Game 38 Preview: Avalanche at Wild
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 6:00 AM MST
in Game Previews
181 comments
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| Colorado Avalanche |
6 MT / 8 ET / 1 GMT |
Minnesota Wild |
| 20-11-6 | December 21st, 2009 |
17-15-3 |
| 46 pts | Xcel Center |
37 pts |
| 3rd in West |
St Paul, MN |
11th in West |
Here's an interesting question. The Avalanche are once again atop the NW division and currently sit in 3rd place in the Western Conference. After 37 games last year, the Avs were in 8th place in the conference, just a point ahead of, coincidentally enough, the Blue Jackets and the Wild. Clearly, they are greatly improved this year, right?
Are they? The Avs record through 37 games last year was 19-17-1 - this year's version has just one more win than last year's ticking time bomb had at this point. The biggest difference is that the Avs managed to get the stupid loser point 5 more times than last year's club. Essentially, if this league wasn't run by idiots, the Avs would basically be on the same pace as last year.
To this point, the Avs have 109 goals for and 107 goals against. Last year? 103 and 107. For all the talk of improvement, the Avs net change this year is 6 more goals scored. Goals against is exactly the same (no shock there: Anderson's 2.65 / .917 stats aren't all that different than Budaj's 2.74 / .903 through 37 games in '08).
The reality is, even with that white-hot October and an extended stay in the upper stratosphere of the standings, the Avs may not be all that much better than they were a year ago. This time last year they weren't a terrible team; they were a team struggling to find consistency, kind of like the '09 version that hasn't put 3 straight wins together since October 28th. There have certainly been some sparks, just as there some high points last fall.
In a recent game, Peter McNab guaranteed that the Avalanche would not have the 3rd overall pick again next year. That's not a sure thing yet, though, as improbable as it may sound. No one thought the Avalanche would be a lottery team at this point last year, but a 13-25-4 record over the final 45 games made it happen.
Where am I going with all this? The Avalanche are 0-2-2 against the Wild this year. The Wild sputtered out of the starting blocks this year, and the Avs gave away points that they shouldn't have given away. Now, Minnesota is gathering momentum (7-3-0 in the last 10). Minnesota has already clinched the season series against Colorado, which becomes critical in the not-as-unlikely-as-you-think event that these two finish the season tied in the standings.
On Saturday, the Avalanche may have been as close to the elusive 60-minute effort as they've been all year and are generally playing solid hockey with 5 wins in the last 7 games. Unfortunately, the two losses were stinkers against Capitals and, yes, the Wild. If the Avalanche are going to be serious about making a run at the playoffs this year, the Avs will need to eliminate those kinds of deep valleys from the itinerary. Plus, a win tonight guarantees that the Avalanche will stay in first in the NW through Christmas.
Today in Colorado Avalanche History: December 21st, 2007. David Jones makes his NHL debut against the New York Rangers.
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No kidding…don’t try to sound so chipper DDC
As noted, I am not a big Peter Budaj fan. Just so everyone knows...you know, so people don't have to point it out every post. That doesn't mean I want him to fail, as some have suggested...that is all
heh. not meant to sound depressing. honest. I was just looking at some numbers and frankly I was quite surprised at how much this year lined up with last year. I do think this club is on the right track, so there’s that. :)
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 6:39 AM MST up reply actions
Well there goes the Christmas spirit, right out the window.
The main difference in the team this season and last is “effort”. A lot of people claimed last season that goalie would let in a “soft” goal and it would “deflate” the team. There were many games, even early on, that we thought the team was “mailing it in”. This season it seems this team believes that on most night it can and will win. Go down a goal, 2 goals, even 3 goals and they are still fighting back to either tie or win. We’ve seen a lot of those games already this season, thus the additional 5 looser point games. Last years team would not have gotten into those games, they would have found a way to give the game away in the final minutes of regulation.
Could a melt down happen? Yes. Could injuries continue to build up and eventually wear down the team? Yes. Could the grueling schedule take it’s tole on the young (and old) players and wear them down? Yes. Will Sacco let this team quit and mail it in? I very much doubt it. Unlike last season’s team, I don’t think mailing it in will be an option. We’ve already seen the kind of fight they have in them.
