Mile High Hockey - Ducks at Avalanche: Game 1 (October 2, 2013)Colorado Avalanche and all hockey coverage in the Mile High statehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50889/mhh-fav.png2013-10-03T12:46:58-06:00http://www.milehighhockey.com/rss/stream/45602512013-10-03T12:46:58-06:002013-10-03T12:46:58-06:00An Opinion on Roy's Outburst
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<figcaption>Doug Pensinger</figcaption>
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<p>The Avs head coach made quite the statement last night in the home opener against Anaheim. </p> <p>What. A. Game. While the players put on an incredible show last night, the talk of the town has really been new head coach Patrick Roy and his... uh, <i>disagreement...</i> with Anaheim's Bruce Boudreau and the pane of glass separating them. If you haven't seen the outburst yet, <a href="http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/roy-boudreau-brings-house-down/" target="_blank">here's a link</a>.</p>
<p>I want to start by saying that I don't think Roy lost it just for the sake of losing it. I firmly believe that he has enough self control now to know when to let his colors shine and when to hold back. If his move last night had hurt the team, I severely doubt he would have done it. I also don't believe that the Avs are going to become some sort of dirty team in the long run. A statement was made, but statements lose their power if they're over-made or aren't backed up with outstanding play. Roy understands this. While he will likely remain consistent in his response to teams trying to give us trouble, I don't think outbursts like this will become a norm. Even as a player, winks and grins often substituted for fists. However, this was the first game, and his over-the-top response was meant to send out a number of messages to various people and establish the tone of the Roy Era 2.0 in Denver.</p>
<p>First of all, this was a message to the rest of the league. If you think you can push the Avs around on <i>or off</i> the ice, think again. Yeah, we might have been the NHL's doormat for the past five years, but things are different now. If you push us, we will push back. Roy's outburst really served as a wake-up call that other teams can't treat the Avs as some inconsequential match-up anymore.</p>
<p>It also should be noted that he probably wouldn't have done anything if the boys hadn't made that point abundantly clear throughout the entire game. Roy's outburst was a cherry on top of an already dominant showing. If the Avs hadn't brought the "ice cream" all night long by completely destroying the Ducks, the cherry would have been fairly useless. But together? It emphasized what was already there and put the entire league on notice.</p>
<p>Second, it was a message to the fans. The culture has changed in the Mile High City - there's reason to be fired up about this team again. He's excited, he's passionate, and it's rubbing off on everyone. Diehards, sports talk guys... heck, even casual fans are talking about the Avs. That 30 seconds of glass smashing was more effective marketing that this team has put together in the past 5 years combined. I don't think this was the primary thought running through his head when he let loose, but given his talk of wanting to make the fans proud of this team again, I do think it played a role.</p>
<p>Third, and most importantly, this was a message to the team. It proved he will stand up for them. You knee our rook, you kick our goalie in the head... you'll hear about it. Roy has their back, and if actions speak louder than words, this move put even the new soundsystem to shame. The General rode into battle last night and gave the other guy a serious beat-down. How can that not inspire confidence and admiration from his troops? I get the feeling that the Avs respect and willingness to do whatever Patrick says just went through the roof, and it's going to be a unifying factor for the team moving forward. They won't just play under him, they'll play FOR him as a single, collective unit.</p>
<p>Boudreau's insistence that it was "bush league" may be true, but after so many years of zero intensity from the bench, zero cohesion on the ice, and zero respect from the league, maybe some bush league is exactly what Denver needs. Roy AND his boys put on a show last night, and for the first time in a long time, I'm proud to be an Avs fan. As long as he uses this nuclear option sparingly, we're in for a heck of a season.</p>
<h3>UPDATE:</h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=433333">Roy has been fined $10,000</a> (US) by the league as a result of his actions at the end of the game.</p>
https://www.milehighhockey.com/2013/10/3/4799346/an-opinion-on-roys-outburst-against-anaheimAndi D.2013-10-03T00:27:55-06:002013-10-03T00:27:55-06:00Fireworks Ensue on Opening Night in Denver
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<figcaption>Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The @MHH family is working together to get you this recap in a timely fashion, however any and all errors are obviously Mike's fault. New coach Roy shows how much he cares his new team and how passionate he will be for his Avalanche family!</p> <p>Mike is out of town at an engineering conference and won't be back in time to watch the first part of the game so our son and I (This is the Mrs. BTW) will have recap duties until he returns. So here we go:</p>
