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Game 11: Avalanche 3, Wild 1


photo courtesy of Will Powers/AP

In a very must-win situation, the Avlanche again came through, largely on the back of superb goaltending and clutch play by two important veterans.  After defeating the Wild 3-1 yesterday, the Avs now have a 5-0 record at home and a three-game winning streak.  

In what was mostly a very disciplined game, the Colorado defense held the Wild offense to just 22 shots on goal, including a second period in which Minnesota made only five.  Peter Budaj, playing very well in net again, stopped all but one shot for a save percentage of .955.  His overall record is now 5-2 with a 2.82 goals against average and a .9 save percentage.  Not bad, definitely.

Colorado scored first in the game off a great steal by Ryan Smyth, who teamed with Joe Sakic on a fast give-and-go to beat rookie Wild goaltender Josh Harding.  Unfortunately, the Wild would score a power play goal seven minutes later.  The Avalanche penalty kill was strong but not perfect this time, going 2-3.  

Once again proving invaluable, Marek Svatos scored the eventual game-winner in the second period with a backhand shot directly in front of Harding.  Smyth and Sakic received the assists on that one.  Both Smyth and Svatos now have five goals on the season.

The real action came near the end of the third period, though, as the Wild turned up the heat in an effort to come back.  Down 2-1, Minnesota defenseman Petteri Nummelin took a quick wrist shot on a wide-open net (see above photo).  Peter Budaj, slow to get across, fully extended his left pad to the far goal post and rolled his body forward, lifting his glove in the air as he fell.  The puck, on an upward trajectory, cleared Budaj's leg but was caught in the glove for Budaj's biggest save so far this season.  It preserved the win for the Avs.

Wojtek Wolski scored on a late power play with just 37 seconds left in the game off a great pass from Paul Stastny to clinch the win.  Andrew Brunette received credit for the second assist.

Overall, the Avalanche won on strong defense and superb goaltending.  They shut down a very good team.  Colorado now sits in second place in the Northwest Division just two points behind Minnesota and one point ahead of Calgary.

The Avalanche has three days off, and will next face the Pittsburgh Penguins at home in the Pepsi Center on Thursday, November 1st.  

Stars of the Game:

  1. Joe Sakic (0g, 2a)
  1. Ryan Smyth (1g, 1a)
  1. Peter Budaj (21sv, .955)

0 recs | Comment 11 comments

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Comments

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Must win!?

Love the blog, but I'm curious why this game was a "must-win." It's not even November - why is any game a must win? It's one of those terms that when you use it quite so liberally, like in the first month of the season, it starts to lose impact.

by Brad on Oct 29, 2007 8:58 AM MDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Must win

If the ultimate goal of the season is to win the Northwest Division title (and we here at MHH expect no less from the Avs), then any game against a division rival such as the Wild is a must-win game.

The game against the Penguins on Thursday is not a must-win game.

by Joe @ MHH on Oct 29, 2007 10:01 AM MDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agree

While the game was easily the most important of the season so far, I too wouldn't have called it must-win, especially just before a month where the Avs play the NW 10 times in 13 games.

Save the must-win luster Joe :)

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 29, 2007 10:21 AM MDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

agreeing with this agree

"must wins" are for playoff qualifiers and elimination games in the playoffs.

I term these games "critical" more than "must win."

by thedoctor on Oct 29, 2007 10:26 AM MDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Splitting hairs

We're really getting specific here aren't we?  I mean, do we need to get a glossary going?

And of course elimination games are must-wins, if the team doesn't win they get eliminated!  That's not exactly saying much.

I guess I'm alone, but I still feel every game against a Northwest Division team is a must-win for the Avalanche if they want to ultimately win the division title.  

by Joe @ MHH on Oct 29, 2007 10:47 AM MDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: even

ESPECIALLY against the Oilers.  They're on the verge of another Stanley Cup run, I can just feel it!

by Joe @ MHH on Oct 29, 2007 11:33 AM MDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

MUST be a dull day for everyone

I'm not sure what your point is.  Who doesn't use the word "must" on a fairly regular basis?  And anyway, searching any single word will come up with a crap-ton of hits.  Just in case anyone was curious, I've used the terms "score," "important" and "goal" dozens of times!

At any rate, I know everyone's just messing with me, but I just don't see why any of this matters so much.  Does it really bug you that I consider so many games to be so important?

by Joe @ MHH on Oct 29, 2007 1:48 PM MDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ok, this is getting too serious

i was mostly kidding, though you do use the term a lot.

i mean, here you label this game ( http://www.milehighhockey.com/story/... ) a must win game...but we're still well in the hunt for the NW title, so it's kind of O_o

by thedoctor on Oct 29, 2007 1:31 PM MDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

For crying out loud

I had no idea that you guys cared this much about this topic!  Is it really that big of a deal that I consider all games with division rivals to be must-win games?  

You don't have to agree with me!  It's not that big of a deal!

by Joe @ MHH on Oct 29, 2007 1:44 PM MDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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