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 21, 2009 8:50 AM MST up reply actions
You are spot on, my friend, especially the part about Sacco not letting them mail it in. I think he’d bench the entire team and put the first intermission midget teams out there if they did.
BTW, Canary, are you in Spanish mode, drunk, or still asleep? Your less than stellar grammar and spelling is very uncharacteristic of you. I was very surprised to see your name on that post, actually. (This, of course, is written with the deepest of affection! xoxo)
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 10:11 AM MST up reply actions
I may be half asleep still. It might be that we are out of school for two weeks and my brain has shut down.
If I’m drunk I want to know how (since I don’t drink) and was she cute?
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 21, 2009 10:38 AM MST up reply actions
I agree with you and with c6hor8 below
because they both go hand-in-hand. I think the injuries last year, especially Sakic’s, destroyed the team’s confidence. All it took last year was one goal (and it didn’t have to be a soft one) to get the team skating on its heels. The team really needed Sakic’s leadership and IMO not having him in the locker room and out on the ice was devastating. I also think Sacco’s approach of making players own their poor performance by benching them and calling them out prevents all the “mailed-in” games.
As far as the goalie comparisions, that Anderson and Budaj are so similar probably isn’t much of a shock to us here, but I bet it would be to the muppets over at the DP. Of course, Dater will NEVER publish anything that shows that Budaj is as good as Anderson, because that would be diametrically opposed to his whole BOODAI IS TEH SUXXXORS compaign that he spearheaded.
Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.
the good thing is
Anderson. In the playoffs you need to RIDE A HOT GOALIE. He can play amazing at times and if he catches fire theres no If and or buts we can make the cup finals. Isn’t that what really matters?
theres no If and or buts we can make the cup finals
are you talking this year? if so, i think there are plenty of ifs, and, ors, and buts about it.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 11:06 AM MST up reply actions
Yeah, I am all about trying to get into the playoffs…but this team, in it’s current state is NOT a cup contender. I don’t care how hot Anderson/Budaj is. Until this team can play a constant 60 minutes, and plug a few holes, they won’t be a Cup contender.
That said…if this rebuild goes any faster, things look really good
As noted, I am not a big Peter Budaj fan. Just so everyone knows...you know, so people don't have to point it out every post. That doesn't mean I want him to fail, as some have suggested...that is all
I would be thrilled even getting into the second round, to be honest. Past that? It would be the best damn birthday present I could ever even dream of. West conf finals? I’d be creaming my pants every day for the entire series.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 11:36 AM MST up reply actions
if this rebuild goes any faster, things look really good
With the changes that will go on with ending some bad contracts, trades, and the influx of some really great new players, next year should look better than this year. The future is looking brighter and brighter.
Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.
Here are some positive notes DDC neglected to include in his BAH HUMBUG game preview:
1. The Wild may be 7-3-0 through their last ten games, but the Avs are 6-3-1.
2. At that pace (ten games to gain one point in the standings), the Wild need just 90 more games this season to catch up to the Avalanche.*
3. The Wild are playing with brand new equipment.
4. DDC is a big jerk.
*Yes, I know this is a ridiculous and misleading spin on statistics. Pretend to have a sense of humor.
Mile High Hockey: Hoping for the best, expecting the worst, hating the Wings.
by Joe Dunman on Dec 21, 2009 6:47 AM MST reply actions 1 recs
agreed on all points!
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 6:56 AM MST up reply actions
I thought I read that they were playing in old equipment. The avs should see if it’s illegal.
Jesus Saves! Stewart gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 21, 2009 2:53 PM MST up reply actions
Last before injuries to Stastny, Sakic, Smyth, et al, we were a good team. A playoff team. If we don’t have those injuries maybe the Defense is better and make it easier on Budaj. That’s why imploded, in my opinion. It was right about now we started losing people and everything went to hell.
If we have injuries to Stastny, Wolski, and Duchene all at the same time, a la last year, we will implode again.
Regardless, we were good last year. We are a great team this year.
Avalanche 2009-2010: Ostensibly, the worst team in the league. Realistically, top of the NW division.
