Happy St. Patty's day! Alas, the spirit of Saint Patrick did not shine brightly on our Avs this eve as they dropped their 10th in a row tonight to the playoff chasing Flames, 5-2. That marks twice this season (and this young 2011) that the Avs have assembled 10 game winless streaks. Not sure that's a record, and I don't want to know.
Three mins into the game, the Avs gifted the Flames a generous 5-on-3 (see Kiprusoff flop), and Iginla scores (assist to Tanguay). 24 seconds later, during the remainder of the second penalty, O'Byrne shoves a Flames player into Budaj and Giodarno scores amidst the melee. 2-0 Flames. 2-2 on the PP. The Avs answered back with some more nice chemistry between Duchene and Olver carried over from last night. Duchene snagged a lose puck off a refs skate behind the net and passed it out to Olver cutting in front. Olver showed some nice patience taking the puck to the backhand and finishing for his first NHL goal. CONGRATS MARK! It was nice to see the team have a reason to smile.
That happiness gave the Avs some momentum and they earned a powerplay chance. Off the ensuing faceoff, Kiprusoff straight up robs Matt Duchene. Kipper was down on his back, desperation glove in the air, and makes the save. Dick. Other than O'Byrne blocking and hitting everything, Johnson leaving the game after blocking a shot, and the Avs squandering a PP, it was all Flames for the remainder of the first - culminating in Rene Bourque scoring with about 15 seconds left from the bottom of the left circle. Budaj twas down a wee bit early me thinks (read w/ Irish accent). 3-1 Flames, and they are on pace for another 9 goal game.
2nd period played out a little more evenly (0-0 in fact), no doubt due in part to the Flames feeling warm and comfy with a 2 goal lead against the fading Avalanche. Colorado's inept powerplay did get another chance when Olver drew a penalty for the second time in the game (I'm liking this kid, never quits), but it ended with the same old song, and the boys come up empty, 0-3 on the PP.
Ugh. With 15:24 to play, the Avs get caught staring at Hagman sloppily stick-handling his way through the Avs pylon defense, and Hagman's pass gets through three players, through the slot, and over to a WIDE OPEN Kotalik who scores in his first game back. 4-1 Calgary. Two minutes later Iginla drives Stastny to the net - with his stick still on the ice - and tips in a perfect centering pass from....ah, who cares. The Avs stopped trying so why should I.
The Avs received a 5-on-3 with 1:25 to play after an interference(?) call and then a delay of game (puck over the glass) and converted with 5.6 seconds left. Cody McLeod on the PP parked in front bangs home the puck with a little bit o the luck o the Irish - he had a bloody lip as he scored it. Nice. At least Kiprusoff's GAA and save % got dinged.
Olver Duchene Winnik
Stoa Stastny Jones
McLeod O'Reilly Yip
Porter McClement Dupuis Hunwick
Wilson Hunwick
Liles O'Byrne
Johnson Holos
- Holidays of Saints? These two teams last met on St. Valentine's Day, when the Flames showed no love whilst pounding the Avs 9-1. Saint Patty was much gentler than that asshole Saint Valentine. (NOTE: The NHL's St Patty's day ad was pretty good. O'vechkin indeed.)
- Fun Stat o' the night: Calgary came into this contest enjoying a modest 3 game losing skid. Not to be outdone, our depleted Avs entered the fray boasting a mighty 9 game winless collapse!
- Stoa returned from his appendectomy concussion. Foote sat out after blocking a shot with his head last game - yeah, he's gonna retire.
- Andy and the Sens won tonight, meaning the Avs are in place for the 2nd pick in this summer draft.
None. Don't bother. Ah, Olver deserves some love so here you go (especially since NHL.com called him Darren Olver. Way to take the joy out of that first goal fellas):
3rd - Tanks
2nd - Leprechauns
1st - Unicorns driving Tanks over Leprechauns
The Bang-Banged up Bus will finally get the hell out of the great white bitter cold north after taking on Edmonton Saturday 8pm Mountain Time, and return to beautiful, sunny and cool, with a 10% chance of precipitation, Denver.