Avalanche at Sharks Recap, Avs blow lead, lose 5-4
by Brett Shumway on Dec 15, 2011 11:17 PM MST
in Avalanche Recaps
Email
Print
Gotta love the animosity brewed by home-and-home series. Cody McLeod and Winchester dropped the mitts just over 2 minutes in. Not the greatest fight, and it didn't really matter because after the scrap the Avs turned the puck over twice in about 3 seconds which led to a Ryan Clowe goal. Landeskog lost the puck bringing it up ice, which led to the puck back in the Avs end. Varly tried to play the puck but didn't get much on his pass and it ended up on Couture''s stick. Varlamov scrambled back in net to make the save, but the rebound went right out into the slot and Clowe buried it. Bad set of events early on for the NHL's youngest team. The puck just seemed to bounce on both Landy and Varly (reminds you of all those years playing against Dallas on that crappy excuse for ice they had before their new arena).
The Avs would strike back when the NHL's #1 road powerplay got a chance about 5 minutes in after O'Reilly brought the puck up ice and two Sharks couldn't get it from him so they got frustrated and took a bad penalty. On the powerplay, Stastny won the draw back to Erik Johnson who took a stride towards the middle of the ice and let loose a rocket that Stastny tipped in to knot things up at 1.
The Avs would take a bad penalty of their own just minutes later when Quincey caught the puck in front of Varlamov and threw it up ice. To his credit, he had just blocked a shot, was barely able to stand, and the Sharks were buzzing. It was like a defensive version of a hail mary. Varlamov atoned for his early error and made an insane save on Joe Thornton - who had a wide open net, but somehow Varly got his stick on Thornton's bid and robbed Jumbo Joe blind.
To end the first, Galiardi drew another San Jose undisciplined penalty as he chased the puck through neutral ice and Brent Burns decided he should punch TJ in the face. Bad move Brent. On the PP, Stefan Elliot let go his patented wrister which found it's way through traffic. Niemi made the save, but O'Reilly was in good position and slammed home the rebound. 2-0 Avs. Landeskog made two great plays on the goal: first he defied science and kept the puck in at the blueline with a man hounding him, and then moments later set the screen in front that led to O'Reilly's rebound goal. In case you were wondering, that PP unit was: O'Reilly (20), Landeskog (19), Duchene (20), Elliot (20) and Hejduk (35). The future looks bright in Denver.
Well, it looked bright. The Sharks created a turnover behind the Avs goal and scored less than 2 minutes into the 2nd period. Game tied 2-2. Duchene didn't like that scenario so he decided to channel Forsberg and took the puck behind San Jose's net with one arm on the stick and one arm holding off the defender. Duchene then one hand passed the puck out in front to Stastny who fired a backhander into the back of the net. Beauty. Avs back on top 3-2.
After the Avs killed off a reckless van der Gulik penalty, Ryan Clowe must have said some unkind words about Daniel Winnik's mother because the two dropped gloves and really went at it. Clowe took a plethora of HUGE swings, but luckily his haymakers weren't making much hay. The fight seemingly took Winnik to some kind of zen-like higher plain because with under 2 minutes to go in the same period he put the Avs up by two. The Avalanche worked hard and kept the puck in the Sharks zone for an extended period with great work by Galiardi and van der Gulik (who got an assist on the play), culminating with a perfect pass by Stastny out to Winnik from behind the net. And yes, that tally would give Daniel Winnik a Gordie Howe hat trick (all in one period).
In the third, San Jose turned up the pressure and caused another Avalanche turnover which turned into another Sharks' goal. All three SJ goals were the direct result of Avalanche turnovers. Their 4th goal was simply hard work. Pavelski parked right in front and slammed home a loose puck. As he did on every SJ goal to this point, Varlamov made the first save, but couldn't stop the second chance. And we're tied again 4-4. The tie didn't last long though as Logan Couture tipped a Patrick Marleau shot up and over Varlamov - and just like that, a 2-goal lead gets turned into a 1-goal deficit. 5-4 Sharks.
The Avs threw everything they could at San Jose up to the bitter end (including Elliot making a goal line save), but they couldn't do what San Jose did two nights ago in Denver and get that tying goal in the final seconds. The Avs played two great periods, but failed to match San Jose's desperation in the third and it cost them the game.
- Daniel Winnik 1G, 1A Gordie Howe Hat Trick
- Paul Stastny 2G, 1A (cry all you want, but the Avs are a better team with him in the line up)
- Erik Johnson 1A, led team in hits and TOI
- Landeskog - O'Reilly - Hejduk
- Duchene - Stastny - Winnik
- van der Gulik - McClement - Galiardi
- McLeod - Brophey - Malone
- Quincey - O'Byrne
- O'Brien - Hejda
- Elliot - Johnson
- Varlamov
- Erik Johnson was good in this game (with the exception of a weak ass pass that resulted in a turnover and goal). The funny thing is, he wasn't trying to do anything flashy, he was simply solid all around - which displayed his talent much more impressively than when he tries to do everything himself and the puck ends up in the back of his own net. That's all you gotta do EJ, just be you.
- van der Gulik and Malone both had decent games. Didn't notice Brophey much...
- Duchene's best passing game of the season. Nice to see him using his teammates more.
Semyon Varlamov gets to battle his old mates when the Washington Capitals visit Pepsi Center on Saturday at 7pm. Set your DVR to stun. This is also the day of the "Capitals Schmapitals" meet up. Go Avs!
192 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
The Avs are 2-6 the night before I have a test or exam.
Often I skip studying to watch them play. Clearly I need to study more.
by ExiledAmongYou on Dec 15, 2011 11:21 PM MST reply actions
Sacco looks like he’s fighting the urge to have his head explode in the post game interview. He probably should start saying stuff to the team after losses…
"It's not my fault I never learned to accept responsibility."-Woody Paige
I was sitting behind the bench in last nights game – Sacco wasn’t coaching. At times I wonder if he was even watching.
He’d occasionally say one or two things to Deader. I saw him speak to a player about 3 times. Only one of those was for an extended period (Quincy I think), and the player looked as he had completely zoned him out.
What really surprised me was that Sacco didn’t say, do, or react in any way to the first goal in the third that brought the score to within one. The entire bench at that point looked defeated.
The only time that Sacco showed any interest in the game was about 19:30 into the third when the Av’s couldn’t get out of their own end. Then he was standing on the bench yelling. But otherwise, I’m not even sure if he was watching most of the game.
Nobody. That’s the problem. Or it would be the problem if anybody really cared. Our Avs are not very good again…
"It's not my fault I never learned to accept responsibility."-Woody Paige
I’d have to say that for the last 20 minutes they weren’t very good. The first 40 was another story.
