Game 17 Recap: Avalanche 4 - Blackhawks 3 (SO)
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 6, 2009 11:20 PM MST
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We've got a thing that's called radar love
We’ve got a line in the sky, radar love
-Golden Earring, Radar Love
Well, that was fun. It wasn't the most picture-perfect hockey game, but sometimes those "off" games are the most entertaining. And the Avs won, which always helps. Tack on another great game by Craig Anderson, someone finally making Tomas Kopecky pay for running roughshod over our goalie, some highlight reel goals from Radar O'Reilly and David Jones and, of course, a drunken thedoctor in the game thread and you have all the makings of a fun filled evening.
It started...poorly. The Avs were a tad flat to start the game. By the 10 minute mark, the Avalanche had 1 shot, while the Blackhawks had two goals. But anyone who's watched the Avalanche this year (except jcarti01) knows that you can't give up on this team. The Avs are now 6-2-2 when giving up the first goal. Going down early like that only seems to do one thing: it wakes them up.
By the end of the first, the Avs had started to pick up steam (Joe Sacco had already changed up the lines before the first intermission) and at the 18:38 mark Ryan O'Reilly banged home a rebound of his own shot to cut the lead to 2-1.
About 6 minutes into the 2nd period, the Avs had the Blackhawks right where they wanted them: on the powerplay. The Avs were still struggling to get shots on net, but the Blackhawks PP was the perfect remedy. First, David Jones took advantage of having Dustin Byfgulien on the point (yay, Quenneville!). He turned what would have been an opportunity for a clear into a breakaway as he blew around "Big Buf" before floating a backhand past Antti Niemi (a save Niemi certainly should have made). But wait, there was more. With time ticking down on the same inept powerplay, Ryan O'Reilly found himself all alone on a breakaway. Niemi made the first shot, but Radar collected the rebound and calmly potted it to give the Avs a 3-2 lead. Officially, the PP ended a second before O'Reilly scored, but that puppy was, for all intents and purposes, a shorthanded goal.
We can't overstate the job this kid has done this year. After tonight's game, O'Reilly has 14 points. That's tied for 2nd on the Avs in scoring and tied for first among rookies (with James van Riemsdyk). More amazing to me, though, is that ALL of his points have come at even strength. Only two players in the league have more points at even strength than O'Reilly does - Alex Ovechkin and Anze Kopitar. That is most impressive. And that's just his offense - it doesn't even factor in that he's our best penalty killer, our best faceoff man (not that that's saying much) or that his +13 +/- is 3rd best in the league and #1 among forwards. And, unlike that stiff Duchene, he's got not one, but TWO cool nicknames? ORLY? Yes, really.
At any rate, the goals by Jones and O'Reilly were two of the whopping 3 shots the Avalanche mustered in the 2nd period (including a two minute powerplay). That meant that the Blackhawks - deflated after blowing a lead in just under two minutes - had a chance to gather their senses and get back into the game. They put some pressure on the Avs through the rest of the period. Craig Anderson made some brilliant saves, but ultimately Andrew Ladd tied it up towards the end of the 2nd.
The third period was wild. The Avalanche activated their 5 healthy defensemen (Johnny Liles reinjured his hot pocket in the 1st and left the game) at almost every opportunity. That led to a lot of scoring chances for the Avs...and a few for the Blackhawks as well. Both goalies played an excellent 3rd period, though, and, after regulation ended, each held their ground in OT as well.
That brought us to the shootout, which was almost a carbon copy of the 9-round dazzler in Chicago earlier. This time, it took 8 rounds. 16 shots and only 3 made it in. One from Patrick Kane, one from Marek Svatos (the new Wolski in the shootout) and, finally, the winner from Chris Stewart. It was a big win. Maybe not the most deserving, but we'll take the points.
Oh, and thank you Adam Foote for FINALLY making Tomas Kopecky pay for constantly running into Craig Anderson for the 2nd straight game. Foote took advantage of some swallowed whistles in a late-game flurry to put a whole bunch of hurt on Kopecky, driving him into the ice in the corner and then slamming him a couple of times in the back and then repeating the drubbing later on the same shift in front of the net. He could have easily gotten a penalty for it, but Kopecky certainly had it coming to him.
- Hejduk - Stastny - Jones
- McLeod - Duchene - Svatos
- Wolski - O'Reilly - Stewart
- Koci - Dupuis - Hendricks
As I mentioned above, these all changed before the end of the 1st period, although the McLeod, Duchene and Svatos line was reunited in the 3rd (oh, joy). Hejduk also moved back to the right side after starting the game on the left side (something that started midway through Wednesday's game).
