Avalanche at Ducks, Game 40 Preview
by A.J. Haefele on Dec 31, 2011 10:02 AM MST
in Avalanche Previews
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It took long enough, eh? The Avalanche are finally back to being the Avalanche we all know and love where injuries start to rear their ugly head around the turn of the calendar and look fit to totally doom our season and drive some of us into more even more frequent drinking binges (uhh...thanks, Avs). Matt Duchene's ultra mysterious "out at least a month" diagnosis is about the best I could have hoped for and it still doesn't leave me with any confidence we'll see the same Dutchy we've grown accustomed to. On the upside, maybe he'll realize he's a hockey player and not a spinning top with ice skates and a hockey stick?
Ahhh, yes. The Avs have a game tonight on this lovely conclusion of 2011. As we descend into the madness that will bring about the end of all days in 2012, I'm pretty nervous about this game. The Ducks have been so bad this season they're only one point ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the standings. Their goal differential, -35, is good for dead last in the NHL. The only teams who have scored fewer goals than the Ducks are the Los Angeles Kings (wtf?) and the New York Islanders (this one makes sense, I guess). The only teams to have given up as many goals as Anaheim? Those same BJs, the Carolina Hurricanes, and Craig Anderson. Their star player and reigning NHL MVP Corey Perry has just 29 points in 36 games. Star forward Ryan Getzlaf has scored 2 goals since October 27th, a stretch of 27 games. He's their third leading scorer. They've been so bad, when you go to their official site the Kings logo takes up just as much space and leaves you confused as to which site you're on.
Why does all of this have me absolutely terrified? Because I'm an Avalanche fan and everything we've learned about this franchise over the last couple of years screams "PREPARE FOR DISAPPOINTMENT" on this eve of permanent page turning.
Here's to hoping the end of 2011 kick starts my belief in 2012.
Go Avalanche.
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oh, I get it
IDK, I think the cleverness got wrapped up too much inside an enigma, within a dream, inside a palindrome. Graphic may confuse readers IMO. Good effort though!
"Put stick on ice, put puck in net"
by HeyPeterman on Dec 31, 2011 10:47 AM MST up reply actions
Uh, LUCY!
Yus got som splainin ta do.
Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.
Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.
I’m confused…
Whiskey tends to make me high, and sad songs make me cry. Pretty women break my heart almost every night. I run on beans and nicotine; I'm a real, live buckaroo. And my heart's not pure, my boots ain't clean, and I never tell the truth.
read the entire thing, it will become clear
"Put stick on ice, put puck in net"
by HeyPeterman on Dec 31, 2011 10:48 AM MST up reply actions
No, reading the entire thing was what confused me. But I’m better now. It’s tonight’s preview with Monday’s graphic.
Whiskey tends to make me high, and sad songs make me cry. Pretty women break my heart almost every night. I run on beans and nicotine; I'm a real, live buckaroo. And my heart's not pure, my boots ain't clean, and I never tell the truth.
That’s just laughable.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
Shannaban is as big a joke as his predecessor….
Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.
Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.
by Americanario on Dec 31, 2011 11:29 AM MST up reply actions
That’s more than I thought he’d get, honestly.
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 31, 2011 11:30 AM MST up reply actions
I think it’s the maximum fine allowed under the CBA without a suspension.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 31, 2011 11:45 AM MST up reply actions
meh, better than nothing
Cap Floor Team = Cap Floor Results
by Cole D Hamilton on Dec 31, 2011 2:25 PM MST up reply actions
Won't be here for this one
for those of you that will be, have fun, for those that will be out, stay safe and have a happy new years!
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
I'm making sure not to miss this one
Last time I missed, Duchene tore up his knee, Hejda got elbowed in the dome, and the game culminated in Shane O’Brien rifling pucks at the other team as the game ended. Can’t take this risk again lol
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
well then sir, if you miss another game you may get mauled by us, heh
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Dec 31, 2011 11:34 AM MST up reply actions
I’ll be there! Literally!