It’s just sad that a young team like this couldn’t build off of those first 2 periods—but then again, it’s coaching and veteran leadership that keeps your foot on the throat of the opposition when you’re up by 2 heading into the 3rd. Last I checked, we’ve got a very small number of vets on this team—coaching has to pick up the slack. But didn’t, are you at all surpised? No mid-period adjustments = no success. Go figure. The Sharks saw that we slipped into “prevent” and decided to really unload and our coaching staff couldn’t see this coming? They couldn’t see that a team on a losing streak would come out hungry and fiesty in the third on home ice? Oh, of course not, because they can’t will our team to do so, why would another team muster the courage?
But it’s one game right? Hopefully they bounce back and win Saturday. Otherwise, we can keep winning one and then losing multiples to ensure that we give away another lottery pick and thoroughly embrace the culture of losing.
by quietstorm560 on Dec 15, 2011 11:42 PM MST up reply actions
Last I checked we have a goalie whose 52nd in sv% for goalies with more than 5gp. I’m pretty sure that’s a huge part of it.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 12:54 AM MST up reply actions
I'm curious.
Why are you so quick to point to random chance to explain the lack of offensive output for the Avs but not to explain the goals against?
I thought Varly was okay. Not great, but okay. It’s hard to fault him on the Handzus, Couture, or Pavelski goals.
by ExiledAmongYou on Dec 16, 2011 2:35 AM MST up reply actions
I think part of his play is explained by random chance, Hell it’s probably a lot random chance. But he hasn’t been very good and he wasn’t very good last night. That first goal was miserable, and the one Elliott bailed him out on was miserable too.
He hasn’t been good in a lot of games this season.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 8:37 AM MST up reply actions
He may not have been The Reason the avs lost, but, as in several games this season, he just doesn’t come up big when his team needs it.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
by SteveHouse on Dec 16, 2011 8:40 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
He gave up a goal almost entirely on his own, the Avs lost by 1 goal. Budaj, Elliott and Anderson (and Theo) were very seldom “the reason” the team ever lost too…
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 8:43 AM MST up reply actions
Budaj, Elliott and Anderson (and Theo) were very seldom "the reason" the team ever lost too…
Pretty sure I disagree with that. The lot of those guys definitely let in a soft goal or three per game at stretches.
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Dec 16, 2011 9:12 AM MST up reply actions
How many losses did we (and I, specifically) go through goal by goal and come up with a list of whose fault the goal was? (too many) Every game was “Well there was soemthing Budaj could have done poorly here, or there, but it’s on the defense too”
Hell, I’ll admit I liked Budaj and was rationalizing through his poor play. I’m sure of it. But it’s easy to do. There were mistakes made by other players on most of the goals, but he didn’t make enough saves.
Right now Valramov is getting lit up so much only Clark Griswald is proud of him.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 9:36 AM MST up reply actions
Budaj, Elliott and Theo are having good seasons. Anderson, not so much.
"It's not my fault I never learned to accept responsibility."-Woody Paige
by GeorgeInLimbo on Dec 16, 2011 10:09 AM MST up reply actions
Yes he did, and the avs were ahead 4-2 after that as well.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
by SteveHouse on Dec 16, 2011 9:16 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
He wasn’t exactly a wall after that either. Unless it was a big rubbery wall with holes in it.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 9:36 AM MST up reply actions
That I do agree with. But he was part of a team meltdown en masse
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
by SteveHouse on Dec 16, 2011 6:43 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
He hasn’t been very good is painting the guy with a broad brush.
I don’t understand why you keep throwing him under the bus so often.
Has he been perfect? No.
Has he been consistently good? No.
You make it sound like he’s been god awful and somehow he’s 52nd in the league for SV% soley because of himself. Did you miss the games where he was the only reason we were in it to begin with yet he still took the loss and hits.
Yeah he’s had bad games, but the team’s let him down FAR more than he has.
Fact is, this team wins when he plays good AND the team plays good. Too often it’s only one or the other, or none. And Varlamov’s save % takes a hit regardless if he has a good game or not. What about that stretch of 6 games where he was great? Or the stretch of 6 to start out?
This team is average and it’s reflected in his record. Varlamov made some dazzling saves in the first two periods, and even in the third. He has the talent, and I for one will throw other players under the bus well before him. Guys like O Byrne, O Brien and Hejda who seemed to be on the wrong end of the highlight reel every game.
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
Seriously, Craig Anderson was getting killed at this point last season and:
He had better record, and stats than Varly,
The Avs were winning games
had actually done something worthwhile in an Avs uniform
Had a worse defense in front of him
Yet he was getting straight up killed here. Varly has been worse, in front of better players and is losing more and everyone’s falling over themselves to justify it.
He’s sucked. He sucked last night,
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 11:25 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
I’ll concede the point on his overall stats, but not the record. Anderson won quite a few games early on last season due to overwhelming goal support. On Varly’s “good” nights, (especially this month) he hasn’t been getting any help at the other end of the rink.
Still, I see your larger point. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire and Varly looks like a fucking chimney on closer inspection.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
That’s a fair point on goal support, but I don’t pay much attention to W/L that for goaltender evaluation much since it’s a team stat. I was mroe getting at, we were winning and everyone was bitching about the goaltending, and we’re losing and everyone’s excusing it. That seems backwards to me.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 12:45 PM MST up reply actions
We need to have a Point/Counterpoint podcast or something about this. You prepare diligently and come at me with stats and shit and I’ll make fun of your clothes and your sister when my clearly under-supported opinions come off like self-righteous facts.
We’ll be working for NBC inside a week.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
by Mike @ MHH on Dec 16, 2011 12:57 PM MST up reply actions 2 recs
Rec’d.
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Dec 16, 2011 1:01 PM MST up reply actions
That slay’d me. +1
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 1:05 PM MST up reply actions
+/- is a bullshit stat
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
Shields up!
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 10:00 PM MST up reply actions
We’ll be working…
Sign me up
…for NBC…
Oh, uuuhhh nevermind.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 1:11 PM MST up reply actions
You prefer CBC? We can hold-out, but I ain’t wearing a flower that many times a year…
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Only If I don’t have to add superflous u’s to my vocabularty
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 1:19 PM MST up reply actions
The only part? I don’t think so. Third Sharks goal = Hejda turnover in our own end. Momentum starts swinging towards the Sharks. Sacco and Co. make no adjustments. You’re telling me that no one on the Avalanche bench forsaw this happening? Goodness, I immediately mentioned it after the Winnik goal—cannot let off the gas with this game. I’m not paid to think like that, but anyone paying attention to the last game would know that the Sharks would be helly desperate to get off of their losing snyde and this period would be the last chance to do so. Yet no adjustments were made. And then Coach couldn’t even talk to the boys after the loss? It is mediocre coaching at the very best.
by quietstorm560 on Dec 16, 2011 3:31 AM MST up reply actions
What adjustments would you suggest Sacco have made?
And don’t give me this crap about “not letting off the gas.” The Sharks are a really good team, and they’re trying to win just as much as the Avs are. Just because they had a better third period than Colorado doesn’t mean that the Avs, or their coaching staff, did anything poorly (necessarily).
