Forgive me for keeping this short, but I think I can boil this one down as simply as possible. This meeting between the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche was an entertaining one. It was evenly played with hard hitting and an intensity that started slowly but built steadily all game long.
So, what was the difference? The Sharks had 4 powerplay opportunities - including one 5 on 3 - and converted twice. The Avalanche had 3 powerplay opportunities in the 3rd period and converted once. That was the difference. Each team had an even strength goal in the first - Kyle Cumiskey for the Avs (for the first time ever he didn't double clutch on a one-timer attempt) and Scott Nicol for the Sharks, with yet another skate assist from Kyle Quincey (Kyle, please stay away from the front of the net. k thx). The Sharks added an empty net goal late thanks to an untimely bounce off of a linesman (it's possible the puck hit a Shark player on the bench as well).
That was it. I thought both teams put in a good effort tonight, but special teams was the difference tonight and when special teams are going to be the difference the Avalanche are often going to be on the losing end. What else is there to say? Well, other than that Matt Duchene needs to stay out of the box and Kyle Quincey needs to stop dropping or breaking his stick.
David Van der Gulik did not make it into the game tonight, with Skipper Joe retaining the 7 D approach. It worked out, as Adam Foote lasted just 9 shifts before going out with a "head injury". Oh boy. Brandon Yip returned from his groin injury, with David Jones sitting due to a bruised arm.
- Galiardi, Stastny, Stewart
- Yip, Duchene, Hejduk
- McLeod, O'Reilly, Winnik
- Porter, Dupuis
- Liles, Wilson
- Cumiskey, Foote
- Quincey, Hannan
- Holos
- Mike Haynes had 2 or 3 different ways to pronounce Holos...none correct.
- Reported attendance was a dismal 12,803
- John-Michael Liles set a franchise record, becoming the first to score in 7 straight games to start the season. He's also the first Avalanche / Nordique defenseman to have a 7-game scoring streak.
The Avalanche host Ryan Smyth and the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday