Game 35 Preview: Flames at Avalanche
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 13, 2009 9:46 AM MST
in Game Previews
91 comments
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| Calgary Flames |
6 MT / 8 ET / 1 GMT |
Colorado Avalanche |
| 19-8-4 | December 13th, 2009 |
18-10-6 |
| 42 pts | Pepsi Center |
42 pts |
| 2nd in West |
Denver, CO |
5th in West |
Must win? Probably not, but this still shapes up as a big, big game for the Colorado Avalanche. The winner of tonight's game is in sole possession of first place in the Northwest. The loser will be in 5th place in the West, just 2 or 3 points ahead of the 6th-place Phoenix Coyotes.
I am very interested to see how the Avalanche play tonight. They've been a bit inconsistent lately, and I'm anxious to see if they can rise to meet tonight's challenge. Joe pointed out yesterday that the wheels are far from off of this magic bus. If you look at the tale of the tape below, you'll see that these two teams are pretty evenly matched statistically.The Avalanche can absolutely win this game...but it's probably going to take 60 minutes of effort to do it.
It would be nice if the Avs had a big, raucous home crowd to help fire them up. Unfortunately, the Avalanche are struggling attendance-wise, with just one sellout (opening night) and an average attendance of 13,994 (78% capacity). Only 4 teams have a lower average this year (Nashville, Atlanta, Phoenix and the Islanders). Of the 10 sparsest crowds the Avalanche have played in front of this year, 8 have been in the Pepsi Center. Come on, good people of Denver. Your team is in a battle for 1st place tonight; get out there and show them some love! You'll have plenty of time to get to the arena after watching the Broncos knock off the Colts today.
For the Avs, Craig Anderson is the confirmed starter. He set a career high in minutes on Friday and could set a high for wins with a W tonight. Milan Hejduk (knee) is doubtful for tonight. Figure on Ryan Stoa (#29) to make his NHL debut tonight for sure, and if indeed Svatos (mystery ailment) isn't in the lineup, Justin Mercier (#43) should play as well.
Figure on Mikka Kiprusoff as the Flames starter tonight. The Flames are almost at full strength. Corey Sarich will not play tonight and Craig Conroy is banged up and will be a game time decision.
Taylor Arnason update:
Arnason assisted on Oleg Sorokin's 1st goal of the year (glad to see Oleg get of the schnide) as the Dinamo rolled over the Tagliatti Lada on Friday 4-1. Riga is now tied with the Torpedo for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference
On this day last year:
On December 13th, 2008, the Avalanche were 12th in the conference with a 14-14-1 record. To that point, the Avalanche had 85 goals for (2.94 p/g) and 81 against (2.85). (Those goal numbers include shootout goals. I think).
Tale of the Tape:
| Calgary | Colorado | |||
| 6th | 42 | Points | 6th | 42 |
| 10th | 2.87 | GF/G | 11th | 2.85 |
| 5th | 2.32 | GA/G | 12th | 2.71 |
| 25th | 17.8 | PP% | 18th | 18.5 |
| 13th | 81.7 | PK% | 15th | 80.8 |
| 28th | 27.4 | S/G | 30th | 25.8 |
| 17th | 30.6 | SA/G | 25th | 32.5 |
| 30th | 45.6 | FO% | 29th | 46.5 |
| 21st | 14.3 | PIM/G | 13th | 13.1 |
| Iginla | 32 pts | Top Scorer | Stastny | 33 pts |
0 recs |
91 comments
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The next person that posts “First!” as a comment to anything gets banned. There will be no appeals.
Mile High Hockey: Hoping for the best, expecting the worst, hating the Wings.
I'd be remiss if I didn't ask
“Banned for how long?”
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.
by SlamDunkTheFunk on Dec 13, 2009 10:24 AM MST up reply actions
For a completely arbitrary, indefinite period of time.
Mile High Hockey: Hoping for the best, expecting the worst, hating the Wings.
lawyerd. bitch
'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'
by horbayj on Dec 13, 2009 10:39 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
If the post’s legit, you must acquit.
I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Dec 13, 2009 2:26 PM MST up reply actions
Did you like the beta C&C4? I found it a bit of a disappointment. I wanted to build a base and shit.
I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Dec 13, 2009 2:31 PM MST up reply actions
Hey Pinchy, nice Avatar….
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Dec 13, 2009 4:20 PM MST up reply actions
Like I mentioned in another thread
I like the new trend that RTS games have taken with scaling back the base-building and putting a higher emphasis on point capping and team-based tactics. I really liked it but the beta was very, very buggy and there’s some solid potential there but a LOT of work left to be done. The campaign should be really interesting, to say the least. Explaining why we aren’t farming Tiberium as our resources is going to be fun.