You know what this whole “letting off the gas” thing really is? If you’re playing a good team (and post-lockout, parity has meant that pretty much everybody is at least decent), they’ll play with more urgency than you when you’re up in the third. More urgency means they get extended time in your zone, so when you finally get the puck out you can’t do anything but get off the ice. So you dump the puck in from the red line, go off for a change, and the cycle repeats.
This is going to happen when you’re playing a good team. Period. Why else would score effects be a legitimate statistical result? It happens to every team in the league. Not just the Avs.
by ExiledAmongYou on Dec 16, 2011 3:43 AM MST up reply actions
This isn't to say that the Avs weren't to blame for the loss, though.
They lost because they made crucial mistakes in the third (Hejda’s turnover, VDG not tying up Pavelski’s stick, and miscommunication between ROB and Hejda in their defensive coverage on the Couture goal), and because those mistakes ended up in their own net, like every other mistake seems to these days.
They didn’t lose because they “let off the gas.” They didn’t lose because Sacco didn’t make any adjustments. You think he tells his defensemen to stand in front of the net covering nobody in particular, to lackadaisically try to get the puck to winger support, or for backchecking forwards to not bother winning battles in front of the net? Those mistakes are on the players that made them, not on Sacco.
by ExiledAmongYou on Dec 16, 2011 3:59 AM MST up reply actions 4 recs
1st: please point out where I said it was the only part.
2nd: NHL goalies are paid (well) to make tough saves and bail their defensemen out when they make mistakes. Almost any NHL goalie can make easy routine saves, good goalies make tough saves. Even the best NHL teams need bailed out sometimes (or do we all believe Roy never bailed out the Avs?)
Do you know who has the best chance to be a momentum killer on the team? It’s the goalie. Instead Varlamov bailed out his team exactly once last night (a save on Thornton early) and was bailed out exactly once. being even in the “bailed out” department is not good enough for a goalie who cost the Avs a 1st round draft pick and $3M
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 8:42 AM MST up reply actions
Every NHL goalie we’ve had has been paid well, of late, and every one of them has sucked in the past few years. Elliott, Anderson, Budaj, Aebischer…it doesn’t matter, the Avs have brought them all down. I still disagree it’s mostly on Varly. You could use your example of Patrick Roy, and I doubt he’d have success with the current Avs. If I thought the Avs could get better just with better goalie play, I’d agree with you, but I don’t see it. I see turnovers. I see bad puck handling. I see lapses in concentration. I see a lack of passion. I don’t believe Varly has played well, but there’s a slew of reasons, and it isn’t mostly on him. The entire team plays not to lose, which means things like giving up goals when they score, not scoring when the other team scores few. Basically, they don’t control the tempo of the game, the opposition does. Part of the process of a young team, being not as good as many in the NHL, is they make the goalie suffer for it. You keep beating down Varly, but he’s being affected by a lousy team, and I think it’s a fallacy to believe that it is incumbent on the goalie to bail out his team, as much as it is imperative his team plays well in front of him. Goalies can win games for you, and they can bail out a team, but if a team expects that as a general rule just because the goalie gets paid well, then that team will lose, most of the time. You cannot realistically expect a good team to be one because of their goalie, that isn’t how hockey is played.
As far as momentum killing, I’d blame it more on bad penaltys, untimely turnovers, and general lack of skating and lapses of concentration as the biggest culprits, not Varlamov.
...holy freaking f*ck, snakes!
Man, I cannot wait to get a few days off next week and finish up my Avalanche scoring chance research.
LEt me just say, this season, I think you are very very very wrong.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 10:01 AM MST up reply actions
I do find it odd that last season I was one of the few rationalizing Anderson’s bad play away, and this season I’m one of the few calling out Varly’s bad play.
I do not think the Avs are a lousy team. There’s too many statistics that say otherwise…. other than the goaltending.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 10:03 AM MST up reply actions
Jibs, I know you put a lot of stock in the advanced stats, but the eyes and the scoreboard are saying that the Avs cannot shoot the puck and are playing horrendous defense from the goalie out. It’s not bad luck (or Random Chance), it’s bad hockey. Their passing stinks (send and receive), their decisions with the puck are less than stellar, and their play away from the puck is uninspired.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:10 AM MST up reply actions
It’s not just the stats, my eyes tell me the same thing.
. It’s not bad luck (or Random Chance), it’s bad hockey. Their passing stinks (send and receive), their decisions with the puck are less than stellar, and their play away from the puck is uninspired
I don’t see that at all. I mean I do, but I think bad goaltending is bringing all those warts to the surface and making it look more prevalent than it really is. I don’t think the Avs are giving up a significant number of quality scoring chances than any other team in the league. I don’t think they get less than other teams either.
But that’s why I’m doing the research, to see whose eyes are wrong, and who has confirmation bias. Based on preliminary results, I do not think it’s my point of view (I mean partially, but not completely).
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 11:22 AM MST up reply actions
On the first goal by Clowe, you see Varly misplaying the puck, popping out a juicy rebound, and giving the Sharks a goal. I saw the same thing, but that situation is created by Radar making a nice play in the defensive zone, and popping the puck forward to Landeskog, and the Avs are racing through the neutral zone, with a nice 3 on 2 forming, but Landeskog has the puck slip forward, and the bad turnover allows the Sharks to counter quickly, as a play that looked like a nice attack play for the Avs, puts them on their scrambling heels, a huge mindset change on this particular play. While it is true Varly had a terrible play, the point is, it was a team problem. Your eyes probably tell you it was on Varly. Mine says it wasn’t all on Varly, the Landy turnover was just as bad, and in the context of the game, worse than Varly’s play, because if the Avs continued through the neutral zone, there is no chance for Varly to make a bad play. . This is a good example of the Avs not playing a good end to end game, and that lack of detail and execution is a major factor in giving up what is a bad goal by Varly. You see the warts being exacerbated by bad goalie play, and i see the opposite, just like this particular example of how you see it being Varly’s fault, while I see it as the team in front of him playing shitty hockey.
...holy freaking f*ck, snakes!
Here’s the thing: ther goalies are making those saves, covering their team’s faults. It wasn’t all on Varly, most goals aren’t.
But here’s how I liken Varly right now. Every loss and every goal against ins’t his fault per say. But you ever see a bad accident and there’s a driver that, while not their fault, you can’t help but think they could have done more to prevent it. Maybe they were tailgating the guy in front of them stopped in time, but they had to hit the brakes so hard the person behind them smashed them up. That’s exactly how a lot of his goals against are. Sure others are making mistakes, but he’s making them too. And those little mistakes are adding up, big time (and they are showing themselves in the stats)
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 10:06 PM MST up reply actions
Jibs and Bob in Babcock stroll down to the geriatric clinic for some target practice
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Dec 16, 2011 11:16 AM MST up reply actions
I’m creating a database of scoring chances based on NHL.com highlights (which are pretty damn extensive). Counting scoring chances per game, ratio per shot etc. Then I’m going to do the same with the Avs and compare the two
the idea is to see whether the “eyes” of people claiming the Avs are shooting form the perimeter and giving up more quality chances, or if the avs have been a combination of unluucky and bad goaltending.
