Game 41 Recap: Avalanche Weather 3rd Period Storm & Hang On To Beat The Senators

by Derek B on Dec 31, 2009 12:43 AM MST

Wow. That was a close one.

The Ottawa Senators played about as well as they could to get the win tonight. Fortunately for all of us, Craig Anderson stole one. Again.

Both teams came out of the locker room flying early. For most of the first period it was a seesaw battle with both teams getting good scoring chances. Then with just under half a period to play, Ryan Shannon potted what would be the first of his two goals on the night. That goal seemed to wake up the Avs as for the rest of the period they dominated play and scored twice. Kyle Quincey scored his first goal since late November, 5th on the year, and Chris Durno poked his second career NHL goal through the legs of Senators goalie Pascal Leclaire.

Only one goal was scored during the second period and it was by Matt Duchene, his 11th of the season with the lone assist going to the Milan Hejduk. For those that took part in the GameDay Thread, I miraculously called this one, goal scorer and the assist.

As the game was heading into the 3rd period with the Avs leading 3-1, I just had this feeling that this game was not going to be an easy one to win. The old cliche is that a two goal lead is the worst one in the hockey. Not for our beloved Avs. Our weakness is when we play great and extend the lead to three goals, and it happened AGAIN tonight.

After Ryan O'Reilly scored his 5th goal of the season off a rebound that was made possible by an impressive play and all out hustle of Brandon Yip (1st career NHL assist), that was when the wheels started to get a little shaky. With a 4-1 lead in the 3rd period for most teams, that means the rest of the game is just a formality. Not our boys, they like to make things interesting by giving the opposition a chance to claw their way back into the game.

Nick Foligno and Ryan Shannon scored for the Senators in the 3rd to bring it to 4-3, but from then on Anderson shut the door on the Senators' thoughts of a comeback as he has done so many times this year.

For most of us, watching Craig Anderson steal games for the Avalanche has become almost a nightly ordeal. Tonight was no different for "Andy". Quite frankly, it is something that this team has become too accustomed to in my opinion, and that is continuing to have their goaltender bail them out following lackluster play heading into the 3rd period with a lead.

Tonight was no different. Craig Anderson made 27 saves and was the first star of the game for Colorado in the win. While the number of shots was lower than in the previous 3 games, many of Anderson's saves were of the highlight variety, including one with just under five minutes to play in the 3rd on Chris Campoli. Peter McNabb said it best of Anderson's play thus far this season, "Anderson already has at least 5 of the top 10 saves of the 2009-10 season and we aren't even halfway through it."

It will be interesting to see if Coach Joe Sacco calls Anderson's number again tomorrow as the team travels to "Detoilet" to take on the hate Red Wings. My guess is Andy will get the call tomorrow and Peter Budaj will play when the team travels to Columbus to end the 3 game road trip on Saturday.

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you know, almost every game I watch and about 5 minutes into the third I say something like “finally, THIS is the game the Avalanche play well with a lead in the 3rd”. And I always end up eating those words

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

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 31, 2009 5:48 AM MST reply actions

Two fluky goals and a defensive breakdown. That was the sucky part about this game. The Avs basically dominated this game, but ended up having to hang on.

I really hate watching this team scramble cluelessly in the 3rd period. It’s like they forget what made the 1st two periods so successful.

Even Ryan O’Relly said something about it in the DP:

“We tend (to sit on leads). We get up by two or three goals and then we give them the game and let them get back into it,” said O’Reilly, who gave the Avs a 4-1 advantage 4:26 into the third. “But, we’re a young team and we’re learning how to figure it out. We are starting to get better, but (keeping a lead) is something we’ve got to be able to do.”

If this is a re-build...we should do it every year.

by chiavsfan on Dec 31, 2009 5:56 AM MST reply actions

Ryan O'Reilly Folks

Learns stuff so fast, he already talks like a grizzled hockey veteran!