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 31, 2011 11:38 AM MST up reply actions
Trying to untwist my few remaining braincells as a result of the Kings logo for a preview against the Ducks….and failing miserably (and yes, I did read the entire article).
ANYway, hopefully the Avs do well tonight, won’t be able to catch it as I’ll be people-watching on the 16th St Mall before a concert at Quixotes Tru Blue. Hey, NYE comes once a year, the Avs play 82 times every season, do the math…lol. Don’t worry, thanks to the Light Rail, I won’t be driving. ;-)
Hope Duchene doesn’t have any set-backs during his recovery and the rest of the team steps-up and grabs a W tonight. :-D
"They called tripping!? Where did THAT happen?"
"On the ice."
".........my...brain hurts...."
by StoneCutter013 on Dec 31, 2011 12:21 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Oh the “have fun” part is guaranteed….remembering all of it? Well, that’s another matter…lol.
"They called tripping!? Where did THAT happen?"
"On the ice."
".........my...brain hurts...."
by StoneCutter013 on Dec 31, 2011 2:11 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
It's already the New Year here.
425 am. Hope you all have a great new year and enjoy the festivities.
The reason I'm in town, in case you're wondering, is because of a Kansas City Shuffle.
Times
Keep in mind that not only is the graphic mixed up, but tonight’s game is at 6 p.m. Mountain time.
4th biggest pessimist of MHH.
"There's always next season." -- Jimmy Howard on not winning the Calder Trophy.
To avoid further confusion…and because i don’t get the joke…I’m correcting the graphic to the right one.
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 31, 2011 12:58 PM MST up reply actions
Awww
no fun? I don’t know. I kinda wanted this game time tonight.
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2011 1:47 PM MST up reply actions
So, Jonesy in, Dutchy out, and Jiggy in net. Should be an interesting night.
Hopefully Altitude will show something on Jiggy’s time in ANA. He is their Roy, and they don’t seem to have any hard feelings towards him. Quite the opposite, in fact. I guess they’re doing a video presentation about him in the arena before the game starts, and he’s pretty thrilled to be going back. I just hope that his old team waits one more game before breaking out – the Avs could really use 2 pts here.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
Podein playing in the WC alumni game. Still looks pretty good.
4th biggest pessimist of MHH.
"There's always next season." -- Jimmy Howard on not winning the Calder Trophy.
love it. what a champ
Cap Floor Team = Cap Floor Results
by Cole D Hamilton on Dec 31, 2011 2:27 PM MST up reply actions
Nice story by Terry Frei about Duchene
Many of you have probably seen this already, but if you haven’t, it’s worth checking out. Interesting that he openly talks about how much he needs to improve, especially on D. Sounds like he’s a really hard worker, I’m sure he’ll improve in the future.
http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2011/12/31/matt-duchene-and-adversity/9276/
Good interview, his comment about losing sleep made me lift my eyebrows a bit. I had a hunch that he’s fully committed to rounding-out his game based on his attitude, but it’s another to see him say how deep that goes. I just hope he doesn’t become frustrated and the rest of his game suffers. I think Paul has a steadying influence on him, though.
SOOO glad to have Matty on the team! :-D
"They called tripping!? Where did THAT happen?"
"On the ice."
".........my...brain hurts...."
by StoneCutter013 on Dec 31, 2011 3:36 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
I like how he said that he and Paul think so much alike. I was against the idea originally, but I’m really beginning to like the idea of Duchene as Stastny’s wing long-term. I know you can’t build around a wing, but O’Reilly/Stastny as our 1-2 punch with Duchene as our star winger/PP quarterback doesn’t seem like a terrible idea.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
Fuck Shannahan. Fuck Torres and fuck the overall fuckery and suckiness that has been 2011.
2012 WILL be better.
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
lol
I went to sleep and there was no graphic. Apparently there was a Kings graphic for a while? Oh, you silly editors and your tinkering ;P
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.
Mile High Hockey : Where B- is different than C+
LOL
Blame DDC.