Yeah, that's a good point
If we lost Statsny, Duchene and Hejduk for the season I bet you’d see our placing drop pretty suddenly.
by eltharion_doa on Dec 21, 2009 7:51 AM MST up reply actions
The Avs record through 37 games last year was 19-17-1 – this year’s version has just one more win than last year’s ticking time bomb had at this point. The biggest difference is that the Avs managed to get the stupid loser point 5 more times than last year’s club. Essentially, if this league wasn’t run by idiots, the Avs would basically be on the same pace as last year.
By my count, 7 of those 19 wins were in shootouts and 1 was in OT. I would argue that if the league wasn’t run by idiots, the Avs would have had 31 or 32 points instead of 39 at this point last year.
by Inebriated Simian Miscreants on Dec 21, 2009 7:22 AM MST reply actions
Excellent point. Re-instituting the tie works both ways.
Mile High Hockey: Hoping for the best, expecting the worst, hating the Wings.
Two quick things
The date and place are wrong. I’m sure that couldn’t have happened from a copy paste or anything ;).
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
What worries me this year is the strength of the Western Conference. The Avs could finish dead last in the division, but still only get a later draft pick than an Eastern Conference team that barely misses the playoffs.
(I say this because as of this morning, last place Edmonton was one point behind the 9th place Rangers)
If Santa comes down my chimney wearing those Red Wing colors, he's going to wish he didn't exist.
This is a good point. Even if the Avs went belly-up after December, we’d probably never get as good a draft pick as we did last year. The east conference teams are on a pretty bad pace, and will likely be taking up most of the lottery picks.
That said though, my sense of dread about the season is worlds less than it was at this point in the season last year, despite the similarity in numbers.
Colorado Avalanche: Preventing itchy playoff beards since '09
by FiveJeffFingerDiscount on Dec 21, 2009 8:59 AM MST up reply actions
Some did a post the other day looking at this. The West is a lot closer then the East…
As of today in the West: Dallas has 41pts (8th-12th NHL) and Detoilet has 41pts (9th-13th NHL)
In the East: Ottawa has 40pts for 5th best (14th NHL). only the top four teams in the East would make the playoffs if they were in the West. Detoilet would miss the playoffs despite having a better record than all but 4 teams in the East.
Anyone who claims that the West is not a tougher conference is watching the game. Especially when the West is 78-42-15 versus the East
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 21, 2009 9:02 AM MST up reply actions
is NOT watching the game.
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 21, 2009 9:03 AM MST up reply actions
DD is trying to steal Christmas. Make sure your shoes aren’t on too tight David.
by Dario on Dec 21, 2009 8:28 AM MST via mobile reply actions
And it was said that DDC's heart grew THREE sizes that day.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Dec 21, 2009 9:05 AM MST up reply actions
Too bad it was 5 sizes too small to start with
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 21, 2009 9:11 AM MST up reply actions
If DDC keeps up this attitude, I’m sending Cody Mac after him…I put this in a fanshot, but not something I would want to come up on in an alley
Cody Mac will eat your children!
As noted, I am not a big Peter Budaj fan. Just so everyone knows...you know, so people don't have to point it out every post. That doesn't mean I want him to fail, as some have suggested...that is all
alternate recap image
better?
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 9:30 AM MST reply actions
dude, were you on the staff of teletubbies or something?
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 10:49 AM MST up reply actions
Please make all replies/comments to ddc@altitudetv.com
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - Time to grow a pair, boys!
by Hopfenkopf on Dec 21, 2009 11:08 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
lol
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 11:37 AM MST up reply actions
Where are the unicorns in Uniprons?
"You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take" -- Wayne Gretzky
by HockeyPhool on Dec 21, 2009 11:20 AM MST up reply actions
Nice lump of coal Santa DDC.
By the way, I hate the Wild. Can we finally beat these guys?
And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.
Probably not.
Are there any optimists around here to disregard that theory?
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Dec 21, 2009 9:51 AM MST up reply actions
not it
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 10:06 AM MST up reply actions
olli, olli oxen free!
