avalanche: It's like having a banana split while all the other kids are getting an ice cream cone.

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Nov 14, 2009 8:51 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

or putt

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 14, 2009 8:59 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

i am the john daly of mini golf, i can drink half a 26 and a six pack and still get it in the cup every time ;)

Make Me A Milkshake, Malkin! - Mike Lange

by horbayj on Nov 14, 2009 9:34 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

that being said…im not a fat ass. nor do i have a short temper

Make Me A Milkshake, Malkin! - Mike Lange

by horbayj on Nov 14, 2009 9:35 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Well I will be missing the game as well, because 2 weeks after the fact, the wife and I are getting rid of the kids and celebrating my turning 30 in the right way. The good news is…for those that miss the game and don’t have a DVR…NHL Network is replaying it tomorrow afternoon.

As for Mini-golf, I haven’t skipped a game for it yet, but I have a mini-golf game on my PS2 that I can no longer beat my 3-year-old at

by chiavsfan on Nov 14, 2009 9:45 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

but do you have that “unique” fashion sense?

2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - We really suck, it's just that we didn't get the memo.

by Hopfenkopf on Nov 14, 2009 11:32 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

some would say..i do own one of those elmur fudd hunting caps

Make Me A Milkshake, Malkin! - Mike Lange

by horbayj on Nov 14, 2009 3:40 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

bomber hats, as I call them

soooo comfy

by wflan on Nov 14, 2009 7:18 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

too much beer makes it harder to putt at all, my friend.

“Hey, just so you know: it’s not that common, it doesn’t happen to every guy, and it is a big deal!” -Rachel

just sayin…

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 14, 2009 10:41 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Rachel is wise. I for example become a freaking all star.

Hopefully #9 is not ten less than #19

by InYoFace on Nov 14, 2009 10:42 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I think about baseball. It bores me to tears.

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 14, 2009 10:43 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

it’s only 10:30 am here and i just about spit my coffee across the room reading this tread.

MHH

How do i love thee? Let me count the ways

p.s. I understand the mini golf ref but how did it come about?

by Ben from Portland on Nov 14, 2009 11:38 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

I never said that!! I know, I know another Rachel.

This is a hockey board — You fuck with our Hejduk, and the spirit of Lappy is coming. =)-Jibbles

by gl avfan on Nov 14, 2009 12:18 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I won’t be here either. I’m probably playing COD MW 2.

by sandiegee on Nov 14, 2009 1:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Thats my likely excuse as well.

The Savage has spoken. Let it be done

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"
R. Frost

by Savage33 on Nov 14, 2009 5:40 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Make Me A Milkshake, Malkin! - Mike Lange

by horbayj on Nov 14, 2009 10:18 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Im going to the game

In my season tix, one of the best deals in the Can. Section 350, row 6 (first row of that section). I’ll be with my 6 year-old daughter. Yes, at a late game. Does that make me a bad daddy, or a really good one?

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 14, 2009 10:42 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

im sure you’ll be seen as the most awesome dad around

Make Me A Milkshake, Malkin! - Mike Lange

by horbayj on Nov 14, 2009 10:46 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s a Saturday night, it’s not like she has school in the morning….

The 2009-10 Avalanche: It's like having a banana split while all the other kids are getting an ice cream cone.

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Nov 14, 2009 1:27 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I wanted to take my niece but she said it was too late of a game for her. Anyway, I’ll be in section 380 row something.

An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.

by texacogirl on Nov 14, 2009 1:48 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

332

Per usual

The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 14, 2009 5:26 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

jib

could you post a shot of the view from there? I need to find tickets for a game or two when I’m in town and don’t have upper level at the can experience…

by wflan on Nov 14, 2009 7:19 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

When I get homoe i’ll try and find one. Problem is I always use the zoom on my camera, which is pretty good.

The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 16, 2009 11:32 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Does that make me a ~~bad~~ good daddy, or ~~a really good~~ the greatest one?

fixed

by Dario on Nov 14, 2009 5:57 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 14, 2009 6:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I may or may not be here for the game. I may or may not be shooting a round of mini golf. I may or may not be going to the Genghis Kahn exibit at the museum. I am supposed to be at my parents house right now but woke up late. This whole day I am playing by ear.

Hopefully #9 is not ten less than #19

by InYoFace on Nov 14, 2009 10:50 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

We went to Ghengis Kahn last Monday. It was pretty good. I’ve been to better exibits there.

This is a hockey board — You fuck with our Hejduk, and the spirit of Lappy is coming. =)-Jibbles

by gl avfan on Nov 14, 2009 12:19 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll be here….ready to be an idiot as usual.

Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.

by InfamousM on Nov 14, 2009 10:52 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

we need someone to fill Funk’s shoes Infamous ;)

Make Me A Milkshake, Malkin! - Mike Lange

by horbayj on Nov 14, 2009 11:00 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

ooo, a big responsiblity

Thanks Joe...

by mfured20 on Nov 14, 2009 12:07 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Zing!

An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.

by texacogirl on Nov 14, 2009 1:48 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome quote from Nucks Misconduct-

"Milan Hejduk

I fucking hate that fucking fucker. Fuck him.

This Saturday morning rant brought to you by Wisers. For the worst damned headache you can possible imagine, drink Wisers until 1am the previous night, then wake up at 7:00am.

Wisers."

For reference, the entire point of the Nucks preview is Duke’s stellar record against them, 23 goals and 19 assists since the ’01 season. I hope he can keep this streak alive and inspire more wonderful hatred from competing teams down the line.

Thanks Joe...

by mfured20 on Nov 14, 2009 12:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Wolski has a pretty good record against them as well I do believe.

The 2009-10 Avalanche: It's like having a banana split while all the other kids are getting an ice cream cone.

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Nov 14, 2009 1:31 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope

Duchene doesn’t hit the post 3 times this game, and all go in. I want him to be a Canuck Killer like Hejduk. I want to see blood.

by toothandnailer777 on Nov 14, 2009 12:49 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Canuck killer….if you haven’t read the Nucks Misconduct preview, DO IT!!! It’s awesome. Makes me like them a little bit…only just a tiny little bit tho.

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 14, 2009 12:55 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

The picture is funny

The 2009-10 Avalanche: It's like having a banana split while all the other kids are getting an ice cream cone.

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Nov 14, 2009 1:33 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

especially considered it is soooooooo unlike our sweet little Duke.

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 14, 2009 1:35 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Preissing in

per Dater

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 14, 2009 1:41 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

good. i hope he’s Good Preissing, not Bad Preissing

by thedoctor on Nov 14, 2009 2:17 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I only expect energetic, yet rusty Preissing.

Thanks Joe...

by mfured20 on Nov 14, 2009 2:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

speaking of rusty…any work on salei?

Make Me A Milkshake, Malkin! - Mike Lange

by horbayj on Nov 14, 2009 2:55 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like a busted axle.

Wheels fell off.

Undercarriage fraked all to hell.

This is gonna take a while.

“Me – Tall Belorussian with a hard shot, who’s been hurt before, but is willing to try again. You – 2nd or 3rd round pick in the 2010 NHL draft just waiting to turn into a speedy, tough LW with a rocket wrister and a nose for the net. Let’s get together and make everyone happy! Call me – 1.800.TRADE.NOW. I’m waiting!”

2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - We really suck, it's just that we didn't get the memo.

by Hopfenkopf on Nov 14, 2009 3:07 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

i swear i saw that ad taped to a mailbox :P

Make Me A Milkshake, Malkin! - Mike Lange

by horbayj on Nov 14, 2009 3:45 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

This game is going to be fun because I’m going to be watching it on my computer with no sound. :(

GOD DAMN I wish I could get some tickets once in a while…

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Nov 14, 2009 4:09 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I got this game free… Avs Guild had a special. Buy Red Wings game get a game free. Ya gotta know where to look :P

An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.

by texacogirl on Nov 14, 2009 4:10 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

See now, I couldn’t afford the Red Wangs game either :P

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Nov 14, 2009 4:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

AFTER WATCHING THE GAME I REMOVE MY STATEMENT

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Nov 14, 2009 11:02 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I just want to tell you both good luck. We’re all counting on you.

"I intend to kick your ass today." - Denver Broncos legend Tom Jackson

by wtnelson on Nov 14, 2009 4:15 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Just got home from my high school’s state semi-final football game. We won 49-0 and will play next week for the State Title. Hopefully this will be a good start for my teams today.

The 2009-10 Avalanche: It's like having a banana split while all the other kids are getting an ice cream cone.

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Nov 14, 2009 4:37 PM MST reply actions 0 recs