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2011 3:26 PM MST up reply actions
I would've been happy
to just put a Duck Hunt picture up :p
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.
Mile High Hockey : Where B- is different than C+
by A.J. Haefele on Dec 31, 2011 3:51 PM MST up reply actions
LOL
That’d be awesome. GO GO GO
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2011 4:00 PM MST up reply actions
Duck Season
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Dec 31, 2011 4:36 PM MST up reply actions
WABBIT SEASON!!
"They called tripping!? Where did THAT happen?"
"On the ice."
".........my...brain hurts...."
by StoneCutter013 on Dec 31, 2011 5:03 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
So, I’ll be in and out of the thread tonight. Watching both the Avs game and the USA-Canada game.
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2011 3:26 PM MST reply actions
A game that no longer matters since the US choked their way basically out of the tournament
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
Matters to me? I like seeing the young guys, and learning about them before they make the jump. Plus, it’ll be chippy as hell.
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2011 3:35 PM MST up reply actions
I knew you liked younger men, but goodness Sandie :)
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
LOL
Actually I tend to like guys who are in the 6-14 years older than me range. I tend to date younger though. Don’t ask me how that works- I don’t know.
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2011 5:13 PM MST up reply actions
Anyone watching the Finland game…. that Sami kid’s not bad…
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
THE SAMI
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.
Mile High Hockey : Where B- is different than C+
by A.J. Haefele on Dec 31, 2011 3:51 PM MST up reply actions
This is a blatant to the elbow to the head from the repeatingest of repeat offenders.
Torres earned a four-game suspension for a hit on Jordan Eberle just last April, and he escaped supplementary discipline for his concussion-inducing hit on Brent Seabrook less than a month later only after the NHL iterated their alternative notion of what goes on behind the net.
And frankly, having watched Torres play over 100 games in Vancouver last season, by the standards Shanahan has set this year, the winger would have accrued a healthy number of fines, at the very least. He’s not a malicious player, but he’s a reckless player, especially considering the hitter’s body he’s been blessed with. It is, unfortunately, not paired with a hitter’s common sense.
Take another look at the hit. It’s avoidable with even an ounce of thought. Torres comes from a long distance away, he leads with his elbow, and contact is to the head. You could argue that Hejda puts himself in a prone position after losing his balance making the pass and dropping to his knees, but Torres still has plenty of time and space to react to that and he doesn’t.
This is an easy call, especially by the precedents Shanahan has established this year. But he got it wrong.
- Harrison Mooney from PuckDaddy
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
YEP
I watched him play A LOT in Edmonton. He isn’t a clean player at all.
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2011 4:01 PM MST up reply actions
Never has been, never will be. Which is why this decision is a head scratcher. Shanny has been making some big ones lately…his tough stance seems to be softening
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
Well, there goes the question of “What will Shanny do when it’s the playoffs or it’s a star…”
New regime my ass… it’s fucking pathetic how much politics play into giving out suspensions.
Then again, this has nothing to do with politics, just a blown call… how is it a wreckless player like him gets away with shit… I don’t even care, but I hope he get’s fucking steamrolled next time we play… and those fucking cowards waited til the end of the game to start shit.
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
Yeah
I didn’t at all think it was going to be a suspension because it wouldn’t have been a (boom) headshot without Hejda realizing skating is hard but he had to be punished somehow because the hit happened like 35 seconds after the play had gone the other way. Straight silly.
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.
Mile High Hockey : Where B- is different than C+
by A.J. Haefele on Dec 31, 2011 4:15 PM MST up reply actions
Corey Perry/Nicklas Lidstrom Honda commercial
Is awesome.
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
Bernie?
4th biggest pessimist of MHH.
"There's always next season." -- Jimmy Howard on not winning the Calder Trophy.
by Dixomatic on Dec 31, 2011 4:28 PM MST reply actions 4 recs
lol
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.
Mile High Hockey : Where B- is different than C+
by A.J. Haefele on Dec 31, 2011 4:35 PM MST up reply actions
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