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 21, 2009 10:39 AM MST up reply actions
please avs
beat the friggin wild. i HATE watching slow-ass bruno and nolan trundle aorund the offensive zone and score….once…and that that’s the only fricken score.
i want a Duchene hatty.
Alternatively, a Stewart hattie would be awesome, too.
Mile High Hockey: Hoping for the best, expecting the worst, hating the Wings.
Alternatively...
1. Stewie and Ducher get hatties in the first.
2. Staz and Galiardi get hatties in the second.
3. Up 12-0, they go soft in the third and give up four goals.
4. DDC posts about how troubling the lack of a 60-minute effort is. And then plays that Sarah Mclachlan abused-animal commercial five times in a row.
bwahahahahahaha! i needed that. my heartfelt thanks.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 12:28 PM MST up reply actions
Also...
In DDC’s recap he’ll say Stewie only got two and Staz got four.
I WILL NOT FORGET YOUR TRANSGRESSION, SIR. Until about the seventh beer at around the 15 minute mark of the second period tonight. But until then, I WILL NOT FORGET.
wolski’s almost done it a few times. i think it’s about time for it to happen.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 11:52 AM MST up reply actions
PS
what until tomorrow when I bitch about a 10pm eastern start for a game in Denver.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 10:07 AM MST reply actions
Calm down Scrooge or we will send the Ghosts of Avalanche’s Past to visit you.
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 21, 2009 10:41 AM MST up reply actions
like ricci and his ugly mug?
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 10:51 AM MST up reply actions
Must you make fun of Ricci?
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 21, 2009 3:47 PM MST up reply actions
I didn't know Traylor was a movie star!!!
(Avatar)
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - Time to grow a pair, boys!
Rumors flying about Liles on the market
Hartnell for Liles, Liles to Buffalo…
The Hartnell rumor is particularly interesting to me, he might fit very nicely next to Duchene. He’s a douche though…
a giant douche. and we’d love him
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 10:51 AM MST up reply actions
ps we must be close to the holiday roster freeze
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 10:52 AM MST up reply actions
is it possible to have ONE thread in this joint that does not talk about liles trade rumors?
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 10:52 AM MST up reply actions
You are all making poor Beachie nervous. Get rid of the 20-something hot stuff, and she might have to go for the teens
As noted, I am not a big Peter Budaj fan. Just so everyone knows...you know, so people don't have to point it out every post. That doesn't mean I want him to fail, as some have suggested...that is all
Liles for Hartnell
Both have a 4.2 M cap hit. Would it be a straight 1 for 1 trade? I think we’d have to send a draft pick too. Maybe a 3rd?
The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind - Humphrey Bogart
maybe. they could be needing a shakeup that badly though.
They – Avs or Flyers?
The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind - Humphrey Bogart
Yeh, maybe Dwight can turn the tables and get a 3rd or 4th out of the deal
The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind - Humphrey Bogart
Hartnell also has a nasty habit of taking at least one bad penalty per game. Last time I checked, we had already filled our quota for that type of player (Svatos).
by Inebriated Simian Miscreants on Dec 21, 2009 2:16 PM MST up reply actions
include him
Jesus Saves! Stewart gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 21, 2009 2:53 PM MST up reply actions
could we also get Lappy back in any trade with Philly? Please.
Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.
After the slap in the face offer the Avs gave him would he come back? He might fail to report….
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 21, 2009 3:49 PM MST up reply actions
ummmm, i was actually serious about that. there are plenty of other threads out there to discuss this. this has nothing to do with the game against the wild. start a new fan post where you can talk about this kind of thing in detail.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 11:44 AM MST up reply actions
shrug
i think discussing the future of the team and news involving the team on this particular day is fairly on-topic.
I’ll let Joe or DDC make the call if this discussion of a possible trade in the news is somehow cluttering the game day thread. I certainly don’t mean to, just being a fan of my team.
it was a simple request. respectfully asked. carry on then.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 12:32 PM MST up reply actions
IMHO, we’ve gone on far crazier tangents than trade talk in these preview threads.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 12:49 PM MST up reply actions
well, no shit sherlock
it was not about the fucking tangent. it hurts my little heart to hear everyone say, “get rid of beachie’s boyfriend cuz HES TEH SUXXORS N WE DONT NEED HIZ SHIZZORZ ROUND HERE.” this shit is on every single avs website except the official one but including the post (not just dater’s blog) and a bunch of other hockey sites (not just blogs) too. i swear, EVERY site has at least one article about trading away liles for anyone from kovy to a bag of fucking pucks. i just wanted one little corner of the world that i could go where it wouldn’t be talked about. is that really too much to ask????
