Game 55: Avalanche 3, Sharks 1
by Joe Dunman on Feb 7, 2008 8:27 AM MST
in NHL News
Email
Print
To say this game was a big win for the Avs would be an understatement. In the words of Donald Trump, "It's yuge!"
Despite being considerably out-shot and out-chanced throughout the game, the Avs cruised to a 3-1 victory on the now-healthy back of one completely revitalized and dominant Jose Theodore, who closed the door on the Sharks with authority. He made 30 saves on 31 shots, and the lone goal he allowed was a sweet one-timer he had no chance to stop. All in all, a superb performance.
While I'm still unready to relax completely about him being the starter, it is excellent to see him finally live up to his potential, even if it ends up being for just a few more games. He's stopping pucks and winning games, so I'll take it.
TJ Hensick continues to single-handedly resurrect the Colorado power play. He scored his fifth goal in three games (four on the PP) and it proved to be the game-winner. Considering that Paul Stastny will be returning to the lineup on Saturday against the Canucks, and somebody will have to be sent back down to Lake Erie, Hensick picked the perfect time to start kicking ass. He's finally earning those two extra i's in his last name. Hensiiick indeed.
Also scoring for the Avs were defensive stalwarts Ben Guite, who scored first with an amazing mid-air deflection of a Brett Clark slapper, and Jeff Finger, who potted an empty-netter in the very last second of the game to seal the deal. Clark had two assists, while Ian Laperriere and Jaroslav Hlinka added one helper each.
Colorado's defense allowed far too many shots from the Sharts, but considering all but one were stopped, things could have been worse. For several stretches of the game the D was very solid, Skrastins Not Withstanding, and most of the shots allowed were desperation attempts with no chance anyway.
Joe Thornton of the Sharts took an unintentional stick to the nose early in the game, which inspired some whiny bellyaching from the FSN Bay Area announcers and an equal amount from Thornton himself. Cody McLeod was the apparent offender, and later in the first period Mike Grier went after him. McLeod traded rights with the Sharts power forward, but it was a draw and the refs separated them before either hit the ice. Oh well. I wish McLeod had pummeled that bald guy in the FSN booth instead---what a tool.
The win moved the Avs back into second place in the Northwest Division, just behind Minnesota, and also into fifth place in the Western Conference playoff race, tied again with Anaheim.
The next game is Saturday night against a struggling Vancouver Canucks team. Paul Stastny is expected to return after missing nine games due to an appendectomy.
ADDENDUM: I can't believe I forgot to mention the strangest aspect of last night's game---the ice times. The forward with the most time on the ice last night was Ben Guite at 20:37. Only Lappy was close, with 19:37. The scoring forwards like Hejduk, Wolski, Svatos, Hlinka and Hensick, were way behind with 14:52, 15:53, 13:19, 17:31 and 9:55, respectively. Considering his hot streak, it seems strange that Hensick would be getting less than ten minutes on the ice---but Q's playing him on the power play and it's paying off.
Stars of the Game:
- Jose Theodore (30sv, .968)
- Patrick Marleau (1g, 0a)
- Brett Clark (0g, 2a)
11 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Good win!
My one-year-old conspired to keep me from seeing the game last night, so I'm happy to see the few highlights on OTF:F and bask in good game from the Avs.
I DID manage to catch the complete PWNERSHIP of Brodeur in the Buffalo-Devils shootout though. It made my heart smile.
Ohh, and NHL.com has awarded Theo the second star for last night. They did note his recovery from 'bask' spasms in the blurb too...
Happy
I was very happy when I check the score this morning. These two points are of an huge importance. Had we lost this game we'd be in the middle of the 7th/8th spot fight with more games played than some of the other teams. A must-must-must-win.
Record:
since season start: 29-21-5 63 Pts (.573)
since Sakic's injury: 16-11-4 36 Pts (.581)
since Smyth's injury: 8-6-2 18 Pts (.563)
since Stast's injury: 4-3-2 10 Pts (.555)
Well, not as disastrous as we thought, huh? Losing Sakic actually improved our record. Not really a surprise, the way he was playing, not bad, but not Super Joe. Losing Smyth and Stastny definately had an impact, but I think we can all say these results prove the Avs are a good team. When you lose your three best players with the caliber of these three guys and you can still hold on to your spot in the standings, it's a good sign. Gotta thank the resurrection of Theodore, who proved maybe he didn't really get a chance. He suffered the same as Budaj in terms of win, you play, lose, you're out. He didn't play more than three consecutive starts this season. Once he had the opportunity to do it this season... He shows his worth. I'm very impressed with him, it's time to stop with the "he's going to collapse at any moment". Even if he does, it's just the normal goalie meltdown until the contrary is proved. Right now, I don't think any of the goalies is superior to the other, when they had their chances to play many games consecutively they both stepped up, when they were in and out every game they struggled. Everybody had their meltdowns, no need to mention Theo's, and Budaj had it the other day, just to mention recent games. If Theo manages to keep this level of performance until the end of the season and there's no goalie available for trade or on the UFA marker, I think we should resign him for his right value.
Two things to look at...
I'm not sure I would say we improved without Sakic. I think we would still be improving with him. But when Sakic went down it did force some of the other players to realize they couldn't play behind him anymore. They are now in the spot light and need to perform. Both goalies have helped as well. The timing is all about the same...Sakic went down in early December and Budaj played consecutive games through most of December. Theo got a chance in January and also played well getting consecutive games. Theo is slightly better then Budaj at the present but either will be good if they continue to get consecutive starts and Q doesn't return to the Goalie-go-round. Consistency in goal is probably the biggest marker of our improvement in these last few months.
by Americanario on Feb 7, 2008 10:18 AM MST up reply actions
there's no doubt in my mind
sakic was playing injured all season, thinking the pain was a groin pull. hopefully when he comes back he's back at 100%.
Both game were good...
I also watched the Sabres finally come out on top of the Devils in the SO. About time Miller!
Theo was spectacular again...damn I might have to start liking him? Good to see Hensiiik finally getting into a groove, though he needs more ice time...seriously only 9:55 TOI?
13 shots in the first and only 12 between the 2nd and 3rd periods? I guess when you score a goal each period you can't complain too much about shot totals; but we need to stop dumping and retreating to a line change in the third periods.
Bald Guy = Drew Remenda
I really want to like him, because he's one of the more insightful color guys I've heard (for example pointing out that the Sharks through the Thornton line out late in the game after a quick rest in an effort to catch a tired Guite line).
Unfortunately, he often comes across as smug and can be a big-time homer (although he's better with SJ games - the year he spent doing CBC games he was unbelievably biased towards the Canadian teams). He still is 8,000,000 times better than the guy he reminds me of at times (Pierre McGuire).
Interesting that Marleau scored his 10th goal in the game, while Guite was scoring his 7th and Hensick his 6th. I scratched my head a bit when the Sharks gave Marleau that 6.3 million extension this offseason after his much publicized crapout in the playoffs last spring. Seems like a big overpayment at this point...
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Feb 7, 2008 11:30 AM MST reply actions
Re: Bald guy
Marleau's been an overpayment for a while now, not just this season. The guy's been criticized for underperformance and threatened with trades more than I can count.
this is true
and he's getting a $2 million dollar raise next year...
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Feb 7, 2008 11:50 AM MST up reply actions
Feel better
I booed the hell out of him for killing my fantasy team this season.
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 7, 2008 12:05 PM MST up reply actions
Marleau
its my buddy Travis' fault. After Marleau scored a hat trick to knock the avs out of the playoffs a few years back, he cursed him with the hot wings he was eating at the time. Had I known the curse would work, a few years late, I would have warned you.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