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.
by SlamDunkTheFunk on Dec 14, 2009 2:26 AM MST up reply actions
I deeply and humbly apologize to the point of groveling at your feet, Joe, for bringing upon this site the ridiculous, horrid and putrid habit of putting a number on a post to announce in an abstract way one’s importance because of position on a board. I admit I did it some time ago – beginning the string of disgusting behavior here at MHH – as a facetious joke after spending time on another hockey blog where it was done ad nauseam (Kuklas Korner of all places…of course, none should be surprised followers of that site would do such a thing).
I would completely understand if you chose to bring the banhammer down on me with a forceful and mighty swing for introducing such a abominable practice into our lovely home; however, I ask you to be merciful in your retribution as I do offer some enjoyable contributions here as well. =)
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 10:56 AM MST up reply actions
*ducks for cover with fear of getting hit by Ban Hammer shrapnel.
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Dec 13, 2009 3:45 PM MST up reply actions
Is there a reason you call Arnason “Taylor” and not his actual name “Tyler”? Is there some inside joke here?
His name is translated as "Tayler" or "Taylor" periodically on the KHL website. In the box score linked above and here, he’s listed as "Tayler." On the Dinamo Riga roster, he’s listed as "Tyler," though it used to be "Taylor."
Mile High Hockey: Hoping for the best, expecting the worst, hating the Wings.
and once it was even Trailor! (Seriously)
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 10:40 AM MST up reply actions
haha, i totally forgot about that blank, listless, emotionless Trailer photo..good times..
but i bet the trailer has MAD game
'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'
Well
at least it’s less of a pylon than Clark.
I need a new sig, since i think I cursed ORLY by promoting him.
Look at it go
Like Clark, Trailor is excellent at blocking shots.
2009-2010 Avalanche: Pleasantly Surprising
Turn him on his side and put him in front of the net….what a goalie he could be.
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Dec 13, 2009 3:46 PM MST up reply actions
Like Clark, Trailor is excellent at blocking
shotsbullets.
Fixed.
Avalanche 2009-2010: They'll beat your 7 man power play; we'll take down your announcers.
Tyler Arnason
Why does this website and the Denver Post continue to post Tyler Arnason updates??? I, for one, am not slightly interested in anything related to Tyler Arnason. Why not talk about Sakic, Forsberg, Blake, Roy or Borque instead. Arnason only brings up memories of non-hitting, sub-par, lethargic hockey. Who gives a crap about what Arnason is doing. Run a poll and I bet you will find I’m right.
4. Sarcasm is the norm, so turn your internal sarcasm meter to 11 when reading and posting comments at MHH.
This was taken from Joe’s MHH Member Guidelines. We find tracking Taylor’s Russian hockey career to be extremely funny, like looking for the Travelocity Gnome. What can we say!
Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.
Please run that poll
I for one will vote that I give 1 million craps what Traylorz Arnason is up to.
2009-2010 Avalanche: Pleasantly Surprising
I disagree.
Whenever Arnie sneezes, I want to know about it. Every blank look he gives a photographer, I want the details. Every “meh” that escapes his nonchalantly-pursed lips, I need to be made aware of it. I want to know what he ate for breakfast, the last time he went to the toilet, what day of the week he pays his taxes, and who’s his favourite Swedish porn actress.
Besides, these updates are just funny. We care more about Tyler, than Tyler cares about Tyler. And all this news helps remind us that he’s not on the Avs anymore. Nothing like waking up with a cold sweat one night because you dreamed he was in the burgundy and blue again, coming on MHH, and calming your self as you realise he’s in a different country playing for a different team.
"All by their heads, he places crowns."
by Tempestuous Binary on Dec 13, 2009 9:44 AM MST up reply actions
Very, very well put
So true that we care more about TA than he does.
2009-2010 Avalanche: Pleasantly Surprising
For the same reason we continue to post this:
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 10:41 AM MST up reply actions
Tyler
Tyler has become an infamous icon here and on many sites for exactly the reasons you site. We were all so happy to see him go that we just seem to be facinated that he even has a job as a hockey player.
Frankly its a train wreck, can’t stop looking!
Jibbled, and correct.
(But don’t push your luck with the “Fourth” crap.)
Mile High Hockey: Hoping for the best, expecting the worst, hating the Wings.
It’s called sarcasm dude. Rule numer 4. Sheesh, I’ve never posted “First” once, as I’m sure your Big Brother software will tell you.
by From the Point on Dec 13, 2009 9:48 AM MST up reply actions
You didn’t get banned, did you?