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 1:08 PM MST up reply actions
Here’s a good site for that Beachie
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 21, 2009 1:14 PM MST up reply actions
I barely have enough time to visit this website, let alone all the other excellent Avs sites.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 1:30 PM MST up reply actions
ciao
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 1:39 PM MST up reply actions
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Dec 21, 2009 1:55 PM MST up reply actions
there’s no offense intended, and i thought I answered respectfully to your request.
fwiw, no one is sitting around saying Liles sucks in this thread either. nor do I think he sucks in general, I think he’s picking a bad time to struggle, and there’s a youth/numbers game he’s getting caught in.
I feel very similarly to the potential of Liles being traded to that of Smyth/Bruno. I really like the player, he’ll leave a huge hole if traded, and it just sucks, but it might actually work for the best of the team.
I don’t really want him to be traded either, but I do think it’s a topic worth discussing.
then again, I think I’ve made it abundantly clear that I don’t mind talking about the negatives
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 2:30 PM MST up reply actions
david, i guess i’m guilty of a bit of transference with you. i lost a lot of respect for you when you not only okayed, but seemed to endorse, the fat girl jokes from the other thread. saying that it is okay to joke about sexually using an overweight woman as if she has no other purpose than to gain back confidence is repulsive. it angered me, so i suppose i’m taking this opportunity to lash out at you. for that, i apologize. for being angry about your position on the jokes, i do not at all.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 3:30 PM MST up reply actions
this was in reply to thedoctor
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 3:32 PM MST up reply actions
jibblekopf. i meant the one below.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 4:11 PM MST up reply actions
IN DURING INTERNET ARGUMENTS
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Dec 21, 2009 4:17 PM MST up reply actions
yeah, thought that might be what this was about.
I in no way meant to endorse anything of the sort. Not really sure what to say here. I was being honest when I said I thought that kind of joke was on par with the kind of humor that’s used here. I took the joke as a joke; looks like you went for a little deeper meaning there.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 4:29 PM MST up reply actions
but you don’t take jokes as jokes that target gays. how is this any different?
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 4:37 PM MST up reply actions
hey, I’ve got a great idea. Let’s come up with a list of every possible group of people that can be offended by a comment, throw them into a giant database and then hire a bunch of moderators who can personally check every comment made here to make sure that there’s no possible way for anyone to be offended. And then we can all sit here and enjoy the one place on the internet where there’s no chance you’ll see something that you disagree with.
or, Joe, Mike and I can do the best we can and come up with some basic rules and then use our judgement on everything else, understanding that we may not always get it right every time.
I know you’re pissed and I’m sure my sarcasm isn’t going to help, but I don’t know that I have the energy to explain it much deeper than I already have. I didn’t mean anything by it, and I if I thought people were going to be deeply offended by it I would have deleted it when I saw it. When you complained, I nuked it. What else do you want me to do?
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 5:05 PM MST up reply actions
no, your sarcasm doesn’t help. as a former fat girl, FUCK YOU.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 5:59 PM MST up reply actions
good grief, who pissed in your cheerios today? he’s doing the best he can! as a mod on other boards, I can attest it’s not easy.
look, no one here is attempting to insult you or Liles, for that matter. you’re the only one ordering people around and telling people to fuck off. I really don’t understand what you’re doing here, unless it’s trying to be internet-martyr’d via banning.
why are you automatically thinking the worst of everyone here?
this had nothing to do with liles. i am not automatically thinking the worst of everyone. i didn’t think the worst of you. nothing i said to you was disrespectful at all.
this was about something entirely different. i’m not ordering anyone around, but i will leave this alone.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 7:55 PM MST up reply actions
what i asked is if on one day, in one thread, for one time, we not talk about it. it wasn’t a huge request. and it was not honored. that is what upset me. i have been around for a long time and rarely ask for anything. i think this could have been an easy, “no prob, beachie.”