<p>FirstGrader@MHH's pregame notes (transcribed verbatim):</p>
<ul>
<li>The plars are wormeeing up!</li>
<li>The Goalie is worming up!</li>
<li>there are a lot of peeple!!</li>
<li>the music is radeeoactive. (Editor's Note: This is his current favorite song.)</li>
<li>the avlanche are coming owt!</li>
<li>There is a lite jersee!!!!<br>
</li>
</ul>
<p>And now I'll (Mrs.) take back over...</p>
<p>The regular season starts with some of the same flavor seen in the preseason as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.anaheimcalling.com/">Ducks</a> drive the play in the early going. <span>Paul Stastny</span> doesn't help the cause taking a tripping call less than<strike> three</strike> five minutes into the game (Editor's Note: the NHL has 20 minute periods, not 18 dear. Only schlub beer leaguers such as myself can handle the rigors of 18-minute run clock periods.) Colorado manages to kill off the first short-handed situation of the season allowing only one shot (1stGrader: "the duks omost skord! there was ubout to be a fit"). The fun of the period continues. Here's a comment from 1stGrader: "The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Avalanche</a> should play hard too. The Ducks are playing harder than the Avalanche."</p>
<p>Top 6 forward <span>Daniel Winnik</span> helps his old team out with a hooking call eight minutes in. The Avs first powerplay of the season goes for naught but one shot, but at least the boys in Burgandy are playing at the other end of the ice. Thankfully, <span>Semyon Varlamov</span> has looked solid, making several good saves.</p>
<p><span>Ryan O`Reilly</span> breaks the seal on the 2013-2014 season with an unassisted goal after breaking up a bad pass from <span>Francois Beauchemin</span>, racing into the offensive zone and beating Ducks goaltender <span>Viktor Fasth</span>. The goal awakens both teams and the hometown crowd as the Ducks and Avalanche begin trading chances. O`Reilly gets some good chances but Viktor Fasth denies him with two great saves with under a minute to go. The period ends with the good guys up 14-7 in shots and 1-0 on the scoreboard</p>
<p>1stGrader needs to go to bed, so after a Facebook argument with my sister and a quick glance at the intermission feed, I noticed that McNabb is in the pressbox, not down between the benches. Is this permanent? Because I hated him between the benches last season.</p>
<p>Another shaky start to the period as Varlamov is forced to makes several good saves in a row and stones <span>Sami Vatanen</span> with an aggressive challenge save. Not long after, Stastny takes his second penalty of the night as he gets called for hooking <span>Ryan Getzlaf</span>. The PK is successful again though. More Facebook arguing, but it doesn't appear that I missed anything until Winnik takes another penalty, this time for tripping <span>P.A. Parenteau</span>. Colorado's power play strikes as <span>Steve Downie</span> scores from the side of the crease on a O`Reilly's rebound. It's Downie's first goal since Feb 25th, 2012. Assist to old favorite <span>Alex Tanguay</span>.</p>
<p>Mike is back, so I'll let him take over...</p>
<p>I got home in time to watch 1st overall draft pick <span>Nathan MacKinnon</span> blow past Ducks <strike>defenseman</strike> douchebag <span>Ben Lovejoy</span> for a quality scoring chance. Lovejoy's answer? Start some shit. MacKinnon stands up for himself and earns a matching 2 minute roughing minor. SPOILER ALERT: It wouldn't be his last appearance on the scoresheet tonight.</p>
<p>An aggressive forecheck during the 4-on-4 springs <span>Tyson Barrie</span> and John Mitchell on a two-on-one. Evgeni buries a wrister on Fasth to put the Avalanche up 3-0 at just under the halfway point of the game. Then the game REALLY got interesting. Some weak backhands and sloppy stick work in the Avs' own end results in <span>Corey Perry</span> alone in the slot but Varly is aggressive and stones him with ZERO rebound!</p>
<p><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020006-405-h" frameborder="0" height="395" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p>MacKinnon and his motor generate another powerplay opportunity after he's cross-checked in the offensive zone. No score on the man advantage, but it wouldn't be long...</p>
<p>A hard cycle to the left of Anaheim's net finds the puck on MacKinnon's stick. He slips a deft little backhand pass between Cam Fowler's legs to <span>Jamie McGinn</span> in the slot. McGinn doesn't miss from there and buries the puck far side to put Colorado up 4-0. Alex Tanguay gets the second assist.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020006-418-h" frameborder="0" height="395" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>Patrick Maroon</span> tries to get his team in it again with a fight with <span>Cody McLeod</span> after a post-whistle scrum. Not sure why McLeod agreed to the dance, but he managed to a land a good punch or two. It appeared that Maroon took off his helmet (a big no-no this season), but after conferring the refs just shrugged it off. We close out the period with Varlamov getting his glove on a point blank Getzlaf shot in front.</p>