Colorado Avalanche: Preventing itchy playoff beards since '09

by FiveJeffFingerDiscount on Dec 31, 2009 8:12 AM MST up reply actions

I also wore my Andy jersey to work today. I just couldn’t resist after those last 2 minutes

If this is a re-build...we should do it every year.

by chiavsfan on Dec 31, 2009 7:07 AM MST reply actions

Holding a lead

I thought the Avs were awesome last night. I don’t have NHL tv or whatever so the avs are really the only team I watch. I think I have forgotten just what it is that good teams do to hold a 2 or 3 goal lead. So I am opening up the question. Should we continue to just do what we have been doing (forcing the play with confidence) that built the lead, like Sacco says? Should we trap more? Is it coaching? Does are lack of big, physical defensemen just show up at that point in the game and expose us as the other team goes balls to the wall and we just aren’t talented enough to respond? What the heck are good teams doing that we aren’t?

by Digit on Dec 31, 2009 8:01 AM MST reply actions

I touched on this the other day and will brush against it lightly again in today’s preview, but I frankly have no clue. It doesn’t look to me like the team plays any different, and then all of a sudden the other team is playing gangbusters and we’re on our heels. It happens before you even realize it’s happening.

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

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 31, 2009 8:19 AM MST up reply actions

it’s a good question, and I really don’t know for sure. I have noticed a couple things though.

One thing I noticed last night was that we stopped trying to skate/pass the puck out of the zone nearly as much. we simply tried to float the puck out without an icing or banged it off the boards. Part of that is that the other teams get desperate down 2-3 goals and gamble on the forecheck, but the Avs still need to keep their heads up more and try to skate/pass the puck out like they usually do.

Sacco also attempts to shorten shifts at the expense of offense. even when we do exit the zone with possession, you’ll see us dump it deep and head for a change much more often. There’s nothing wrong with this strategy per se, I guess, but as it’s clearly not working, I’d like to see us change more like the 1st 2 periods.

Finally, the last thing I notice is a lack of pursuit in the zone. there’s only one halfhearted forechecker when we don’t have it in their zone, and when we do actually try to perform “offense,” it’s usually only 1 forward below the circles…MAYBE 2. there’s usually 3 guys hanging out above the circles even when the puck gets low. again, part of that is probably the opposition cheating up and a need to cover that desperate attempt, but I’d rather see us take advantage of the 3 on 2 down low if they are cheating up.

Ultimately, the biggest factor is the other team going balls-out offense and gambling. Our response is to get very, very predictable and barely take advantage of their cheating. I’d like to see us get a little less predictable and focus on offense more — skate/pass the puck out more, don’t shorten shifts at the expense of possession/offense so much, and play like normal in the offensive zone.

by thedoctor on Dec 31, 2009 10:21 AM MST up reply actions

A little caption game this New Years Eve?

If this is a re-build...we should do it every year.

by chiavsfan on Dec 31, 2009 8:09 AM MST reply actions

Oh no! The little rubber thing is getting away! We need that for…something

WHAT….is your favorite colour?

ROCKEFELLER!!!

by Muzia on Dec 31, 2009 8:38 AM MST up reply actions

1. The Avalanche plan of having the 3rd period D play behind the goal line has yielded mixed results in the first half.

"I clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo"--Bill Watterson

by frightened inmate #2 on Dec 31, 2009 9:20 AM MST up reply actions

2. What’s this say? Who’s Gary BBett—-ernan?

"I clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo"--Bill Watterson

by frightened inmate #2 on Dec 31, 2009 9:24 AM MST up reply actions

1….You put your right hand in…..NO Hannan, the right hand!

2….You’re right it does kind of look like an image of Jesus…

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 31, 2009 11:17 AM MST up reply actions

I watched this game on the DVR and as soon as O’Reilly scored my first thought was “I should turn this off and go see what the final was and if I want to watch the rest of this.” That is not supposed to be my first reaction to a 3 goal lead in the 3rd period. Luckily, Anderson was ridiculous in the last few minutes, because this is a game that probably should have gone to OT.