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 3:25 PM MST up reply actions
fair enough
i’ll give you the benefit of the doubt next time.
i admit i felt a little ordered-around when I wasn’t doing anything remotely offensive or off-topic, despite your mild tone. i tend to react negatively to that, and i don’t think i’m alone. :)
fair enough. i admit i felt just as ordered around with a little, “you’ve no right to ask me to do this, only dad can” and that gets a negative reaction from me. and i don’t think i’m alone on that one either. =)
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 4:13 PM MST up reply actions
HEZ TEH SUXXORZ!!!!! TRADE HM N BOOODEYE 4 OVECHKIN!!!
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 4:15 PM MST up reply actions
Actually I’d be fine with this.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Dec 21, 2009 4:16 PM MST up reply actions
yeah, i would too. i was being facetious, you know, because liles really does not suck. just like budaj really does not suck.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 4:39 PM MST up reply actions
Hey, does anyone here like Nickelback?
"I clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo"--Bill Watterson
by frightenedinmate#2 on Dec 21, 2009 2:57 PM MST up reply actions
I don’t think anyone has strong opnions on that.
Jesus Saves! Stewart gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 21, 2009 3:00 PM MST up reply actions
Nah.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Dec 21, 2009 3:20 PM MST up reply actions
nope. certainly not me.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 3:30 PM MST up reply actions
yea, you’re kinda wishy washy, no one ever really know what you really think.
Jesus Saves! Wolski gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 21, 2009 3:46 PM MST up reply actions
no one ever has. i’m pretty emotionless. in my words. emotions. actions. facial expressions. people have complained about that all my life.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 4:14 PM MST up reply actions
put tucker on that line and you have two duches and a duchene.
Jesus Saves! Stewart gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 21, 2009 12:34 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
I think of him more as a clown because of the hair and because there’s a hilarious picture of him wearing a “Deez Nutz” tshirt.
by Inebriated Simian Miscreants on Dec 21, 2009 12:35 PM MST up reply actions
The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind - Humphrey Bogart
by smoky201 on Dec 21, 2009 12:50 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
ok, here's some good news
The Avalanche held an optional skate Sunday morning, and in a welcome sight defenseman Kyle Cumiskey was on the ice for the first time since suffering a foot injury on Nov. 23 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Cumiskey skated for just a few minutes this morning before exiting.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 11:36 AM MST reply actions
and more good news
Although his health is steadily improving, Svatos will not travel with the team to Minnesota.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 11:37 AM MST up reply actions
(okay, that was kind of dickish)
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 11:37 AM MST up reply actions
is it dickish to not miss his one per game lazy stick foul?
Jesus Saves! Stewart gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 21, 2009 3:01 PM MST up reply actions
and more good news…look at my siggy. read this article for more of what super joe had to say.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 11:46 AM MST reply actions
and even more good news…i will be in denver for a job fair in late feb. thought i would miss the op for a game cuz of the olympic break BUT i just realized i will be there just in time for one game: v the Red Wings. oh, what a game to be there for. glorious hallelujah.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 11:47 AM MST reply actions
that may be one of those avalanche inner circle nights (or whatever they are called)
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 21, 2009 12:02 PM MST up reply actions
March 1? I think I’m going to go, along with Tex and Bubblegum, maybe a few others. Anybody know how long I can procrastinate before I buy a ticket?
Get rid of the loser point
09-10 Avs- YMMV
Jaye should also be here for that
Looks like we might be roundin’ up quite a group of folks
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 21, 2009 5:34 PM MST up reply actions
Your sig, combined with this thread, is aptly describing my day. /eats popcorn and watches…
Get rid of the loser point
09-10 Avs- YMMV
Many hearts.
