Avalanche at Blues Recap: Blues dominate Avs, 4-0
by Cheryl Bradley on Jan 7, 2012 9:25 PM MST
in Avalanche Recaps
Email
Print
This was an ugly game for the Avalanche. Slow legs, poor decisions, bad penalties all mired the first half, and the Avs found themselves down 4-0 before they even really hit the ice. About halfway through the second, the team finally showed some life, but by then, it was way too little way too late. If not for some seriously awesome play by Jean-Sebastien Giguere, the score would have been much, much worse.
The nightmare all started when Kyle Quincey lost control of the puck behind the Avs net, and TJ Oshie sent it home to put the Blues up 1-0 under 4 minutes into the game. Shortly thereafter, Cody McLeod was whacked in the face after play had ended, dropped his stick in anticipation of a fight, and was sent off to the penalty box for two roughing penalties. How the refs justified that one, I have no idea. Ryan Reaves of the Blues also went off for roughing, and David Jones sat with McLeod for his two. Fortunately for the Avs, they withstood the kill. About halfway through the period, TJ Galiardi decided he wanted to spend some time in the box and did a little hooking. Sadly, it cost the Avs as Kevin Shattenkirk scored the Blues' second goal of the night just as the power play expired. For the rest of the period, the Avs ran around like a bunch of mini-mites trying to keep up with their older brothers. Ugly.
The second period started right where the first left off. Just a minute in, Paul Stastny got into the penalty action with a ridiculous and unnecessary cross-check; the Blues capitalized. 3-0. Less than five minutes later, Daniel Winnik was called for slashing. Yeah, okay refs. Whatever you say. The Avalanche killed that one off, but they weren't so good during Quincey's high sticking penalty a little later. David Backes (remember how I mentioned him in the preview?) unleashed a nifty little wrister and gave St. Louis that 4-0 lead.
At the 12:00 mark, McLeod was the recipient of more creative refereeing as he, Reeves and Scott Nichol all received roughing penalties. The funny thing is that Reeves and McLeod got ten minute misconducts out of it. Yeah, okay refs. Whatever you say. The Avalanche did have some power play time because of it, but it didn't do them any good. Little sustained pressure, even fewer chances.
Unlike Chicago last night, Colorado actually played better as the night went on. The boys didn't give up. They simply didn't play well. The third saw some of their best moments - which really isn't saying much - even though they had nothing to show for it. They handed Elliott a shut out on a silver platter. I hope he's buying dinner the next time his former teammates come to town.
Now, I'm not usually one to lament on the officiating of a game. And I'm in no way saying that the Avs would have been in contention for the win in this game had things gone differently, but holy crap, what were these guys smoking? Numerous bad penalties called, a missed off-side that led directly to a St.Louis goal, and dropping the puck before our boys were even lined up for the face off? Yeah, okay refs. Whatever.
Here's the thing, folks. There's no reason to panic. It was a bad game. A really, really bad game. It happens. It even happens to really, really good teams (see Blackhawks, Chicago). What's more important is how they deal with this loss. The Avs had a fantastic road trip, winning 3 of 4. They come back home for one game and then set out again. A good team will respond positively. Learn some things from the night, and let it go. Take on the next game with renewed energy and focus. We've all been saying these next few weeks will be the biggest test for this team to date and will show who and what they are. That all starts with the game against Nashville on Tuesday.
- 1 Jean-Sebastien Giguere - kept the game from being a massacre
- 2 Gabriel Landeskog - had three shots on net, three hits, and an even +/- (oh, and roughed up Shattenkirk)
- 3 Jan Hejda - the Altiboobs said he played well
- Landeskog, O'Reilly, Hejduk
- Galiardi, Stastny, Jones
- Winnik, McClement, Kobasew
- McLeod, Porter, van der Gulik
- Hejda, O'Byrne
- Quincey, Elliott
- O'Brien, Johnson
- 1 Erik Johnson left during the first period with a hand injury and did not return.
- 2 Shane O'Brien also left with an injury (knee) but returned to finish the game.
- 3 Cody McLeod has hit the 100 PIM mark for his 5th straight year, setting some kind of record for the team. wooo. hooo. I'd rather he score goals or something.
The Avs come back home for the first game of a home-and-home series against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night.
78 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Well, that sucked.
I’m not going to say much because I didn’t watch too much of the game. But from what I saw, we looked like Chicago did yesterday, and the Blues looked like we did. They’re a very good team under Hitchcock, and we were still clearly feeling the effects of the effort we put forth last night. It would have been a closer game if we had been rested, but such is life in the NHL. Back-to-backs happen.
Best thing we can do is file this in the “oops” category and move on. 8-2-0 is still a spiffy record in the past 10, and we’re only 1 point from 8th and 2 from 6th. We’ve got two big games against Nashville over the next few days. If we rest up, we’ll be ready to put our best foot forward again against them and hopefully pass them in the standings.