On another note, was it just me or was there a TON of Avs fans there last night? Some of the pops for Avs goals were as loud as they would have been at some home games this year.

And Brett Clark still sucks. Less so than he has in other games, I suppose, but good work blocking Anderson wrapping the puck around the boards.

by sprdelfin on Dec 31, 2009 9:01 AM MST reply actions

I’ll disagree, I thought Clark was god AWFUL in this game. He had a couple of huge gaffes, including one major one that led to a 2-on-1. I have a feeling Liles comes back tonight, and Clark is in the press box

If this is a re-build...we should do it every year.

by chiavsfan on Dec 31, 2009 9:04 AM MST up reply actions

“Brett Clark not withstanding”

by sprdelfin on Dec 31, 2009 9:07 AM MST up reply actions

I also though Chris Stewart had an awful defensive game. He was caught standing there watching the puck on 2 of the Sens goals, and on a couple of those highlight reel Andy saves, it was also because Stewie was just kind of wandering.

I’ll forgive him because it was his first bad game in awhile, but that was kind of disconcerting.

Oh, and Marek Svatos is useless…like Tucker useless

If this is a re-build...we should do it every year.

by chiavsfan on Dec 31, 2009 9:18 AM MST reply actions

I love that Svatos wasn’t even on the ice for the Durno goal. The Avs had only 4 players on the ice (plus Andy, who counts for 2). Was he lost?

Money is the root of all evil... Send $19.95 for more info.... Oh, and screw the Wings.

by i2strange97 on Dec 31, 2009 9:41 AM MST up reply actions

He was trying to do a line change. I am telling myself that it had to do with the groin injury. Perhaps he is supposed to keep his shifts shorter?

Sandie

"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron

by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 9:45 AM MST up reply actions

very true. but man did he have a 1st period offensively!

by thedoctor on Dec 31, 2009 10:22 AM MST up reply actions

I don’t know if anyone saw this or heard about it (and I know it’s not from the Avalanche game last night, but I know how everyone feels about Phaneuf around here) but he had a very big and very bad, illegal hit on Kopitar of the Kings last night. He was kicked out of the game afterward and rightfully so. The strangest thing about it was that the fans in Calgary booed Kopitar every time he touched the puck after that. I don’t understand that at all. Can anyone explain to me why they would do that?

Anyway, here’s a link to the video.

by Stefka.Kostadinova on Dec 31, 2009 10:18 AM MST reply actions

what's not understandable?

Calgary == assholes at all levels

by thedoctor on Dec 31, 2009 10:23 AM MST up reply actions

yep....

What a fucking goon. Not to mention all the comments on the video about how it was such an “awesome hit.” Kick this guy out of hockey. Seriously. No one will miss him.

ROCKEFELLER!!!

by Muzia on Dec 31, 2009 10:35 AM MST up reply actions

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I guess I just don’t understand some things about hockey.

by Stefka.Kostadinova on Dec 31, 2009 10:39 AM MST up reply actions

i think you missed that i was joking. although Calgary DOES == assholes at all levels still. :)

by thedoctor on Dec 31, 2009 10:40 AM MST up reply actions

Oh. I am pretty new to hockey so I’m just trying to get to know everything better. My boyfriend last year was a big Avalanche fan. Smyth was his favorite player (he was so mad when he got traded!) so that’s why I still kind of watch to see what is happening with him. I got all my basic hockey and Avalanche info from my boyfriend until we broke up in November. That is when I started reading some of the articles here, hoping to learn more. The pieces are all starting to fit, though, and that has a lot to do with all of the information I get here. Thank you!

And I’m sure I will get used to the jokes and sarcasm eventually!

by Stefka.Kostadinova on Dec 31, 2009 10:54 AM MST up reply actions

I'm new to this place as well

some of the jokes are starting to make sense, finally.

Did you read the glossary? It really helps.

(And Welcome!)