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 21, 2009 8:28 PM MST up reply actions
maybe this will help
if the nhl did the right thing and got rid of the loser point:
Western Conference:
team record win% real life standing
1. Chicago 23-11 .719 1
2. San Jose 20-15 .571 2
3. Calgary 20-15 .571 6
4. Nashville 22-14 .611 4
5. LA 22-15 .594 5
6. Phoenix 21-15 .568 7
7. Van 20-16 .556 10
8. Colorado 20-17 .540 3
9. Detroit 18-18 .500 9
10. Min 17-18 .486 11
11. St. Lou 15-19 .441 12
12. Dallas 15-20 .429 8
13. Edm. 15-20 .429 15
14. Columb. 14-21 .400 14
15. Anaheim 14-21 .400 13
Ok, maybe it won’t make you feel better, sorry.
Getting screwed: Colorado and Dallas. Being Screwed by current system, Vancouver and Calgary
The loser point just makes you look better than you are since it splits up your losses.
Jesus Saves! Stewart gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 21, 2009 12:31 PM MST reply actions
If they got rid of the shootout and OT or just the shootout and ended OT after 5 minutes, then they would still have to record ties in the standings.
For example, counting all SO decisions as Ties, OTW as Wins, and OTL as Losses, the Avalanche record would become 17W-12L-8T (42 pts). Eliminating OT entirely would improve the Avs to 43 pts (they have 0 OTW, 1 OTL).
The point is that eliminating the SO and/or OT hurts the teams that frequently win in OT or SO (like the Avs last year), not the teams that frequently lose in OT or SO.
by Inebriated Simian Miscreants on Dec 21, 2009 12:50 PM MST up reply actions
I don’t like ties either, a team should win or lose, period.
Jesus Saves! Stewart gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 21, 2009 2:02 PM MST up reply actions
i love this debate!
and I agree, sports is about winning and losing. I still hold with my solution to the problem from the Jibble / thedoctor accords: 10 min 4v4 OT, no more loser point, shootout stays.
I also toy with the idea that the shootout winner only gets 1 point, and 0 for the loser. that would really stop games from going to the shootout.
3 point games
Every game would end up giving the same number of points, no matter the outcome. I don’t like the idea of having 1 point given out for winners, and 0 for losers. I would prefer to see all games worth 3 points.
You win in regulation, you get 3 points.
You win in OT/SO, you get 2 points.
You lose in OT/SO, you get 1 point.
You lose in regulation, you get NOTHING!
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Let's make it even simpler
If we’re going to have to live with bastardized hockey a shootout let’s simply make it:
3pts for a win. 1 for a shootout win, and 0 for a loss of any kind.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 21, 2009 2:53 PM MST up reply actions
no 3 pts..
this isn’t soccer
'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!'
I would rather follow the 3 point game idea with the following change:
Win in regulation or OT: 3pts
Win in SO: 2pts
Loss in SO: 1pt
Loss in regulation or OT: 0pts
The principle is that a win playing actual hockey (whether its 4 on 4 or 5 on 5) should be worth more than a win in a shootout contest.
by Inebriated Simian Miscreants on Dec 21, 2009 3:02 PM MST up reply actions
exactly
and a loss should be worth nothing. Of course a Shootout win isn’t a real win, but a pseudo-win.
3,1 & 0 (with 10 min OTs) makes the most sense. If we do that, there will hardly be any shootouots, and every game will end in a team winning and one losing.
Except fans.. for us, it’s win-win.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 21, 2009 3:07 PM MST up reply actions
If a shootout win is a pseudo-win (which I agree with), how is a shootout loss not just a pseudo-loss?
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
There just shouldn’t be sorta wins and sorta losses, you either won or you lost.
Jesus Saves! Wolski gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 21, 2009 3:13 PM MST up reply actions
Or tie. I am totally fine with a tie.
If two teams battle it out for 70 (assuming the 10 minute OT), and they are even, why not call it a tie? Why come up with some gimmicky, non team based factor to decide it?
How about rock paper scissors’, best two of three, played by each teams captain?
OR, how about the home team always wins?
OR, each team can put out a goon, and they can fight until one of them cannot fight anymore?
It’s all dumb, IMO.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Because when the game goes to a shootout
we all lose.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 21, 2009 3:18 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
why not 2 – 1 – 0? is getting 1/3 the points of a “real” win vs. 1/2 the points really worth screwing up all the points records that much more?