Mile High Hockey: Hoping for the best, expecting the worst, hating the Wings.
this will be an interesting to watch faceoff wise..the ref just might have to flip a coin to determine posession
'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'
We’ll manage to lose the battle of the face offs. I assure you.
Do we have any idea about lines tonight? Is Stoa going to play with Duchene or will there be a 4th line with Mercier and Stoa?
Avalanche 2009-2010: They'll beat your 7 man power play; we'll take down your announcers.
I think either Stoa or Wolski will play with with Duchene and the other will play with Stastny.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 13, 2009 1:27 PM MST up reply actions
I don’t think they’ll match Stoa against Calgary’s number 1 D pairing in his first game in the NHL. I think he’ll be third or fourth line material especially after what Sacco said during the morning skate: that he expects Stoa to use his big body, play a defensive game, and do a good job forechecking.
How about Galiardi with either Stastny or Duchene?
Wolski-Stastny-Stewart
Galiardi-Duchene-Tucker/Stoa
Mcleod-O’Reilly-Tucker/Stoa/Mercier
Koci-Hendricks-Tucker/Mercier
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Dec 13, 2009 3:40 PM MST up reply actions
I vote for gali-dutchy-stoker
highlander-radar-slap chop (pleeeeaaaasssse no sham wow)
koci-jimmy-mercy
and yes, i’m throwin out my own nicknames. if you don’t get jimmy, you need to listen to better music.
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 4:12 PM MST up reply actions
I like Jimmy! I’m not sure I get stoker though… I would leave Stoa down with O’reilly and mcleod. I don’t know why we would split up stewart and duchene with all of the chemistry they’ve had together. But that would put tucker way up on the stastny line…
stokes the fire by driving to the net, mixing things up. stewies been on the top line since jonesy went out and has good chemistry there too. i don’t like tucker with duchene AT ALL, but he’s done some good on occasion with radar. i am a bit reluctant to mercy on the 3rd line mostly cuz i’ve no idea of how he plays.
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 4:35 PM MST up reply actions
“I don’t know why we would split up stewart and duchene with all of the chemistry they’ve had together.”
Stewart’s been with Stastny for the last 3 or 4 games.
With Svatos and Hejduk out, I’m pretty sure Sacco will break up the top line (WW, SOS and Stewie). Just a guess:
Wolski – Stastny – Tucker
Stoa – Duchene – Stewart
Galiardi – O’Reilly – McLeod
Koci – Hendricks – Mercier
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 13, 2009 4:59 PM MST up reply actions
stoa-duchene-stewart
/drool
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 5:00 PM MST up reply actions
Granted, this is posted post-factum;
but ShamWow (known on occasion as SlapChop) has no Godd&*ned business ANYWHERE above the 3rd line.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - Time to grow a pair, boys!
This is going to be a battle of fail in the faceoff circle. I didn’t realize until looking at the stats that Duchene was THIS BAD. I knew he was bad, but that is just a horrific number. On the bright side, Darcy Tucker is 19-11, a 63.3% win percentage. So we have that going for us.
Calgary players with more than 100 faceoffs taken:
Langkow (202W-278L, 42.1%)
Jokinen (211-226, 48.3%)
Conroy (105-122, 47.8%)
Boyd (104-106, 49.5%)
Iginla (57-79, 41.9%)
Colorado:
Stastny (368-390, 48.6%)
Duchene (161-247, 38.5%)
O’Reilly (197-210, 48.4%)
Galiardi (90-94, 48.9%)
He is available
(in the AHL if I’m not mistaken)
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - Time to grow a pair, boys!
Correction.
CAR called him back up in early November.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - Time to grow a pair, boys!
To be fair
since three of the Avs’ centres are rookies, I’m not sure we should be all that upset about the numbers. Dutchy may never be a Yelle, but I guarantee he’ll improve as the season goes on and as he grows as a player. Same for Gally and Radar. It’s pretty rare that rookies dominate in the faceoff circle; only five players since the lockout have cracked 50% in their rookie year.
by ExiledAmongYou on Dec 13, 2009 2:37 PM MST up reply actions
and two of our three rookies are better than iginla. just sayin…
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 3:16 PM MST up reply actions
huh? gali and radar cost more than iginla?
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 4:48 PM MST up reply actions
They will…one day…they will. Just hope when they do…the NHL cap is around 90 million…lol
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
and when they do, let’s hope they’re lifting up and bringing home a whole bunch of beautiful Cups
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 4:59 PM MST up reply actions
bringing home a whole bunch of beautiful Cups
Or at least the same cup multiple times.
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Dec 13, 2009 5:10 PM MST up reply actions
Wow
Stas is out-scoring Iginla? That’s awesome. He’s on my fantasy team behind Crosby and Mike Richards and I didn’t realize he was getting nearly a point per game. It’s been so good to see him consistent (in spurts) after fizzling a little last season.