Tonight stings, but until we lose a few more like that, I’m not ready to jump off the cliff. I’ll actually say that excluding this game, the Avs have looked great recently, and my issue with Sacco (our lack of a puck possession game) is quickly becoming a moot point. Hopefully the team can keep that up. I’ll gladly eat my words and am more than willing to support re-hiring Sacco next season if he can get this team to buy into a more disciplined game and rides it to playoffs.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
Agree. Every team, even Stanley Cup champs have a bad night/off game once in awhile. Screw this one, its over and history. Lets see what team shows up Tuesday night before any of us jump off the cliff or onto the fire Sacco bandwagon.
To me, this was NOT the team I’ve seen play over the last 10 or 12 games. Come back strong tuesday, there are still many games left in this season
The only two losses we’ve had in the past 10 games have been the second of back-to-backs where we played extremely hard the night before and had nothing left in the tank. Even if it means losing games like this, I’d rather the boys go to bed exhausted every night because they worked their asses off than sitting back during the first game. Learning how to manage our energy will come with time and experience. And hey, even if they do keep up this trend, if we only lose the second of back-to-backs, that equates to what, 12 losses over an entire season? That’s manageable.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
It will definately be interesting to see how they bounce back—does this start a losing streak or do they rebound? I really liked what Oshie said during the break when talking about the coaching change, that they were coming to play every night, I’ll give the avs a pass if they come to play tuesday.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 7, 2012 10:09 PM MST up reply actions
My observations from tonight’s game since I was there:
1. Saw a very tired, very flat-footed Avs squad that hadn’t recovered from last night. The boys had no legs. Losing Johnson in the 1st didn’t help. Overplaying ROB didn’t help, either. Putting Elliot on the PK? Bad idea.
2. The Blues came out looking to make a statement. They wanted a victory and came out flying. Gotta give credit where credit is due.
3. Oh Joe Sacco, you are dumb. There was absolutely no change in the gameplan to compensate for the team being flat-out exhausted. Dump and chase doesn’t work when you’re too tired to chase and can’t rely on speed. Saw some questionable personnel decisions. Elliot on the PK? Porter on the PP? Not sure I’m a fan of Factor on the point during PPs either.
4. McLeod’s an idiot. I bitched about him 3 times in the first period and the Blues scored 2 goals because of his stupidity. Some of this has to do with Sacco also. I clearly remember saying “Why is McLeod on a line with Duke and…goal.”
5. Dear refs, you are blind. I’m not sure how a cross-check across the face results in a roughing penalty on the cross-checked player, but it did tonight. Lots of bad calls, and that goes for both sides (more for ours than theirs).
3. Remember we were shot D-men for much of the game
Cap Floor Team = Cap Floor Results
by Cole D Hamilton on Jan 7, 2012 10:35 PM MST up reply actions
Fire Sacco
Obligatory comment.
Varly!
by niwotsblessing on Jan 7, 2012 10:37 PM MST up reply actions
Hitchcock has them playing really well and they weren’t about to lose to the Avs again (1-9 in the last 10) they looked really good and were very physical. I don’t know if the Avs could have beat them on a good night.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Jan 7, 2012 11:32 PM MST up reply actions
Sacco HAD to put Elliott on the PK. At that time, they only had 4 defensemen.
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 Jan 7, 2012 11:37 PM MST up reply actions
I think they only had 3 defensemen (Hejda, Elliot, OB1) on one PK because Quincey was in the box for highsticking.
Good point. Both of you.
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 Jan 8, 2012 9:29 AM MST up reply actions
3. Oh Joe Sacco, you are dumb. There was absolutely no change in the gameplan to compensate for the team being flat-out exhausted. Dump and chase doesn’t work when you’re too tired to chase and can’t rely on speed. Saw some questionable personnel decisions. Elliot on the PK? Porter on the PP? Not sure I’m a fan of Factor on the point during PPs either.
God, you’re right. He needs to be fired. Who puts Elliott on the PK when there are only 4 defenseman left on the bench. A good coach, like Hitchcock, would have put a forward. Also, what kind of coach can’t get players to have more energy at the end of back-to-back games. A good coach, like Hitchcock if the Avs has any common sense and hired him, would have done something to rest his players. Sacco probably didn’t even make them sign in for team nap time like a good coach, like Hitchcock, would do. Jesus Sacco sucks. The only reason the Avs beat Chicago is that Chicago was really tired from player 5 games in 4 nights, otherwise that would have been just as bad.
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 Jan 8, 2012 10:13 AM MST up reply actions 2 recs
obviously he should have given them illegal shots of adrenaline during the whole game
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 Jan 8, 2012 10:53 AM MST up reply actions
please, enlighten us with a game plan for a tired team.