I think so
I think 2-1 puts less emphasis on actually winning.
And the points records are already screwed up with 3 point games. It should all be points % anyways…
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 21, 2009 3:52 PM MST up reply actions
I just think adding more incentive to win will see less games go to the shootout. And even if you like the shootout, the abundance of them has at the very least dampened the novelty of them.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 21, 2009 4:03 PM MST up reply actions
I like a straight win and loss. Ideally the best answer would be to go with continous overtime, but the owners won’t want to cut back on the games so scratch that. 10 min. overtime and then the shoot out. I think that since teams won’t be playing for a point and are playing for the win you’d see a lot less shootouts since they tend to take it easy for the last 5 minutes of regulation.
Jesus Saves! Stewart gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 21, 2009 3:00 PM MST up reply actions
other difference is age
almost all the players that left have been replaced by players who are younger for the most part.
Smyth, injured Sakic, Salei, Laperriere, etc. have been replaced by
O’Reilly, Duchene, Wilson, Quincey, etc.
This means good things long term for the team obviously, but it more than likely means good things for the rest of this season. Younger players would seem more likely to hold up physically as the season progresses I would think. Also, mentally, last year’s team had the feel of a team that was desperate for one last chance to be relevant, one last chance to do well. This year’s team is more centered around the young players and has a feeling more of a young team excited to see how far they can go. Obviously, this is a fan’s perspective and the locker room feeling may differ, but I’d think this would play a big role in determining how the team plays down the stretch.
(I obviously don’t mean this at all as a knock on any of the players above, just a comment on the team’s composition)
and last year that freaking snow blower was out to destroy the team ala stephen king.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 21, 2009 12:35 PM MST up reply actions
This post is even more depressing for reminding me of Dr. Jones. :(
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
Even more good news
Through 37 games:
08-09 Shots For: 1070
08-09 Shots Against: 1027
09-10 Shots For: 970
09-10 Shots Against: 1180
Shows just how important that new goaltending has been.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Dec 21, 2009 2:09 PM MST up reply actions
Or how much better the Avs shots have been.
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 21, 2009 3:56 PM MST up reply actions
MR HAVLET
Have we all forgotten about Mr Havlet already? He is actually on a 5 game point streak. But that is not the part I care about.
I care about all the incredibly knowledgeable and modest hockey fans that follow his (Mr Havlet that is) team, the Weld.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
the wild what?
Jesus Saves! Wolski gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 21, 2009 3:47 PM MST up reply actions
3, 4,-5-, 6 days without an injury.
Jesus Saves! Wolski gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 22, 2009 7:42 AM MST up reply actions
Thank you for your correct thoughts and spelling!
It has been duly noted.
The Ministry of (Hockey) Information
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - Time to grow a pair, boys!
Overly Enthusiastic MHH Commenter Says:
“Dude, I’m gonna get totally rec’d tonight.”
Well done
Nice job again, DDC, really like how you think outside the box. You know who’s not doing stuff like this? Yeah, the MSM here in Broncos town.
Here’s my question, though: Watching last year’s team was painful, and I know I looked like I bit into a poop sandwich after watching most of their games. This year, for the most part, the experience has been like eating a nice BLT, or the veggie sandwich at Panera (yum). Why is that?
(Easy answer, of course. It’s increased effort (real or perceived), lowered expectations, and optimism about the future.)
The lack of bullshit platitudes from the coaching staff when the team lays an egg is a refreshing change IMO.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - Time to grow a pair, boys!
by Hopfenkopf on Dec 21, 2009 4:11 PM MST up reply actions 2 recs
I’ll take this year’s down-tempo muck & grind over last year’s free skating up and down the ice excitement.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - Time to grow a pair, boys!
There was excitement last season?
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 22, 2009 10:49 AM MST up reply actions
Sure there was, do we get Duchene, Tavares or Hedman? That question generated plenty of excitement here.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - Time to grow a pair, boys!
Truth has been spoken here.
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 22, 2009 7:01 PM MST up reply actions
That explains why Clusterfuck was trying so hard to kiss every Avs player on the ice….
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 21, 2009 9:18 PM MST up reply actions
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