<p>The early part of the third period starts with back and forth possession changes and little in the way of good scoring opportunities. Valamov treats the crowd to some great poke checks on scary traffic plays in front of the Avs net. At least two of those negated good shooting opportunities and will never show up on a scoresheet as a save.</p>
<p>Just under 9 minutes into the 3rd and Parenteau streaks down the right boards and pulls up just as he 's getting ridden into the corner. MacKinnon calls for the puck and Parenteau delivers a sweet pass to the rookie's stick. He does him one better by sliding a gift over to an uncoverd McGinn for his second goal of the night from 3 feet in front of the crease. 5-0 Avalanche. If you look up the word 'rout' in the dictionary, there's a picture of Fasth's face after that goal. He is getting NO HELP from anybody wearing the webbed D.</p>
<p>The Avs cap their scoring for the night on a powerplay goal from Duchene. It's a thing of fucking beauty. After Getzlaf gets called for hooking <span>Gabriel Landeskog</span> in the middle of the zone, the Avs put on a patient passing clinic. Tanguay fakes a shot from the left point and puts a hard pass onto Downie's stick to the right of the Ducks' net. Downie LIKE A BOSS throws it straight across the crease to <span>Matt Duchene</span>. Now, if you go and read the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/boxscore?id=2013020006">boxscore</a> for this game, this shot is noted simply as a "wrist shot". That's because the Official NHL Scoresheet doesn't have a box to check that reads "DUNKS THAT SHIT." 6-0 Avalanche with just over 7 minutes to go.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020006-667-h" frameborder="0" height="395" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p>In the last bit of the game the Avalanche pull out all the stops to give the sellout crowd a treat. Downie answers the bell when Getzlaf taps him on the shoulder for a fight. That completes the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. Then, in the waning seconds, shit got real.</p>
<p>Ben Lovejoy, in what I can only assume was a misplaced attempt at thanking MacKinnon for clowning him all night long, throws a knee-to-knee <strike>hit</strike> cheapshot on the rookie. McGinn has words, play continues, the puck gets worked into the Avalanche end, <span>Jan Hejda</span> and his man literally fly over a mid-save Varlamov, and <span>Jakob Silfverberg</span> bangs in the rebound to spoil the shutout with less than 7 seconds left in the game. The reprehensible Bruce Boudreau rolls out his goon line for the ensuing faceoff. Patrick Roy pulls Slap Fight and puts <span>Patrick Bordeleau</span> and Co. on the ice. Shoving and shit-talking reach Pacific Rim levels before the buzzer sounds. Roy shows his command of the English language by giving some friendly advice to some of the chatty Ducks. Boudreau pipes up from behind the plexiglass and Roy goes supernova on his fat ass, trying to shove the divider down on top of the bald piece of shit. Tough guy Boudreau bows up and backs up as assistant coaches drag Roy away and Ryan O`Reilly tries to eat Corey Perry's face off before the refs stop him. Bordeleau is personally escorted back to the bench by a contingent of zebras in order to prevent a re-enactment of that scene from The Transporter where Frank kicks down the door to the bad guys' house and proceeds to get medieval on rooms full of goons.</p>
<p>The refs finally let the Avs congratulate Varly and the home crowd goes home with some spectacular memories of Roy and MacKinnon's debut.</p>
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<h3>MHH Three <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Stars</a><br>
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<ol>
<li>Semyon Varlamov - 35 saves, great body control, excellent game</li>
<li>Ryan O`Reilly - Goal, Assist, 6 shots, all over the ice.</li>
<li>Nathan MacKinnon - 2 assists and was a pace-setter and contributor for most of the game, #2 Star on NHL Network<br>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Honorable Mentions:</p>
<ul>
<li>Steve Downie - Goal, Assist, Fight, standing up for his teammates, and one heck of a fine <strike>American</strike> Canadian!</li>
<li> Jamie McGinn - 2 goals, also stood up for his new linemate, and looked hungry all night. #3 star on NHL Network<br>
</li>
<li>Tyson Barrie - Smooth breakouts, jumped into plays well, and did everything right on the 2-on-1</li>
</ul>
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<h3>Lines</h3>
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<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>Slap Fight+ Downie</li>
<li>Landeskog - Stastny -Tanguay</li>
<li>McGinn - MacKinnon -Parenteau</li>
<li>Bordeleau - Mitchell -McLeod</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Johnson-Hejda</li>
<li>Sarich-Benoit </li>
<li>Barrie-Guenin </li>