Preliminary so far, and not a big enough sample size, but the Avs games I’ve seen lead that the latter is the case
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 11:20 AM MST up reply actions
So… you’re idea of research is to go back and see the highlight package and count (arbitrarily I might add) and claim that as research.
Unless there was a surefire way of telling by proper definition what a scoring chance is, that research is flawed.
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
Give me a fucking break. That’s how shots are counted. That’s pretty much how all statistics are done in every scientific field on the planet. By saying that you’re saying statistics are flawed at their very core and that they are never worth looking at.
I’ve outlined my criteria for a scoring chance. I’ve been consistent with it in the counting.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 11:28 AM MST up reply actions
And then Coach couldn’t even talk to the boys after the loss? It is mediocre coaching at the very best.
Just to keep it in context, I watched the Sacco interview last night then read Chambers’s story, and the words in the Post didn’t convey the context of the interview. In the interview, Sacco was asked what he said to the team after the loss, and he said:
I didn’t say anything in the room after. I usually don’t say much after we lose. I don’t like to go in there and say too much after a loss.
I imagine players appreciate that. The way it was written in the Post could be interpreted that he was so mad he didn’t talk to the team. It’s really not mediocre coaching, but sure, keep beating that drum since you’ve obviously got your point that you want to keep pushing whether it makes any actual sense or not.
This team is young, so our coaching staff has to be really careful about how hard they push them. I really like that Sacco doesn’t rag on the team after a loss. Personally, I think it’s a very wise coaching decision on his part. It lets them have some time to digest the lost, to think about it and how they played. The team talk about what went wrong can wait until tomorrow’s practice.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.
The only potential problem with that is that in Duchene, O’Reilly and Landeskog’s career (among other guys that have only known Joe Sacco to this point), they may not have been told enough times that they need to be accountable and have the desire to not make mistakes. At some point you have to have learned from the mistake or it doesn’t matter how the coach handled it.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
I think you can exclude O’Reilly from that list – there is a lot of proof that he takes losses hard and his play this year seems to show that he’s managed to learn from them.
But for the other guys, that scenario is always possible. However, that sort of individual stuff can also be addressed in practice the next day. I’ve never been in the locker room so I of course don’t know what is really going on, but I know with the young teams I have been around, the last thing they want is a coach harping on them right after they lost. They know they fucked up. They need a bit of time to process it before the coach comes in and rips them a new one. If the coach is too hard on them right after a loss, more often than not, it’s conterproductive and is one of the fastest ways a coach can lose the locker room.
Let them sleep on it, THEN lay into them. Spend time the next day going over tape or punishing them in practice. They know they deserve it. These guys are professionals – they get paid to play. They know what the expectations are, even the young ones. You have to hit them when they’re willing to learn from their mistakes, and for most young players, that’s not 5 minutes after a hard loss when they’re tired and pissed. Some may respond well to that, but most just kinda shut down until they sort out their emotions. You aren’t going to make them feel bad – they already do. You’re only going to make them feel worse, make them more nervous to make mistakes next time.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.
Varley had a better save percentage then the opposition last night
by avalanchejef on Dec 16, 2011 7:04 AM MST up reply actions
Niemi sucks too, and he’s still 30th in the league in sv%
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 8:45 AM MST up reply actions
Stop attacking when ahead and goaltending goes on a shitty streak → lose. Gee, whodathunk.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
You’re dead on. And I’m having just a bit of trouble swallowing the whole “we played a great 40 minutes” explanation from this coach. You’re a third into the season, isn’t it time to take accountability for not having them ready to play the “full 60 minutes” ? How do you let that one slip so horrendously?
by quietstorm560 on Dec 16, 2011 12:39 AM MST up reply actions
SJ came out swinging in the third, and all credit to them for it. But when I see the Avs not setting up a forecheck until you’ve entered neutral ice against them, that’s when I as a coach am shouting at my team to put some fuckin pressure on em lets go!
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
This is neither horseshoes, nor hand grenades, nor thermonuclear war.
Almost doesn’t count.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
I disagree. I think it counts. Rebuilding team, in the end it was a disappointment, but, personally, I’ll take away the good things from this game (and I completely understand that not everyone feels that way).
I like seeing Paul Stastny play well. It’s fun, the team usually does pretty well, and it makes me happy when the team does well.
I like seeing The Teej skate like he did two seasons ago, like a lean greyhound going hard and fast to the puck.
I like the way we came back from multiple deficits.
I get the frustration, but I saw more good than bad last night.
by DiD on Dec 16, 2011 10:32 AM MST up reply actions 4 recs
Agree
(other than in the crease)
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 10:34 AM MST up reply actions
However, a “rebuilding” team typically improves in the standings year to year. I don’t see that happening with the Avs at all. I wouldn’t be shocked if they finished second to last in the conference with what they are doing right now. The worst part of it is, despite being at the salary floor and despite being the youngest team in the NHL they should be winning more than they are in my opinion. I’m frustrated and feel like another big losing season is going to put the Avs in the Columbus rebuild mold instead of the Pittsburgh/Chicago/Tampa Bay etc… rebuild mode.
I'll keep this brief.
I will be completely shocked if the Avs finish 2nd to last. Completely shocked. I don’t think this is anywhere near as bad as last season’s second half.
I know people don’t really believe it, but this is a better team than their record. Average goaltending this season and they are in the top 8.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 10:42 AM MST up reply actions
Which begs the question, why aren’t they playing Giggy more? I know they want Varly to be their future, but at what cost? And it’s not like he is improving their draft position …. FML.
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Dec 16, 2011 10:44 AM MST up reply actions
What if they have below average goaltending? Six points out of a playoff spot and they haven’t show any ability to go on a winning streak in literally two years. LITERALLY.
I'll keep this brief.
What if they have below average goaltending?
Then Sherman should be fired for wasting a 1st round draft pick (plus) on a goalie who isn’t very good. That was his gamble.
The Avs are outchancing their opponents. There’s criticisms on Sacco, but as of right now the stuff he has control over isn’t going too badly. The Avs skaters have actually improved….
Saccos biggest flaw is that he hasn’t played Giguere more this season.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 10:52 AM MST up reply actions
Sure was a demoralizing 3rd though. My plan was to watch the 1st downstairs in HD, then watch the last 2 period in bed on my old tube since it was a late game. But they were playing so well that they drew me in and I had to watch it all live in HD. Those 3 quick and seemingly easy goals pretty much ripped my heart out. Why do the Avs hate us?
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Dec 16, 2011 10:37 AM MST up reply actions
Those 3 quick and seemingly easy goals pretty much ripped my heart out.
But is was exciting. Just ask McNab.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Dec 16, 2011 10:43 AM MST up reply actions
Fuck that guy.