2009-2010 Avalanche: Pleasantly Surprising
Fuck Mike Richards. He’s an overrated piece of shit who the NHL thinks is so fucking great even though Stastny has outscored him on a per game basis.
Avalanche 2009-2010: They'll beat your 7 man power play; we'll take down your announcers.
And furthermore
If Stastny played in the pansy Eastern Conference he’d be putting up 100 points a season. Ricahrds can score short handed goals. Good for him. Not going to win you more than 5 games. Stastny will.
And he’s a shitty captain.
Avalanche 2009-2010: They'll beat your 7 man power play; we'll take down your announcers.
Why the Mike Richards hate? The dude’s all-around good.
But, I agree. Stas deserves the same prominence. He’s really overlooked. I think it’s due to an East Coast bias in the U.S. at least. And true, Richards has sucked lately along with the rest of the Flyers and I should prolly upgrade Stas to the #2 spot.
2009-2010 Avalanche: Pleasantly Surprising
I just hate that they are comparable players at best for Richards and he gets heralded as some brilliant future Joe Sakic. Yes the Joe Sakic analogy put me over the edge when i heard it.
Basically, I am furious that Stastny does not get the respect he deserves. Neither did Sakic at first though.
So, I have chosen to manifest by anger towards the person “experts” call a slightly better skilled version of Paul Stastny. I had to invert it because they called Stastny a slightly less skilled Mike Richards once.
Avalanche 2009-2010: They'll beat your 7 man power play; we'll take down your announcers.
Fair enough
Richards is no Sakic and “a slightly better skilled version of Paul Stastny” is a terrible description of him. He’s scrappier maybe. Screw the experts.
2009-2010 Avalanche: Pleasantly Surprising
Why do we always come here?
Why do we watch the games?
All we ever do is complain,
about the way they play….
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Dec 13, 2009 3:44 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
my mom never understood why these guys were my favorite muppets. maybe it explains my punk rock teens….hmmmmm.
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 4:15 PM MST up reply actions
Stoa
Pretty exciting that he’s in after all the pre-season hype. I’m going to miss the game tonight but I’m hoping to check the box score and see that he lit it up.
2009-2010 Avalanche: Pleasantly Surprising
Ive been waiting also. I thought he was capable before. And as far as tonight, the Av’s have always (well 99% of the time) they play to the level of their competition. If they play a slow non-offensive game, chances are, so are the opponents.
A vasectomy means never having to say you're sorry.
-- Anonymous
from all that jori’s said about it, i cannot wait to see this game just to see him. please oh please, sacco, put him on dutchy’s line!!!
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 4:16 PM MST up reply actions
watching the Broncos knock off the Colts today.
heh. haha*cough*hehhahaha. hahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
the last laugh was on me, though. I needed a win today to make the playoffs in my FF league. I was up against Brandon Marshall. I had no idea, but when they broke into the Pats game to say that Marshall had (at the time) 20 catches, I was willing to bet $100 that my opponent had Marshall. He did.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 13, 2009 4:23 PM MST up reply actions
Marshall saved my ass
All of a sudden he blows up in a losing effort in the (fantasy) playoffs against a huge game from Andre Johnson. My hometown bias paid off for once.
2009-2010 Avalanche: Pleasantly Surprising
I just found out why I could never work for the NFL Network…I’m not a Patriots Fanboy who can come up with lame excuses on why they’re going to miss the playoffs on the spot.
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
totally off topic
just saw a commercial for a medication for acid reflux called aciphex….pronounced ass-effex. no lie. why on earth would you name your med what sounds like ass effects?? especially when it’s supposed to treat something that is essentially that symptom on the other end?? too freaking funny.
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 4:38 PM MST reply actions
That’s even better than “Flo-max”.
Forever grateful that Joe Sakic isn't a douche bag like Brett Favre.
by Rather Dashing on Dec 13, 2009 4:40 PM MST up reply actions
lol
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 4:40 PM MST up reply actions
yo best check yo self ‘for yo rek yo’self ‘cause i’m bad for yo helf.
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
Yiggity yes
It’s no pirate metal, but its cliggity classic.
2009-2010 Avalanche: Pleasantly Surprising
IS THE GAME STARTING YET????
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 4:59 PM MST reply actions
guess it’s time to power up the Wii. Oh Brother Where Art Thou? while funny is not doing it for me. Ciao all.
2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 13, 2009 5:01 PM MST up reply actions
i've said it before
i am not a stoa fan. hope he proves me wrong, but i think some people will be in for a rude awakening around here. stoa with duchene? what?
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