Game 8: Wild 3, Avalanche 2

by Joe Dunman on Oct 22, 2007 4:43 AM MDT in NHL News

photo courtesy of Paul Battaglia/AP

In a game the Colorado Avalanche absolutely had to win, they didn't. They got close, tying the score at 2-2 in the second period, but Peter Budaj's strong goaltending alone couldn't prevent the Minnesota Wild from extending their unbeaten-in-regulation season record to 7-0-1. The Avalanche road record is now 0-4.

For the third game in a row, the Avalanche fell behind by multiple goals, after both Mark Parrish and Brian Rolston scored on power plays during the first half of the second period. Blame Jordan Leopold for those, since he spent almost half the period in the box on dumb penalties. The Avalanche surged back to tie, however, with their own power play score by Tyler Arnason and another tally just two minutes later by Andrew Brunette.

The Avs defense, which struggled periodically, had everything under control for most of the second and almost all of the third periods, but a sweet fake move behind the net by Mikko Koivu ended with the game-winning goal stuffed through Budaj's left pad. With only three minutes left to play, the Avs were done.

Milan Hejduk was missed on offense, out again with a sore back. Paul Stastny failed to get on the scoreboard, and his five-game point streak ended. Marek Svatos and Wojtek Wolski both had extremely strong performances, and each managed an assist.

Peter Budaj had an overall excellent night, making huge plays and stopping incredible scoring chances by a Wild offense that looked stronger than in previous games. Considering two goals were scored on power plays (one of which was a 5-on-3) and the other was the fault of a badly-beaten Brett Clark (and Paul Stastny), Budaj can't be blamed for the team's overall failure to win. Unfortunately, Coach Quenneville will no doubt blame him for it. Let's hope it doesn't happen, but it wouldn't surprise me if Jose Theodore gets the start against Edmonton on Tuesday.

The Avalanche absolutely must get it together on the road. Their failure to win is inexplicable. A team with so much talent and depth on paper should not be struggling so much so early in the season. Instead of atop the Northwestern Division standings where they belong, the Avs are tied with Vancouver for third place, seven points behind the Wild and two points behind the Flames---who had a horrible 0-2-1 start.

The Avalanche continues a four-game road trip with game three against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. The Oilers have been horrendous so far this season, and have lost five games of their last six. If the Avs can't beat them, things will be worse than they appear already.

Stars of the Game:

Niklas Backstrom (29sv, .935)

Mark Parrish (1g, 0a)

Mikko Koivu (1g, 0a)

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Comments

Staz

I know you guys never miss a chance to bash ole Clarky - but that was Stastny marking Koivu and getting beat to the near post. Meanwhile while Clark covered pass through the crease - as our D-men often do, so if that is the problem we should be commenting on our system. Give me a break with the Clark hate. Seriously.

Never trust the lunch lady.

by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Oct 22, 2007 7:59 AM MDT reply actions

I disagree...

to a point. Clark and Stasny can't occupy the same space in a 3D universe without repercussions for the space-time continuim. Stasny got beat, Clark didn't step up once Koivu got in his zone of influence and a goal was scored. Put yourself in Budaj's shoes for a minute. Who do you think he expected to take Koivu once he put his shoulder down and drove to the side of the net? My bet it was Clark. Still, it was a sweet move by the littlest Koivu and he was rewarded for some hard work down low.

From what I saw, it was the only bad element in the game for Clark. He played VERY solid and broke up a number of chances. He also came close to scoring on Budaj, but it was kinda freaky and in no way his fault. Not hating on Clark, not forgiving Stasny either. I just feel that Clark should have stepped into Koivu to prevent him from cutting in front like that.

I have a question. If Minny had the Boogeyman in the pressbox, why was Parker dressed? I know that Hejduk's injury left a hole in the lineup, but we couldn't have gotten somebody from Cleveland to Minny in the 48 hrs after the Chicago game?

Guite and his linemates had a strong game, and it shouldn't be overlooked. Wolski and Svatos played great, and I know the expectations are a tad higher from them, but let's not overlook Guite, Lappy, etc. They played well, maintained pressure on the Wild and made some nice plays.

I lay this loss at the feet of wonderkind Leopold. Every time he has a game like this, a part of my soul dies because it proves the Flames fleeced us again. And when I think of the Flames fleecing us, I think of Drury and then I'm sad.

Mike @ BB&R

by Mike @ MHH on Oct 22, 2007 8:58 AM MDT up reply actions

Don't misunderstand

While I still think the fault of Koivu's goal was ultimately Brett Clark's, I think he had a strong game overall. He's been inconsistent the last few games, but against the Wild he was generally very good.

Don't mistake criticism for hate. I think Brett Clark is a swell guy and I wouldn't mind playing badminton with him sometime.

by Joe Dunman on Oct 22, 2007 9:45 AM MDT up reply actions

Disagree

IT was both Stastny's and Clark's fault. Stastny got beat, but Clark should have stepped up and helped him. All he had to do was force Koivu around the net, and he would have become Finger's guy.

I also disagree that he was good against the Wild. I thought he was his same inconsistent self. Making ill-timed offensive cuts, and getting beat a few times by players he shouldn't be beaten by.

He does seem like a good guy to play badminton or boccie ball with though

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 22, 2007 11:19 AM MDT up reply actions