Seriously.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
I knew we were in trouble...
While we were up 4-2 McNabb starts crediting the win to SoS.
Funny story that is going to make me sound like burgundy rainbow, again
I was at a black tie event last night and it was extremely formal with regard to conversation; the last thing i ever expected was to have a hockey conversation Near the end of the night I checked my phone and saw that the Avs lost. I must have looked downtrodden and some guy walked up to me and asked which team lost that made me look upset. I explained and he said do you have any good players for the future? I said Yes and mentioned Duchene. He said “Don’t you have the 2nd overall pick playing? He’s good. Don’t you have an Olympic defender? He’s good.”
At this point I am confused and it turns out this guy was not only one of the hosts but wash gigantic Blackhawks fan. He knew all about the Avs and essentially at the end said “the Avs have 7 players who other teams would kill for and most of them can’t legally drink. That’s a future.”
Losing sucks but that dude puts everything in perspective. He also said that in his lifetime the teams who truly scare other fans in the near future are the ones experts ignore. I thought that was an interesting concept. .
A man who stole my whisky used the defense that no one could resist a bottle of Scotch. I had no choice but to testify on his behalf.
by c6hor8 on Dec 16, 2011 6:33 AM MST reply actions 1 recs
The leafs are doomed.
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Dec 16, 2011 6:36 AM MST up reply actions
I was thinking Edmonton, but still funny. His examples were the Blackhawks when Kane and Toews were in their 2nd year and Nordiques in the early 90s. I am not sure I agreed but still.
A man who stole my whisky used the defense that no one could resist a bottle of Scotch. I had no choice but to testify on his behalf.
Through the recent struggles, it’s definitely good to remember that the Avs have a pretty solid core in place. We’ll have plenty to cheer for in the years to come.
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Dec 16, 2011 7:40 AM MST up reply actions
Thanks for this.
He had a good point.
"You're only as good as your coach wants you to be." - Bob Probert
who are the 7 players?
DDC is deeply embedded throughout this blog. For better or worse, his taint taints us all.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 16, 2011 9:30 AM MST up reply actions
Duchene, Landeskog, Duchene, Landeskog, Duchene, Landeskog, and Duchene.
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Dec 16, 2011 9:33 AM MST up reply actions
To be fair, probably O’Reilly too. But his potential upside isn’t as high as our lottery picks.
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Dec 16, 2011 9:35 AM MST up reply actions
Yeah, I get stuck on the 7th one.
Matty, Stastny, Hejduk, Radar, Elliott (good on the host guy if he knew about the rookie), EJ, and Varly would be 7.
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Dec 16, 2011 10:04 AM MST up reply actions
yeah, a nice list. not quite a to kill for list.
DDC is deeply embedded throughout this blog. For better or worse, his taint taints us all.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 16, 2011 10:15 AM MST up reply actions
But we practically killed for Varly?
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Dec 16, 2011 10:34 AM MST up reply actions
so yeah, that might have been an appropriate add
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Dec 16, 2011 12:09 PM MST up reply actions
The things is… I am fine missing the playoffs this year, and waiting for the new CBA to put the rest of the pieces in place.
Just play .500 hockey and put together a short win streak before the end of the season to stay out of the frickin’ basement.
Waiting for the return of a 2012 1st rounder.
I’ll count this season as a success if we finish at or above #20.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.
The great thing about being a pessimist is that one is rarely disappointed.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
by Hopfenkopf on Dec 16, 2011 10:22 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
And happily surprised when things go well!
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Dec 16, 2011 10:26 AM MST up reply actions
It’s true. But a 20th place finish is nothing to scoff at. That would mean that we surpassed NINE teams in a single year. For the youngest team in the league, one that is scarily weak with scoring wingers, that is a major accomplishment. It also means that we aren’t sending a top 10 to Washington. 20th is a realistic expectation for this team and carries with it a ton of positives.
But if we can play like we did in the first two periods last night, I don’t think the playoffs are too far out of reach. We put together a win streak in the next few weeks and a solid second half push and we’re in.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.
We won last night and we were within 4 points… and that stings.
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
Last night does sting
But that was some good hockey.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.
My take on a few players
1) Varley with a horrible turnover. The D probably should have came back to help, but come on that was just bad. At least you made the first save but turn the puck over like that will probably lead to a 2-0 or a 3-0 advantage, so you will need to make a couple of saves there.
2) I will not put the blame on Varley, although he just needs to be better, but San Jose is a really good team, you can’t give those players such great chances, like the first goal, the SOB not coming to the puck that led to the second goal and the Hejda turnover. However, goalie are expected to win games and Varley didn’t.
3) Hejda and SOB, I hope you guys apologized to your team because you guys were flat awful. Elliot bailed out Hejda twice, thats right a rookie, a very offensive minded rookie. Hejda had three horrible turnovers. All right there in front of the net. He has been by far the most disappointing Av for me. SOB, keep watching the game buddy and you will earn a box seat when Wilson gets back. Loved your hit in the first to clear Clowe out of the crease but you can do that more then once.
4) WTF is all this sitting around and letting the play come to you crap in the third. You boys had that game, got to stop doing that. I think the Avs had 1 hit in the third, and you give up 3 goals. That tells me that you guys stopped playing. Play the full 60. It is all right to beat a good team by 5 goals.
5) I do feel really good about the first two periods. We were better. That is a really good team and we played at their level and was beating them very soundly. We can play with the things, the adjectives, the sharks, Blackhawks, Blues and Penguins. Why can we not play this well against our own division!
6) Sherman a first and a second. Why no goalie coach!
A critical play that no one has mentioned: The icing that caused Sacco to use his timeout. The Avs desperately needed a timeout after the 3rd San Jose goal. Now, whether Sacco would have used it then is open to debate, but this young team had started scrambling and was breaking down into a bunch of individuals. Team defense had gone out the window.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
Another year, another running joke about the Avs needing to have a second first period or a third first period instead of a second period or a third period.
It doesn’t matter who is on the ice over those three years. Sacco gets these guys ready for 2/3s of a game.
4th biggest pessimist of MHH.
"There's always next season." -- Jimmy Howard on not winning the Calder Trophy.
It was only the last 7 minutes that they sucked.
Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
Mile High Hockey
The Hockey Writers
by Cheryl Bradley on Dec 16, 2011 11:17 AM MST up reply actions
Space bug, is this a reference to Ender’s game or Starship Troopers?
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 1:07 PM MST up reply actions
would have helped had I read it right.
(I just read Ender’s game this week. I enjoyed it thoroughly)
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 1:09 PM MST up reply actions
I’ve been considering that as my next e-book purchase.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Very easy read, but some really good stuff in there. I enjoyed it.
Based on this website from what I assume is 1998, it’s the best Sci Fi book of all time
I haven’t read all (or most of those) but I have read : Brave New world, Hitchikers guide, Jurrasic Park, & Cat’s Cradle and I thought BNW, Hitchiker & Cat’s Cradle were better. But It was certainly a good book.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 1:18 PM MST up reply actions
You know what sucks the most about last night’s collapse? EVERYBODY IN THE DIVISION (that played) LOST.