Johnny Hot Pocket was injured in the game. Tom Preissing was sent to Lake Erie on Thursday for a conditioning assignment, so it stands to reason that he'd be available if Lile's injury will cause him to miss time. Ryan Wilson is around as well, of course.
Meanwhile, Chris Durno was sent back to Lake Erie as well to make room for Matt Hendricks.
- Say what you want to about Brett Clark, but that mofo blocked 12 shots in the game. Twelve!
- O'Reilly led all players with 6 shots
- The Avs have outscored their opponents 21-13 in the 2nd period this year.
The Avs try to continue as the only unbeaten team at home when they face off agains the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.
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Oh Billy Mays we miss thee.
Radar is a walking Billy Mays add. He does so many things and he’s a really affordable price. Just a great bargain that anyone should be kicking themselves at passing over (yay, walk away in shame Detroit!)
+1 on the DET comment
they picked 32nd and were the last team who had a chance to steal O’Reilly away from us but they did not =)
"What do the Detroit Red Wings and the Titanic have in common?
They both look good until they hit the ice!"
Visit> avaholicsanonymousny.blogspot.com
by SportsDalaiLama on Nov 6, 2009 11:44 PM MST up reply actions
Awesome fun game
>> After all the fuss made about Weds attendance, attendance tonight was somewhere between 16k and 17k. Not a sellout, but a spirited and lively good crowd. Really nice to see.
>> O’Reilly is the fucking man. Jones too.
>> Blackhawks fans are 100x better than Red Wings fans. There were probably as many Hawks fans at the game as Wings fans a few weeks ago. But Hawks fans care about 1 thing: cheering their team. That’s it, they are there to support the ‘Hawks. I respect that. Wings fans are there to actively try to take over an arena. They care more about getting a "Let’s Go Red Wings" chant going than who actually wins or loses. Shameless
>> Worst fan of the night: Douche-bag and his friend, who’s obviously not a hockey fan but learning (probably his first game). They sit down 1/2 way though the 1st period. Remember it’s about 7:15-7:30 at night. This guy has a pair of designer sunglasses perched atop his head for the entire game, even though the game started 2 hours after sunset. He’s wearing a t-shirt jersey over a St. Patty’s Day green polo, and is too cool to cheer loudly, so he claps quietly when the Blackhawk’s score, and explains some rules to his friend (who actually starts to get into the Avs by the end of the game). The only thing surprising about his entire ensemble is that the collar isn’t popped.
Oh yeah, the t-shirt jersey, you’ll never guess whos name is on the back. HENRICK FUCKING ZETTERBERG! Seriously. This Red Wings fan is at an Avalanche-Blackhawks game cheering for the Blackhawks. Big douchebag, or biggest douchebag ever?
>> Saw some awesome sweaters out tonight, and some lame ones, but none better than the classic Prince of Whales Peter Stastny all-star Sweater. It even put my classic ’04 Sakic All star Sweater to shame. (Think it was the white one here, but could have been similar but not quite the same):
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Nov 6, 2009 11:49 PM MST reply actions
speaking of sweaters, I caught a glimpse of one of those weird powder blue designer jerseys in the stands again last night. I think I want to get one, just for the hell of it
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 7, 2009 6:30 AM MST up reply actions
The old one with the Navy shoulders?
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Nov 7, 2009 8:14 AM MST up reply actions
yep
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 7, 2009 8:57 AM MST up reply actions
Don’t know if they still sell them. Certainly not at the Pepsi Center
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Nov 7, 2009 9:15 AM MST up reply actions
By the way...
our future defencemen:
Kevin Shattenkirk -5 games: 1 goal 4 ast
Stefan Elliot -20 games: 8 goals 10 ast
These guys will be fun to watch in the future!
"What do the Detroit Red Wings and the Titanic have in common?
They both look good until they hit the ice!"
Visit> avaholicsanonymousny.blogspot.com
by SportsDalaiLama on Nov 6, 2009 11:54 PM MST reply actions
mfured20
What section were you in? I thought I saw you tonight.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Nov 7, 2009 12:23 AM MST reply actions
i bought a seat in 352 [back row], but my friends were in 350 so we just took over some empties in row 8 or so. I was running a similar track to the assholes in front of you, last night’s game was my friend’s first ever major sporting event. He had never made a college game, even. So I had to explain what was going on in terms of rules and subtleties, and he and his sis weren’t the best hockey fans, but we had a blast.
Thanks Joe...
So
I read through the entire game thread over at Second City Hockey. We are much, MUCH more entertaining people.
I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.
Tonight's game thread was bad ass
Where the hell were you playa?
I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.
by A.J. Haefele on Nov 7, 2009 12:32 AM MST up reply actions
Dude.
I love mini golf as much as the next guy, but come on. You missed the best thread of the year so far. It might end up being the best one we have all season. It was stellar.