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 Jan 8, 2012 10:52 AM MST up reply actions
I would have put in Yip and Hunwick, give some guys a night off. They’d have a little jump, it wouldn’t have helped last night but it might have in a closer game.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 8, 2012 11:01 AM MST up reply actions
The game wouldn’t have ever been closer though. If Yip and Hunwick were actual good players, then it may have made a difference, but what difference will Yip make in his 7 minutes and what difference will one defenseman make?
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 Jan 8, 2012 11:04 AM MST up reply actions
(As of right now, there are no highlights available. We’ll update this when there are.)
I don’t think there were any highlights in this game…..
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.
Yeah, this is me holding my breath.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 7, 2012 11:20 PM MST up reply actions
Not a good night for the Avs in many aspects.
Avs lose
Vancouver wins 4-3 over Bruins – probably not a real big deal – but the Bruins still got screwed.
Dallas wins 4-1 over Edmonton – tied with the Avs in points but still have 2 games in hand
LA lost 0-1 to Cbus – one bright spot, Kings remain tied with the Avs but with a game in hand.
Nashville beat Carolina 5-2 – keeps Nashville ahead of the Avs by 1pt with 1 game in hand.
Phoenix won 5-1 over the Isles – Phoenix 2pts behind the Avs and have a game in hand.
Calgary beats Minny 3-1 – maybe a bright spot in that it keeps the Avs close to Minny who is 1pt ahead with a game in hand.
Farm team, LE Monsters lose their second game in as many nights, and third straight, falling tonight 1-3 to the Chicago wolves.
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.
Tuesday should be better.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
i hope so, i bought tickets this morning
Cap Floor Team = Cap Floor Results
by Cole D Hamilton on Jan 7, 2012 11:22 PM MST up reply actions
Especially stew.
I am boobs.
by Thor the Clunge Destroyer on Jan 8, 2012 12:51 AM MST up reply actions 4 recs
Rec’d cuz I’m a sick meat eating rabbit stew loving bastard.
"In my experience, there's no such thing as luck" -Obi Wan Kenobi
O'Reilly works harder than you
What we need is a few good taters…..
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 Jan 8, 2012 10:17 AM MST up reply actions
Po-tay-toes! Boil ’em, mash ’em, stick ’em in a stew.
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.
The problem with a 10 loss November is that you need two 9-1 runs to recover from it. Right back to 10th.
Just .500 in Nov and we are sitting pretty good right now.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Jan 7, 2012 11:25 PM MST reply actions
Missed the game but what I had feared happened. We gave it everything we had to roll Chicago while we had it. I am glad we beat Chicago then blew this game. If they had not played Chicago as hard as possible we might not have won either game. Hopefully this is were Jiggy and Duke step up and remind the boys of the win over the Hawks but also remind them that you can’t get rolled like that then have a few days off and not respond.
I expected this.. 4th of the road trip and it’s a back to back after a game against a team I see as the closest thing we have to a rival right now. (Hawks – The games are always brutally physical, close and up tempo) The test as to what this teams real identity is and how much help we need will be against Nashville. If we don’t come out with a vengeance they will prove that this team rides what ever emotional roller coaster is going at the time. If they show some anger against the Preds we will be alright because the team is on the right learning track. We will see how much the coach and the leadership in the room are really worth now.
We also got lucky as LA and Min both lost and Dal and Nash are only one point ahead. I am glad the team got a gut check now before the winning got to their heads. They were reminded that they are not in anything until game 83. The streak had to end and there really is not a better time to hit the reset button than a game like this. It sucks but lets see how our boys respond they have been going flat out for a while now.
Also I am not in Colorado right now but if I was I would be scraping every penny together I could to go the game Tuesday. Our guys gave us a good December and they deserve a good crowd on Tuesday. I hope the attendance for that game is good because they deserve it after renewing our hope in the team as a Christmas gift.
See, now I want to go even more. Darn you.
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 Jan 8, 2012 9:31 AM MST up reply actions
Fire everyone! A loss on the 2nd of back to backs, down 2 D-Men and your best forward is inexcusable.
Constant lurker, occasional commenter
by tbonius monk on Jan 8, 2012 8:55 AM MST via Android app reply actions
Debatable
Our Universe is so Humongous Big - Illya Bryzgalov
Don't worry be happy right now - Illya Bryzgalov
by Freakoffaleash on Jan 8, 2012 5:36 PM MST up reply actions
I’m really disappointed in all of you MHHers. I expected so much more.
Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
Mile High Hockey
The Hockey Writers
I think this game was so blatant that there really isn’t much to say. They sucked.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 8, 2012 9:37 AM MST up reply actions
Maybe people realized kicking certain dead horses are pointless, prolly not but we can dream right?