Opportunity missed.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
This team cant win critical games. Time and time again they cant get it done.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Dec 16, 2011 9:31 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
also, Avs have lost 9 straight on the road. After starting 6-0, they are 6-8-1
DDC is deeply embedded throughout this blog. For better or worse, his taint taints us all.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 16, 2011 9:33 AM MST up reply actions
The first 6 on the road were against Eastern Division teams. They don’t really count because they don’t have the Western Conference’s secret recipe for killing the Avs.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 9:53 AM MST up reply actions
Coaching?
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
I’m wondering if the players are sticking to the game plan. It seems that when they do (first Chicago, Detroit, prior San Jose), they do pretty well. Last night the wheels fell off after the 3rd SJ goal, and the kids started running around under the pressure.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:15 AM MST up reply actions
I definitely believe a young team can lose their game plan, and the Avs have lapses, when pressured, where they become scrambling kids on ice. I think the opposing coaches preach patience for their own teams, against us, and tell them the Avalanche will have a time in the game they will get lost, to wait for it, and attack hard, when that happens.
...holy freaking f*ck, snakes!
If EJ and Hedja keep playing cute and soft while trying to get the fricken puck out from deep in our zone, expect more games like last night. I couldn’t believe how many times they turned the puck over deep with just absolutely brain dead plays. Wtf guys?
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
The Altiboobs were all over Johnson’s jock through two periods, completely ignoring his culpability on the 2nd goal. I’m guessing you and I are two of the few that wish they would just skate the damn puck up the ice and start a fucking breakout on occasion.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
I thought Johnson did some things well last night. Getting the puck out of our zone wasn’t one of them. I’m not on the fire Sacco bandwagon, but would it kill us to get a new D coach?
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Dec 16, 2011 10:04 AM MST up reply actions
Calendar year
We broke the calendar year mark on back to back regulation win drought.
Avs beat Chicago December 13th 7-5. And then beat Chicago again on December 15th 4-3.
These are the facts of the case and they are undisputed.
I'll keep this brief.
Sharks Goal Summary
1. Landeskog turnover at defensive blueline leads to dump in on Varlamov. Varlamov makes bad pass for second turnover, stops first shot, goal on the rebound.
2. Johnson weak pass behind the net to a slow moving O’Brien for the turnover. Man left unchecked low in the slot by Hejduk. Goal.
3. Hejda turnover in the corner, pass to defenseman coming down slot, Varlamov makes first save, goal on the rebound. Entire forward corps was headed for the offensive end or a line change while puck was below goal line with pressure.
4. O’Byrne and VDG both fail to tie up Pavelski in front of the net. Varlamov makes first save on Demurs, goal on the rebound by Pavelski. Second defenseman is not even in the picture, and no one is checking Demurs in the left circle.
5. Stastny drops his stick (broken?), cannot pressure Boyle on point. D to D pass, then pass to Marleau (unchecked, came from Stastny’s side). Hejda allows Couture to stand in front of Varlamov with his stick free. Goal from left circle (deflection, Couture).
Every one of these goals had at least two significant mistakes before the shot hit the twine. The only goal I hang primarily on Varlamov is the first one since he was responsible for one of the turnovers that led to the goal. Overall poor team defense. Opportunistic offense by SJS.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
Every offense has been opportunistic on Varlamov this season…
goal on the rebound
You said that quite often above.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 10:35 AM MST up reply actions
Rebounds
First goal he was scrambling to get back into the net after playing the puck poorly, was lucky to stop the first shot. Off balance for the rebound. Mucho badness there.
Third goal, shot was low into the pads, good offensive play by Burns.
Fourth goal Varlamov is screened, low shot into pads by Marleau (basically a bounce pass to Pavelski)
The third and fourth goals were due to poor defensive pressure, not because Varlamov gave up the rebound.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 10:40 AM MST up reply actions
FWIW: This sounds exactly like what I (and others, but I spearheaded it) about Budaj and Anderson.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 10:43 AM MST up reply actions
Stepping back a little, look how well Elliott is performing in St. Louis. Theodore is now serviceable in Florida. Anderson was fine in Ottawa until they (over) paid him. Ex-Colorado goalies seem to do better after they leave. What that says to me is that the team defense played by the Avs sucks. The lack of an on-site full-time goalie coach isn’t helping either.
On the third goal after the Hejda turnover in the corner (a pretty safe place for a turnover, generally speaking), the entire forward corps are outside of the defensive zone. WTF? I could swear that Stewie was back. There seemed to be no awareness of the situation. It’s the goddamn 3rd period and you are up by two goals. PLAY SMART DEFENSIVE HOCKEY! Don’t go running for the opposite net when the puck is below the goal line.
I also don’t think the “system” is the problem. I think the guys are not running it when they get pressured. On the second goal, Hejduk has responsibility for the front of the net. He leaves a man in the slot to become the 3rd man on the puck. Is that a good choice? Does it show trust in your teammates? We need our captain and veteran leaders to do their jobs, and to keep the kids focused on doing theirs. After the 3rd goal, everyone was running around trying to do every job but their own. If Sacco still had his timeout, that would have been the time to use it.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:01 AM MST up reply actions
Stepping back a little, look how well Elliott is performing in St. Louis. Theodore is now serviceable in Florida. Anderson was fine in Ottawa until they (over) paid him. Ex-Colorado goalies seem to do better after they leave. What that says to me is that the team defense played by the Avs sucks. The lack of an on-site full-time goalie coach isn’t helping either.
Every single person who was responsible for Theodore’s play here is gone now. The coaching staff, the defensemen, everyone. The only thing that the defense in front of him has in common with Varlamov, Anderson & Elliott, is the uniform.
In fact, the only defenseman on the roster now who was here for Anderson’s 1st season is Quincey & Wilson. So making comparisons between their time as Avs, and their time elsewhere is kind of strange no?
And I’m not saying the Avs don’t make turnovers and mistakes. Of course they do. they made some last night that led to goals. My point is that every single team in the league gives up chances, and bad ones at that. Even the very best teams give up chances. I’m not saying the Avs don’t make terrible turnovers. They do. Hejda’s was awful last night.
What I’m saying is this: When the Avs do make turnovers, they are ending up in the back of the net more frequently than when other teams make the same turnovers. A lot more frequently.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 11:35 AM MST up reply actions
When the Avs do make turnovers, they are ending up in the back of the net more frequently than when other teams make the same turnovers. A lot more frequently.
Looks like another dissertation topic.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:37 AM MST up reply actions
Well, That’s what I’m researching…
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 11:40 AM MST up reply actions
I hope that didn’t come across as flippant. It wasn’t meant to be.