I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.
by A.J. Haefele on Nov 7, 2009 12:36 AM MST up reply actions
dude…there was tail involved…and i love the avs as much as the next guy…downside..she’s a canucks fan..but i got to make fun of her
best all season…you tell me that when we’re still doing GDT’s in mid may my friend ;)
Make Me A Milkshake, Malkin! - Mike Lange
Tail involved?
Just lead with that instead of being like “LOL MINI GOLF”
I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.
by A.J. Haefele on Nov 7, 2009 12:55 AM MST up reply actions
I was at the game
So, is that a good excuse for a pass?
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Nov 7, 2009 12:42 AM MST up reply actions
Pfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff.
Ain’t no betta excuse, mah fren.
I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.
by A.J. Haefele on Nov 7, 2009 12:55 AM MST up reply actions
i think Jib should have been at his iphone/crackberry during intermission, just to let us know his game beer.
Make Me A Milkshake, Malkin! - Mike Lange
I haven’t bothered to learn how to tweet, or I’d do so from the game.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Nov 7, 2009 8:15 AM MST up reply actions
I don’t think that there are any game beer worthy fermentation products at the Can.
Not that I’ve found, at least.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - We really suck, it's just that we didn't get the memo.
You're not looking hard enough
I found this at the can:
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Nov 7, 2009 10:27 AM MST up reply actions
DO WANT.
I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.
by A.J. Haefele on Nov 7, 2009 10:32 AM MST up reply actions
Meh.
If in clear bottles absolutely not.
On tap, kewl.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - We really suck, it's just that we didn't get the memo.
Agree
Clear and green bottles suck, everyone should have brown bottles at this point. It’s science god damnit.
Nevertheless, I always have a “good beer” from the stand near my section and then switch to Coors for $‘s sake (certainly not for taste’s sake).
Last night: 2 below at home, Newcastle for the 1st period, and Coors for the 2nd and 3rd.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Nov 7, 2009 10:53 AM MST up reply actions
Yeah
there’s a Tuaca stand behind 328 that has some quality brews.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Nov 7, 2009 2:07 PM MST up reply actions
I repped the BAF wallet pic for you, jibs.
by c0nquistad0rian on Nov 7, 2009 12:20 PM MST up reply actions
Yeah
his normal 5 min all in 1st & second period.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Nov 7, 2009 12:43 AM MST up reply actions
I agree with DDC on Clark…another thing I noticed about him, especially in this game…is that he gets a lot of flak for turnovers, and rightly so BUT:
The guy is one of the few Avs who can get the puck OUT OF THE DAMN ZONE. And while his clearing ability (like the rest of the team’s) is atrocious…he can skate it out of the zone extremely well. I wonder sometimes with his stick handling and skating ability (both of which are quite good, at least this year), if Clark would have made a better forward.
That said, he seems to be picking better times to block shots this year…instead of trying to block anything and everything, a product of Anderson’s good play I suspect.
Also Anderson even took a few swipes at Kopecsy or however you spell his name…by the way, speaking of “Second City Hockey” they hate Mr. Number 82 as well.
Budaj
still sporting the beard, which is aces in my book.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 7, 2009 6:31 AM MST reply actions
Anyone else
feel more comfortable with him having a beard. It’s like his nerves aren’t as wrecked.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Nov 7, 2009 8:15 AM MST up reply actions
Rayzors are scary!
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - We really suck, it's just that we didn't get the memo.
by Hopfenkopf on Nov 7, 2009 10:21 AM MST up reply actions 3 recs
I see what you did there.
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 7, 2009 10:23 AM MST up reply actions
Hehe
Ya. Well played.
An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.
Preissing
Preissing played last night for LEM. He had an assist
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 7, 2009 6:36 AM MST reply actions
Good game, almost blown by Cumiskey. O’Reily reminds me Yzerman but way less intense. He’s so subtle, but so freeking smart. He read the tone of the game and knew when to chip it deep or just put the puck on net for an offensive zone faceoff. Some of our guys don’t play situational hockey (Josh McDaniels reference!). Duchene could learn a thing a two from O’Reilly. By the way, Foote being named captain is smart because guys like O’Reilly might actually be the captain of the future and if Stastny was named Cap you might have the wrong guy at the helm for a long, long time.
Foote being named captain is smart because guys like O’Reilly might actually be the captain of the future
That is precisely why I wanted Footer to get the C. It was way too premature to assume Stastny would get it “just because.” He was the young superstar…before the team went into rebuild, get the young guys on board mode.
I still think Duchene will get it, but Radar is def in the mix.