Our Universe is so Humongous Big - Illya Bryzgalov
Don't worry be happy right now - Illya Bryzgalov
by Freakoffaleash on Jan 8, 2012 9:56 AM MST up reply actions
I gave the same effort the Avs did in the first period. Jack and shit.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
by Mike @ MHH on Jan 8, 2012 10:01 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
I hope someone realizes to what I’m referring. Otherwise it’s a clear indication that no one actually reads recaps – or at least my recaps – or at least this recap.
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 Jan 8, 2012 10:02 AM MST up reply actions
I always read them but I must be missing something
Our Universe is so Humongous Big - Illya Bryzgalov
Don't worry be happy right now - Illya Bryzgalov
by Freakoffaleash on Jan 8, 2012 10:08 AM MST up reply actions
As much frustration and skepticism as I have shown so far… If I can be realistic and positive about the team after a loss like this. So can everyone ELSE! lol Grab your ears.. or something else.. And say wOOO Saaaaa. =)
Boston got punkd by the Hoovers and you know Boston is better than those suckers. Teams that win a lot are also playing harder and putting out more effort than the other team(s). That is why streaks only last so long. Like I said I am glad they got a gut check at the beginning of the month.
ah, the caption. Good job.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 8, 2012 11:02 AM MST up reply actions
ahahaha, perfect face for that line
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 Jan 8, 2012 11:05 AM MST up reply actions
Ahhhhh, yeah I generally don’t pay attention to captions because I thought SBN put them in there not the writer. Good job Cheryl
Our Universe is so Humongous Big - Illya Bryzgalov
Don't worry be happy right now - Illya Bryzgalov
by Freakoffaleash on Jan 8, 2012 12:57 PM MST up reply actions
No, that was a throw in.
About halfway through the period, TJ Galiardi decided he wanted to spend some time in the box and did a little hooking.
Either it was too subtle or simply not funny.
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 Jan 8, 2012 1:10 PM MST up reply actions 2 recs
I worked all day. First time I got to MHH today and I giggled. And was just reading through the comments going “who said it first”.
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Jan 8, 2012 7:23 PM MST up reply actions
I’m glad someone got it and liked it. It took me a full five seconds to come up with it.
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 Jan 8, 2012 7:51 PM MST up reply actions
Raise your hand if you didn’t drink too much last night and would have noticed that. /looksaround not too many hands are raised around here.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 8, 2012 8:58 PM MST up reply actions
He would have gotten to stay in the box longer had he done high-sticking.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 9, 2012 8:48 AM MST up reply actions
Dude, that TD in OT was a thing of beauty. I really am not a football fan but that is the kind of shit that makes me want to watch. Perfect pass, athletic reception and domination into the end zone? #beauty
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 Jan 8, 2012 7:52 PM MST up reply actions
The whole game was much more entertaining than any football I’ve watched in a loooong time. Big plays, good defenses, back and forth. Loved it
THE COLORADO AVALANCHE HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP. RAYMOND BOURQUE: A DREAM COME TRUE!
And Duchene attended, so it’s relavent!
THE COLORADO AVALANCHE HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP. RAYMOND BOURQUE: A DREAM COME TRUE!
Clearly he must attend all Broncos playoff games now.
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 Jan 8, 2012 8:03 PM MST up reply actions
he has the time. too soon?
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
At least we know he wasn’t watching Teen Mom SMH
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Jan 8, 2012 8:07 PM MST up reply actions
Or drinking too much vodka.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
{checks score of CHI/DET game with 9:00 remaining in the 3rd}
Chicago up 2-1. This is okay!
{checks score of CHI/DET game after it’s over}
Detroit wins, 3-2.
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I so very much dislike the Dead Things.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
Fuck the Dead Things.
Obligatory comment.
Varly!
by niwotsblessing on Jan 8, 2012 8:40 PM MST up reply actions
And it was an OT win….
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.
Fuck loser point games.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
I chalk this up to a young team that is still learning how to win the second of back to back games. I don’t really know the stats, but IMSMC the last time we played a second of back to backs we lost quite handily as well. I believe that was the Minnesota road win into a Winnipeg home loss.
This is what young, inconsistent teams do. I’m hoping. I’ll be at the Can for the Preds game. I hope Chris Hansen will arrive and team up with the Avs for a success sting.
Here’s the thing, folks. There’s no reason to panic. It was a bad game. A really, really bad game. It happens. It even happens to really, really good teams (see Blackhawks, Chicago). What’s more important is how they deal with this loss. The Avs had a fantastic road trip, winning 3 of 4. They come back home for one game and then set out again.
Avs had a terrible loss to Winnipeg and came out and won the next three. I expect the same thing, adding a 1 in front of the three instead.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Mile High Hockey
Related FanShots on Mile High Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