It would be my hypothesis that a large percentage of all goals come off turnovers. A turnover is the unexpected event that blows all of your preparation out the window, and forces you to scramble to recover. The goalie is the last line of defense, so a hot goalie can make a big difference, but so can a forward corps that plays in the zone while the puck is below the goal line. Hejda made a bad turnover, but if everyone had still been in their positions, it likely would have turned out better for the Avs.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:44 AM MST up reply actions
It did not come across as flippant.
I am not counting how goals come off of (sometimes in the NHL highlight it’s not long enough to see when and where the turnover was commited, so I think doing that would be a flawed task anyways)
But I think those numbers will come through in the research I am doing. if a forward is dropping down low to cover, the team likely won’t get a good scoring chance and I won’t count it. His stick will be tied up and there will be no shot, or something along those lines. (For example Malone backchecked last night and tied up a Sharks stick and the puck went to the corner, that won’t be counted, and probably won’t even be in the highlights anyways)
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 12:00 PM MST up reply actions
That was a hell of a play by Malone. Saved a sure goal into an empty net.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 12:02 PM MST up reply actions
Serious questions about your research. Will it include how often the opposing team is standing in front of net? It seems as if the size of the defense hasn’t borne fruit of knocking the opposition back. Again it seems as if the Avs give more goals up in this manner.
Also will there be a “grading curve”? Based on age and NHL experience in your findings and conclusions for save% ?
Seems a lot of the optimism about this team is how young they are, but somehow Varly gets forgotten in his youth.
In unison: "Wonder twin powers Activate!" Varly: "Form of Goal"; Giggy: "Shape of Tending."
Serious questions about your research. Will it include how often the opposing team is standing in front of net?
No, but if the other team is knocking guys on their asses, they aren’t getting scoring chances, so it’s indirectly included in the numbers.
Also will there be a "grading curve"? Based on age and NHL experience in your findings and conclusions for save% ?
There’s no grades. I am strictly counting scoring chances, and comparing them to the rest of the league. It’s a much more monumental task than I envisioned when I started it already. But it’s certainly a point of discussion once I “publish” my results.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 12:26 PM MST up reply actions
I give your methodology a B+.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
not an A-? That’s horseshit.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 10:07 PM MST up reply actions
You're not a girl.
Therefore, you cannot get an A-
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.
It’s the goddamn 3rd period and you are up by two goals. PLAY SMART DEFENSIVE HOCKEY!
OBJECTION!! That is the exact opposite of “keeping your foot on the gas!!” as opined by a host of opinionistas around here.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Play smart defensive hockey by playing offense.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 1:06 PM MST up reply actions
Ohh, they were offensive, just at the wrong end of the ice!!!!!
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Rushing out of the defensive end before possession is fully established is definitely offensive.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 2:24 PM MST up reply actions
I don't have a link
but Mike Milbury was just charged with assaulting a 12-year old
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 10:36 AM MST reply actions
12 yr olds can be pretty annoying.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Dec 16, 2011 10:44 AM MST up reply actions
I can’t imagine a 12 year old Bostonian I wouldn’t want to punch
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 10:50 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
If the kid had a winged wheel or forested cougar head jersey on, he had it coming. Otherwise, I hope Milbury rots in prison.
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Dec 16, 2011 10:53 AM MST up reply actions
The “wussification” of hockey continues. Let your kid look after himself on the ice, Mike. He doesn’t need daddy to fight his battles for him. Save that for the NHL and you can be his enforcer.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:20 AM MST up reply actions
If he gets fired from his analyst gigs b/c of this, the hockey world will not suffer for it.
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Dec 16, 2011 11:28 AM MST up reply actions
I honestly like his contrarian viewpoint. I don’t agree, but it gives people something to talk about, and it makes everyone step back and examine their own position. There’s not enough of that in the world.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:30 AM MST up reply actions
Dan would be a lot cheaper and a whole lot more entertaining.
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Dec 16, 2011 11:41 AM MST up reply actions
Point well made.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:47 AM MST up reply actions
i worked way too long on this.
I'll keep this brief.
by Dario on Dec 16, 2011 11:31 AM MST reply actions 4 recs
Let’s turn this baby green in honor of the season.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:34 AM MST up reply actions
Is it Whoville? Please make Enos the grinch. Pretty please?
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Dec 16, 2011 11:34 AM MST up reply actions
Is this a frame from “How the Kroneke Stole Hockey”?
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:35 AM MST up reply actions 3 recs
Enos: “I took away his competitive hockey team and McNab is still singing.”
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Dec 16, 2011 11:48 AM MST up reply actions
“Maybe Hockey,” he thought, "doesn’t live by the score.
“Maybe Hockey…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
And what happened then…?
Well…in Denver they say
That the Kroneke’s small heart
Grew three sizes that day!
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:52 AM MST up reply actions 3 recs
Guess whose line got absolutely CRUSHED last night?
Not sure if I’ve seen Corsi numbers that bad from any of our lines in any game this season.
http://timeonice.com/shots1112.php?gamenumber=20460
I think Young Master Landeskog might be hitting the rookie wall, with only 1 goal in his last 24 games. Is it time to put The Fixer (Winnik) back on that line?
I hadn’t looked at those yet. How did they compare to Tuesdays game
That said, it’s hard to remember that the Sharks are a very very good hockey team. There’s not a lot of shame in losing to them.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 11:41 AM MST up reply actions
Here’s the previous game against San Jose, where presumably the same lines matched up against each other (although I haven’t verified that). Not nearly as lopsided as it was last night.
I wonder if the assumption about line match-ups is true. The Avs had last substitution in the first game, and SJS had it last night.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:49 AM MST up reply actions
My wife has taught me well.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 11:54 AM MST up reply actions
Looks like O’Reilly’s line was facing Marleau – Couture – Clowe last night and Pavelski – Thornton – Mitchell on Monday night. I don’t know – does that even make sense? I watch the damn Avs so closely that I’m not always focused on the other team, so I don’t always know their line combos.
Anyway, here are the numbers.
Monday night:
http://timeonice.com/H2H1112.html?GameNumber=20447&submit=Go
Last night:
http://timeonice.com/H2H1112.html?GameNumber=20460&submit=Go
Makes some sense. The Clowe goal came off a sequence that started with a Landeskog turnover. The Couture goal had Stastny on the ice, but Clowe had either gone off or hadn’t made it on yet. The Burns goal shows Landeskog gliding down to the high slot after the puck went in, Havlat made the steal on Hejda and the feed to Burns, but Marleau and Couture were on the ice.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 12:13 PM MST up reply actions
Hmm
Will have to look at these when I get home
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 11:55 AM MST up reply actions
A Few Thoughts
1) Overall, we didn’t look that bad in the 3rd, SJ just wanted it more. We made a few mistakes – a few more than in the first two periods – and they capitalized. I don’t think you can blame Sacco at all for the 3rd. It wasn’t a system breakdown this game. It was individual mental lapses that cost us the two points.