</ul>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Varlamov<br>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div><font size="2">- Healthy Scratches: Cliche, Holden, Hunwick<span></span></font></div>
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<h3>Quick Hits</h3>
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<ul>
<li>The HD for the game on Center Ice looked much better tonight than last season (which was in 2012 for us since Mike refused to purchase Center Ice last year in protest of the lockout).<br>
</li>
<li> The Mrs. noticed that the Ducks have a guy named Lovejoy on their team and she immediately wondered if he's a fan of the PBS show that shares his name. I think we should send him a care package of DVD of the show, don't you?<br>
</li>
</ul>
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<h3>Next Up<br>
</h3>
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<p> </p>
<p>The Avs welcome <span>Pekka Rinne</span>, <span>Seth Jones</span>, and the rest of the Nashville Perds on Friday at 7 pm.</p>
https://www.milehighhockey.com/2013/10/3/4797270/2013-2014-nhl-avalanche-ducks-game-1-recapMike @ MHH2013-10-02T20:50:04-06:002013-10-02T20:50:04-06:00Ducks at Avs: Live Thread Part 3
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<figcaption>Jeff Gross</figcaption>
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<p>Turd!</p>
https://www.milehighhockey.com/2013/10/2/4796240/2013-2014-nhl-avalanche-ducks-live-threadCheryl Bradley2013-10-02T20:00:06-06:002013-10-02T20:00:06-06:00Ducks at Avs: Live Thread Part 2
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<figcaption>Jeff Gross</figcaption>
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<p>Part deux. Hopefully our boys are winning.</p>
https://www.milehighhockey.com/2013/10/2/4796232/2013-2014-nhl-avalanche-ducks-live-threadCheryl Bradley2013-10-02T18:00:06-06:002013-10-02T18:00:06-06:00Ducks at Avs: Live Thread Part 1
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<figcaption>Jeff Gross</figcaption>
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<p>Okay you rabid sons of bitches, there's something to talk about! Keep it clean. Threads for each period will be scheduled. Don't yell if they're early or late. Just be happy they're there.</p>
https://www.milehighhockey.com/2013/10/2/4796196/2013-2014-nhl-avalanche-ducks-live-threadCheryl Bradley2013-10-02T12:00:09-06:002013-10-02T12:00:09-06:00Prognosticators be Trippin'
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<figcaption>Doug Pensinger</figcaption>
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<p>Set yourself up for some bragging rights on Opening Night!! YEAH!!!!</p> <p>Pretty simple, really. Time to call it like you see it, ladies and somewhat gentlemen of Mile High Hockey. Just answer two simple questions for opening night. Put your fictional internet money where your mouth is.</p>
<p> </p>
<ol>
<li>Who gets the first goal for the Avs this season/tonight?</li>
<li>Which defenseman gets the first point of the 2013-2014 Avalanche season?</li>
</ol>
https://www.milehighhockey.com/2013/10/2/4791652/you-call-it-opening-nightMike @ MHH2013-10-02T06:00:14-06:002013-10-02T06:00:14-06:00Welcome Back, Avs
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<figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
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<p>The Colorado Avalanche (0-0-0) season opener kicks off with the visiting Anaheim Ducks (0-0-0), in what is the first of three meetings between the two sides. Last year, the Ducks won the season series winning two out of three games.</p> <p>Put down your peanuts and crackers jacks, because the real men of Denver have returned to town. Hockey is back, baby.</p>
<p>And with that, our screams of joy. Of anger. Of disappointment. Of ecstasy. But most importantly, we kick off the regular season on the day we're supposed to. It's almost easy to forget that game 1 of last year's "regular season" happened this very same calendar year. This time, no lockouts. No nonsense.</p>
<p>I think it's safe to say that we're all aware of the new roster changes, but here's the skinny for all you part-time lurkers out there: <span>Nathan MacKinnon</span> (#29), drafted first overall in the 2013 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NHL Draft</a>, will make his debut as a rookie. <span>Alex Tanguay</span> (#40) is making his return to the burgundy and blue after spending seven years with the <a href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Calgary Flames</a>, <a href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Montreal Canadiens</a>, and <a href="https://www.rawcharge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Lightning</a>. <span>Steve Downie</span> (#17), who missed all but two games last season, is practically a new signing for the Avs. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/71975/ryan-o-reilly#stories_tab">Ryan O'Reilly</a>'s (#90) contract fiasco is in the past, and we look forward to seeing how he blossoms into his newfound role as a winger. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54595/marc-andre-cliche#stories_tab">Marc-Andre Cliche</a> (#24) is a new center, but don't expect much noise coming from him.</p>