ROCKEFELLER!!!

by Muzia on Dec 31, 2009 10:57 AM MST up reply actions

Glossary?

by Stefka.Kostadinova on Dec 31, 2009 11:01 AM MST up reply actions

Glossary

Nicknames

2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - Time to grow a pair, boys!

by Hopfenkopf on Dec 31, 2009 11:03 AM MST up reply actions

Thanks Hopf!!

Beat me to it.

"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.

by gl avfan on Dec 31, 2009 11:04 AM MST up reply actions

Thank you!

by Stefka.Kostadinova on Dec 31, 2009 11:51 AM MST up reply actions

Calgary fans were probably booing Kopitar, because in their small minds, their team can do no wrong, and can not lose unless the other team cheats, gets lucky, or whatever. They probably felt that Phadouche did nothing wrong and the Kopitar embellished the hit in order to make it look worse, so Phadouche would get a more severe penalty. So boo Kopitar because his actions lost them Phadouche for the game.

Read Matchsticks and Gasoline sometime, if you can stand it…it’s worse than Excluding Zetterberg…..

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 31, 2009 11:26 AM MST up reply actions

It gave me a headache last time. But I had a laugh.

Sandie

"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron

by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 11:32 AM MST up reply actions

Oh geez?

I hate being right:
From Matchsticks and Gasoline:

5 minutes for that is horse shit.

Betcha Kopitar doesn’t mis a shift. Shoulda been interference and nothing more.

It was 5 because Kopitar played dead. His Jesus-like resurrection was impressive.

I wonder why Sutter was mad at Murray. Must have been the Kopitar fake-injury? That shit is infuriating.

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 31, 2009 11:49 AM MST up reply actions

Ah, of course no one can do any wrong.

Silly Flame fans. Think Phaneuf is going to be suspended for the hit?

Sandie

"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron

by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 12:06 PM MST up reply actions

Honestly?

He was penalized on the play and given a game misconduct…no suspension will follow. But who knows with the NHL.

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 31, 2009 12:23 PM MST up reply actions

That’s what I was thinking. But lately I find that I can never tell what will lead to a suspension or not.

Sandie

"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron

by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 12:26 PM MST up reply actions

Along with all of Anderson's big saves

let’s not forget that HUGE save Cumisky made at the end of the 2nd period, when the puck leaked through Andy’s 5-hole and Cumisky batted it away just before it went over the goal line. I think Roadrunner is off the hook in owing Andy anything after that save. That could have been the goal that would have tied the game. I am really, really glad Cumisky is back in the line-up. Although he may make some rookie mistakes here and there, his reaction time, speed, and alertness in front of the net made the difference in the game last night, especially on that play.

The Avs should also thank Leclaire for this win, because I thought he looked pretty dreadful. If anyone wants to harp on “rebound control,” his performance last night would be a good one to evaluate. 4 goals on 20 shots – not so spectacular.

In conjunction with all the talk of the 3rd period collapes, I would also discuss what is turning into an average of 3 goals against for the Avs. I know somebody had the stats up at one time, but I am sure the bulk of those goals are scored in the 3rd period. IMO that is way too many goals to be regularly scored against them. I am sure if they can figure out how to play a solid game in the 3rd period that should clarify itself.

Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.

by hockeymom on Dec 31, 2009 12:31 PM MST reply actions

Oh

and I was going to mention something about Svatos in my post above, but I completely forgot about it . . . .

Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.

by hockeymom on Dec 31, 2009 1:06 PM MST reply actions

LOLZ!!!

"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.

by gl avfan on Dec 31, 2009 2:53 PM MST up reply actions

Third periods MUST IMPROVE but....

I am really feeling good about our goaltending. Andy and Boods are playing great hockey right now. Clean up the third periods and I am start to feel good about a DEEP PLAYOFF RUN in the Avs future!!!

Go AVS!!!

by Adam Manter on Dec 31, 2009 2:10 PM MST reply actions