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Game 39: Coyotes 4, Avalanche 3 (SO)


photo courtesy of Roy Dabner/AP

"We'll take the point," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We're coming off two disappointing losses at home [to Detroit, Los Angeles] and down 3-1 in this one, getting the one point isn't too bad."

And just like that, the Avalanche have now shifted into settling mode, in which they settle for a point here, settle for a point there, settle for a point every three games or so.  

After an excellent 5-0-1 run over the past two weeks, the Avalanche are now 0-2-1 in their last three games, including last night's 3-1 shootout loss to the Phoenix Coyotes.  

The Avs still can't figure out Ilya Bryzgalov, who always made their lives hard when he played for Anaheim, and now continues his magic with the Desert Dogs of Phoenix.  Bryz stopped 42 of 45 shots in a superb overall performance, and continues to cement his reputation as an Avalanche Killer.

Avs goalie Peter Budaj didn't play quite as well, allowing three goals on just 26 shots, and two goals on two attempts in the shootout.  His poor second period, in which the Coyotes scored three goals (including two just ten seconds apart early on), set the Avs in catchup mode.

Wojtek Wolski, who scored his second goal in ten games, gave Colorado the early lead in the first period, while Budaj was his usual superb self by stopping all six shots he faced in the starting frame.  

In the third period, Avs rookie power forward Cody McLeod scored his second goal in as many games, salvaging a point for the Avs who only had five minutes left to tie the game.  

What killed Colorado was a lack of discipline on the ice, allowing six power plays and two power play goals by the Coyotes.  Phoenix allowed only three power plays and killed all three successfully.  It's a good thing the Avs have been very disciplined in most games prior to this one, because their penalty kill doesn't seem to work as well as it used to.

And the power play continues to blow (technical term).

The Avalanche faces Phoenix again on Wednesday, this time back in Denver.  It could likely be another Bryzgalov goalie clinic, considering how strong he's played overall since moving to the Coyotes from Anaheim.  Or the Avs could get their crap together and start winning games again.

They better.  Calgary is now tied in points and the Avs are in danger of falling into fourth place in the Northwest Division.  Luckily they're still only three points behind first-place Vancouver.

Stars of the Game:

  1. Peter Mueller (1g, 0a)
  1. Ilya Bryzgalov (42sv, .933)
  1. Radim Vrbata (2g, 0a)

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Disappointing...

is about the only word that can describe the attitude of Quenville. This must be why he is nothing more than a .500 coach. That and he'll probably play Theo on Wednesday and we can look forward to a loss with no points.
The power play "looked" better last night. They were actually shooting the puck instead of making 50 million passes. Unfortunately Brygalov had the force field going. Avs are now 0-9 since Brunette scored on the power play vs Vancouver in the third period.
I hope on Wednesday that the Avs realize that two of their three goals beat Brygalov top shelf.  He can be neat if you get the puck off of the ice on him, Wolski's goal was top shelve over the right shoulder and Mcleod beat him over the left shoulder. I can't quite remember, but I bet Clark's goal was also off the ice.

Vrbata's first goal was a defensive debacle. After knocking the puck off Sjostrom's stick three Avs just stared at it until Hanzal came in and chipped it to Vrbata who had an open net. Reinprecht's goal? How do TWO guys miss knocking a puck out of the air with their hands? I guess neither Liles nor Richardson played baseball cause they can't catch.

I am also tired of the announcers jinxing the team. Any one else hear their comment during the second penalty kill "The Avs penalty kill is much improved having allowed just 9 goals in the last 20 games."  Then almost immediately Vrbata scores on the power play. The later we go and give up another ppg to Vrbata. Enough with the bloody stats during the game already. It's bad enough when they talk about shut out streaks during the game....seriously, enough already!

by Americanario on Jan 1, 2008 9:22 AM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Shots on Bryz

The vast majority of the shots against Bryzgalov last night seemed to be along the ice and geared toward five-hole land.  I don't know if that was something the Avs went into the game trying to do or if it just shook out that way, but Americano, you're right, nothing was beating him low.  Then again, the only goal that went in low on Boots was that failed poke-check on the first PP goal.

I guess my point is, unless you have traffic at the net (which seemed intermitent last night, much like the Colorado forecheck) shooting high on Bryz probably isn't a bad idea.

Mike @ MHH

by Mike @ MHH on Jan 1, 2008 4:55 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Smyth injured?

I read it somewhere but I haven't seen it on the Avs site. Hensick was recalled though...  

by James on Jan 2, 2008 8:18 AM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bad Ankle Sprain - Out Indefinitely

DPO reported yesterday.  At least the x-rays were negative (in other words, he didn't go Leoprone on us).  Avs recalled Hensick to replace him.

by Bob in Boulder on Jan 2, 2008 10:10 AM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

FG's biggest mistake so far

No, not keeping Q around.  His biggest mistake so far is not doing whatever he needed to do to trade for Bryzgalov before the Ducks let him go on waivers for nothing.  As much as I want to believe that Budaj has what it takes to be a solid number one in this league, he was clearly overmatched the other night in Phoenix.  And doesn't anyone in the Av organization remember what Bryzgalov did in the 2006 playoffs?  He clearly can be one of the best in the league in the right situation.  And FG was asleep at the wheel when he was available for a song earlier in the year.  

by Bob in Boulder on Jan 2, 2008 10:24 AM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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