2) We actually played extremely well last night. It’s frustrating that we lost, but there were a TON of positives to take from that game. If we play like that, we won’t win them all, but we’ll win most. Especially in the first two periods, I felt like I was watching the team from this time last year. That was some fun, fun hockey. And it was against a Western team! More of that please!
3) Duchene + Stastny = chemistry. Duchene + chemistry = playing like he’s having fun. Duchene + fun = goals for him or his line. Duchene + 3 goals for his line = a win 90% of the time. Dutchy, this is why we love you. Do this again for the rest of the season, and we will do our best to appease the hockey gods so Stastny doesn’t get hurt again. Anyone have a goat we could sacrifice?
4) Elliott – wow. The kid is 100% NHL ready. His shot is gorgeous and that move to keep the puck out of the net? Yeah, that was nice. He had some good defensive moves as well. There were a few turnovers that lead to scoring chances, but overall, I <3 our other rookie. Hot damn, we cleaned up at that ‘09 draft, and we’ve not even seen Barrie play yet!
5) Varly just about gave me a heart attack most of the game. Not his best. Not his worst either (he recovered and looked good in the 2nd), but we all know he can be better. But goalies are streaky by nature, and when you add in the fact that ours is the 2nd youngest starter in the league, that gets even worse. But for the love of Roy can we please get him a coach?
6) FINALLY EJ is back to looking like himself! I thought he had that goal there. If he just settles down and shoots more, good things will happen. Gali is back to looking like Gali, and Stastny looks like Stastny again. Winnik’s Gordie Howe was AWESOME! and he’s playing well right now too. Still don’t think him and Gali are Top 6, but put them on the 3rd with McC and that’s a 3rd line that could play on a contender.
7) D-zone turnovers have to stop. Fix those, and we’ll be a much better team. But our passing last night, especially through the neutral zone, looked sharp. We passed well in their end as well. For the first two periods, we even managed to control the tone of the game. Our PK and PP were solid. After almost a full calendar year, it’s coming together again!
8) Landy’s been quite lately on the score sheet. I would like for him to get a goal. He’s not been playing badly, he just hasn’t been putting them home. As much as I like Duke on that line, maybe it’s time to reunite the Thirst Line. However, for next game, I’d like to see Winnik stay with the top line.
9) Ryan O’Reilly is becoming the backbone of this team, that consistent force that will quietly make good things happen every night. But I would argue that Duchene is the spirit of the group. When Duchene plays with confidence, the entire team seems to. When he’s flat (like he pretty much has been for a full calendar year), the team fails. Like mentioned above, he’s getting into a groove with Stastny and having fun, something that’s not really happened since Flash left. That alone is reason for me to be excited. When Duchene’s happy, this team seems to be happy.
10) Since we can’t seem to get wins on the road AND at home, I’m happy we’re headed back to the Pepsi Center. If we can string together a few against these upcoming teams (the surprisingly lack-luster Caps, the HBO Flyers, the team we seem to usually beat just because that’s what we do, and the struggling Bolts), we’ll be doing well. If we figure out how to play for 60 minutes like we did for the first 40 last night, I think we’ll win most of those.
11) We played last night with 4 call-ups on our roster. The call-ups seem to bring good energy to the team, but not great skill (Elliott excluded). If we can figure out a way to play with that kind of energy when players like Jones and Wilson come back to the lineup, this team could make something of itself.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.
7) D-zone turnovers have to stop. Fix those, and we’ll be a much better team. But our passing last night, especially through the neutral zone, looked sharp. We passed well in their end as well. For the first two periods, we even managed to control the tone of the game. Our PK and PP were solid. After almost a full calendar year, it’s coming together again!
I thought it was interesting in the Northwest thread to see that Minnesota’s goals-for is exactly the same as the Avs. Their GA is quite a bit better. That’s the difference between the top of the conference and the basement.
I’m so very happy to see Galiardicus again. I missed him.
Anyone have a goat we could sacrifice?
I think Jibs has Varlamov cleaned up and tethered out back.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 16, 2011 12:16 PM MST up reply actions
Nah
I tried to tranq him to capture him, but the darts missed him.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 12:23 PM MST up reply actions
And went into the net.
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Dec 16, 2011 1:23 PM MST up reply actions
andidee’s thoughts go to 11.
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Dec 16, 2011 1:24 PM MST up reply actions
I tried to keep it at 10, but I couldn’t. There was a lot to think about after this game.
Now if I could only find a way to get my sarcasm meter to go to 11, we’d be good. I think it’s permanently stuck on 8.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.
We actually played extremely well last night. It’s frustrating that we lost
We’re finding ways to lose.
We play poorly, we lose.
We play well, we lose.
We’re low enough in the standings as it is, and it stings when you play well and still lose…
Stastny+Duchene activated beast mode in that game.
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
They were fun to watch, that’s for sure. If they can keep that up, wins will come.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.
Except do we know if they’re going to come out like that again lol…
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
They’ve been getting better and better together over the past few games. It started with NJ – something just started to click. I think they’ve got it figured out and as long as the two of them can stay healthy, we’re in good shape. We’ll be seeing more of this “beast mode” this year.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.
Because I've been negative Nancy this morning, here's some positive:
Watching Elliot shoot wristers from the point is an absolutle joy to behold. Lidstrom has gotten a ton of points because he knows when to shoot and makes sure it gets to net (i.e. not blocked), and Elliott has that same ability. His shot almost never gets blocked, at least not until 2-3 feet out.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 1:29 PM MST reply actions
Now the bad
Why I’m hard on Varly:
- of games with a save % under .900 so far this season: 11
- of games under .900 for Budaj in the season that shan’t be named: 25.
He’s on pace for it.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 1:31 PM MST up reply actions
so do you think this trade was a good trade. I have been on the record as saying it was not but I kinda feel that I have been the only one,
by avalanchejef on Dec 16, 2011 9:57 PM MST up reply actions
As of right now? unquestionably no. It’s a long term trade, and I’ll let it play out.
That said, I’ve always said the best they can do is break even. If Varly is great, they break even. If he’s bad they lose, so in that sense it’s not a very good trade. But I don’t think you should ever trade much of value for goaltending. You can always get decent goaltending in Free agency. Vokoun could have been had for only $, and while he’s playing like shit too at least he wouldn’t have cost a draft pick.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 16, 2011 10:09 PM MST up reply actions
would you trade Evander Kane for Varley? Serious question.
I don’t think I would.
I'll keep this brief.
If winnipeg offered E. Kane for Varly, I would take that deal in a heartbeat
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 17, 2011 8:35 AM MST up reply actions
get ready to be jealous!
Sandie and I went on the Pepsi Center tour and our guide was thrilled with our enthusiasm and knowledge of hockey. So being the super cool that he – Eric – is, he took us rinkside and let us watch the Avs practice for about 15 min. Then got to watch Caps later on. (Gali and O’Brein were checkin us out, too!)
Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
Mile High Hockey
The Hockey Writers
by Cheryl Bradley on Dec 17, 2011 1:16 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Mile High Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