<p>Defensively, the Avs now have <span>Cory Sarich</span> (#16) who is essentially a stop-gap until one of the young blueliners - hopefully, <span>Duncan Siemens</span> or <span>Chris Bigras</span> - develops into an NHL force. Sarich, who's lost a couple of steps the past few years, was a defensive liability on numerous occasions with Calgary, so prepare to be frustrated. The spotlight perhaps shines brightest on the 22-year-old <span>Tyson Barrie</span> (#4), who is expected to contribute to the stat sheet as he quarterbacks one of the powerplay units. Remember, last season the Avs' defense notched a mere five goals. <span>Andre Benoit</span> (#61), <span>Nate Guenin</span> (#5), and <span>Nick Holden</span> (#2) round out the newcomers. In the absence of the injured <span>Ryan Wilson</span> (#44), the 30-year-old Guenin will be paired with Barrie tonight.</p>
<p>For an even more detailed overview of the entire starting roster, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighhockey.com/2013/9/30/4783708/the-colorado-avalanche-2013-2014-starting-roster">check out Sandie's piece</a>.</p>
<p>What about the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54540/bobby-ryan#stories_tab">Bobby Ryan</a>-less <a href="https://www.anaheimcalling.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Anaheim Ducks</a>? Well, they are already feeling the effects of the injury bug: <span>Jakob Silfverberg</span>, <span>Emerson Etem</span>, <span>Luca Sbisa</span> and <span>Sheldon Souray</span> are all on the IR.</p>
<p>With that in mind, this is the Ducks' current roster of 23:</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="703"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><b>Forwards</b></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><b>Defense</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Andrew Cogliano</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Ben Lovejoy</b></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Corey Perry</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Bryan Allen</b></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Daniel Winnik</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Cam Fowler</b></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Devante Smith-Pelly</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Francois Beauchemin</b></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Dustin Penner</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Hampus Lindholm</b></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Kyle Palmieri</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Mark Fistric</b></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54331/mathieu-perreault#stories_tab"><b>Mathieu Perreault</b></a></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Sami Vatanen</b></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Matt Beleskey</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Nick Bonino</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Patrick Maroon</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><b>Goalies</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Peter Holland</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Viktor Fasth</b></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Ryan Getzlaf</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Jonas Hiller</b></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Saku Koivu</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="136" valign="bottom">
<p align="center"><span><b>Teemu Selanne</b></span></p>
</td>
<td width="149" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p>Head on over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/">Anaheim Calling</a> for more coverage.</p>
<p>This is the season of new beginnings. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighhockey.com/2013/5/23/4360262/colorado-avalanche-announce-that-hall-of-famer-patrick-roy-is-new">Patrick Roy</a>. Joe Sakic. Nathan MacKinnon. Francois Allaire. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighhockey.com/2013/7/11/4514554/pepsi-center-gets-digital-overhaul">The Jumbotron</a>. <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AvsIceGirls">Ice girls</a>. Hell, I'll even throw in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/earl06">earl06</a>.</p>
<p>Some say the Avs are still a year or two away from being competitive. Maybe they're right. Maybe not. In either case, I want a season we can be proud of. Now is the time for the Avs to grow up. Now is the time for them to make their greatest strides yet. And tonight is the night they rock the Pepsi Center's roof off.</p>
<p>Preseason, you had my curiosity. Regular season, you have my attention.</p>
<p>Now bring on the gifs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>---</p>
<p> </p>
<p><i>7:30 PM MT/9:30 PM ET<br> TV: RDS2, ALT<br></i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighhockey.com/2013/9/30/4787472/2013-2014-avalanche-mhh-meetup-opening-night">Click here</a><i> for information on the Mile High Hockey pre-game meetup.</i></p>
https://www.milehighhockey.com/2013/10/2/4793820/preview-wild-at-avalanche-game-1SnowKomodo