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 7, 2009 10:23 AM MST up reply actions
Radar is def in the mix
I was at the game last night. They had a video on Radar and they backed it with Rhianna’s “Shut up and Drive.” With all the sexual innuendo in that song, it just made me think of you and Radar. Not sure why ;-)
Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.
sexual innuendo + beachie = a normal day at MHH
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 7, 2009 6:13 PM MST up reply actions
sexual innuendo + beachie = a normal dayat MHH
Fixed.
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 8, 2009 10:09 AM MST up reply actions
sexual innuendo + beachie = a normal dayat MHHat MHH
fixed again.
i reserve that talk for ya’ll.
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 8, 2009 11:55 AM MST up reply actions
Clark is one of the few Dmen that doesn’t panic and use a slapshot on the outlet pass, so many turn overs because the forwards couldn’t handle the pass.
I wish Sacco would stop trying to force chemistry between Duchene and Svatos…It ain’t working, try him on Stastny’s wing for at least a couple of shifts. Hendricks had a great game last night, he was pissed and all over the ice last night, he and McLeod were the only skaters who came to play in the 1st.
This team will make the playoffs and upset the Sharks in the first round...it's our turn.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Nov 7, 2009 9:03 AM MST reply actions
Hendricks
gets my balls of steel award. Comes back after an injury and gets into a fight within the first few minutes of the game. He seems to be willing to do what Koci won’t.
Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.
Apparenlty
I missed one hell of a thread last night. Prob a good thing tho cuz I get too distracted with the threads and miss half the cool shit in the game. That is why (tho it doesn’t seem anyone’s noticed..boooo!) I’ve been MIA for nearly all of them this year.
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 7, 2009 10:20 AM MST reply actions
I've noticed
but what am I supposed to do? Openly pine for your glorious return?
I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.
by A.J. Haefele on Nov 7, 2009 10:25 AM MST up reply actions
yes
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 7, 2009 6:14 PM MST up reply actions
I’ve noticed as well, it’s just hasn’t been the same without you taking your clothes off in the stands.
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 8, 2009 10:11 AM MST up reply actions
yeah, I hear ya on being distracted from the game. But, now that I have a netbook, I stream the game on that and post on my PC.
by c0nquistad0rian on Nov 7, 2009 12:24 PM MST up reply actions
Oh...
and that O’Reilly kid?? I think we should keep him.
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 7, 2009 10:21 AM MST reply actions
I'll admit
I am still suffering from a little PTSD from last year’s offense. When the Avs were down by 2, I started with the “we are doomed as doomed can be” (they only had 8 shots on goal in the first 2 periods – yikes!) I have to keep reminding myself this team is different. Fortunately, they woke up and starting playing better, and the goals that we scored were amazing! I was hoping Radar would get a hat trick (my son and I were chanting “Hat Trick” when he went up for his shootout attempt).
That game was a lot of fun. I agree with Jibbles on the Hawks fans. We had a lot of them around us and they weren’t obnoxious.
A couple of those stops by Anderson in the shootouts were crazy. The poke-check-pad-stop-flip-on-the-back move: classic Anderson. When we were leaving people were cheering “Andy, Andy” going down the escalators and my son chimed in with them. Crazy fun game.
Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.
I liked his little break-dancing spin on the back move after the one save in the SO…he just kind of stayed on his back, and completed his spin, in slow motion
Did someone on the bench tell the Avs that Niemi is horrible on shots or something. I saw that he has a slow glove, but The Baron and the Duke both tried horrid shots. For people who have super soft hands, why not deke?
Avalanche 2009-2010: We fend off 7 man power plays? Do you?
Wolski
What’s his deal on the shootout so far? It feels like he’s completely forgotten his sick moves. Yeah, he’s way better during the actual game, which is more important, but he’s been really disappointing in the SO so far.
by Rather Dashing on Nov 7, 2009 4:14 PM MST up reply actions
It looks like he’s trying some new moves, which are failing horribly. I guess I could understand it against guys he faced last year, but he would have OWNED Niemi if he’d done his triple deke, got you committed so I’m gonna tip it in the other way move.
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 7, 2009 6:20 PM MST up reply actions
That’s what I don’t understand. Why try new moves when his old ones were so flippin’ amazing?
by Rather Dashing on Nov 7, 2009 6:24 PM MST up reply actions
Two Nicknames?
Well, besides “Radar” (which seems kinda wimpy to me), “O’RYLY”, and “The Factor”, I kept thinking that the Altidudes were calling him “Rhino-rylly”. He was playing like a Rhino last night.
Mr. Anderson. Welcome back, we've missed you!
Rhino...
is what we called Steve Reinprecht, who is quietly having a good season for himself in Florida.
by c0nquistad0rian on Nov 7, 2009 5:00 PM MST up reply actions
I miss him =(
I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.
Same, though I happy to see him doing well in Florida…
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 8, 2009 10:15 AM MST up reply actions
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