Mile High Hockey - Avalanche at Stars, Game 52Colorado Avalanche and all hockey coverage in the Mile High statehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50889/mhh-fav.png2014-01-28T09:18:33-07:00http://www.milehighhockey.com/rss/stream/51253512014-01-28T09:18:33-07:002014-01-28T09:18:33-07:00Quote of the Night complete with gifs!
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<figcaption>Tom Pennington</figcaption>
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<p>What a bunch of maroons!</p> <p>Mike's under attack from his offspring, who is engaging in biological warfare (or so I've been told). So I'm taking on Quote of the Night duties.</p>
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<h4>Comment Leaders</h4>
<p>(#1 won't surprise anyone):</p>
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<td><b>Rank </b></td>
<td><b>Member</b></td>
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<td><span>1</span></td>
<td><span>Americanario</span></td>
<td><span>133</span></td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><span>FrostyBear21</span></td>
<td><span>113</span></td>
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<td>3</td>
<td><span>SteveHouse</span></td>
<td><span>94</span></td>
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<td>4</td>
<td><span>Stachi</span></td>
<td><span>92</span></td>
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<td>5</td>
<td><span>niwotsblessing </span></td>
<td><span>90</span></td>
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<h4>Most recommended comments</h4>
<p>(with 5 recs each):</p>
<p><b>1.</b> You have to understand context, here. At the close of regulation, faydout celebrated the victory with this gif:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/2032153/445.gif"><img alt="445_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/2032153/445_medium.gif"></a></p>
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<p>SteveHouse received all sorts of green for this response:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/2032159/xBI5MNM.gif"><img alt="Xbi5mnm_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/2032159/xBI5MNM_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p><b>2</b>. This gif showed up twice in the thread, but Cole was the first to bust it out. Someone save this please.</p>
<p><br><img src="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-xlarge/19dvkfj06xe61gif.gif"></p>
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<h4>Quote of the Night</h4>
<p>From c6hors</p>
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<h5><span>Is it coincidence that the dinner I was cooking just HAPPENED TO BE DONE when McGinn scored?</span></h5>
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https://www.milehighhockey.com/2014/1/28/5353914/game-52-quote-of-the-night-flipping-goaliesCheryl Bradley2014-01-27T21:21:58-07:002014-01-27T21:21:58-07:00"A Shootout at the O.K. Corral" - Mark Rycroft
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<figcaption>Tom Pennington</figcaption>
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<p>The Avs hit Dallas, playing a red-hot Stars for the fifth and final time this season.</p> <p>The two teams were a little choppy to start, but 1:40 into the game, <span>Tyson Barrie</span> sent an easy wrister on net. The rebound came right out to <span>Maxime Talbot</span>, who did a between-the-legs pass to Nathan MacKinnon. Nate showed yet another reason why he went first overall by flipping a sneaky backhander behind <span>Kari Lehtonen</span> to put the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> up early on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Dallas Stars</a>.</p>
<p>As would be expected from these two fast teams, play screamed up and down the ice with both sides getting opportunities. Avs controlled the first 6 minutes of play. The Stars pushed the pace of the next 6. Sharp play by <span>Semyon Varlamov</span> and Lehtonen continued to keep the rubber out of both nets.</p>
<p>With just under five minutes left in the first, Jaime McGinn cashed in once again from being on a line with <span>Ryan O`Reilly</span> and Matt Duchene. The three players crashed the net, and Duchene floated a puck while on the move to McGinn, who was cruising right into the slot. McGinn's first shot bounced off Lehtonen's pad, but Fatty didn't miss his second chance and hit twine to put the good guys up two to zip. Fun fact: In one period, the Avs scored more goals against the Stars than Dallas had allowed in the last three games combined.</p>
<p>But the Stars weren't okay with the action all being about the Avs. Jaime Benn buried a gorgeous goal off of a pass from <span>Tyler Seguin</span>, splitting the lead in half. Just about two minute later, John Mitchell took a hooking penalty as he tried to slow down the Stars' action behind the net. However, straight off on the face off, <span>Erik Cole</span> held up Talbot on the face off and got himself an interference penalty. The final thirty seconds were four-on-four, but nobody scored. First frame ended two to one Avalanche.</p>
<p>The second period started with some more four-on-four, but <span>Nick Holden</span> got his stick under the skates of Seguin and put the Stars on the unusual 4-on-3. It proved to be advantageous. Slick puck movement criss-crossing the Avs' zone ended up on Seguin's stick, who lifted the puck just over Varlamov's pads, tying the game at two. The Stars continued their attack as Cole's penalty ticked away, leaving just Holden in the box for 50ish seconds. SIDE NOTE: Roy looked PISSED about Holden's penalty. #bodylanguage</p>
<p>The Avs were successful on the remaining PK, but momentum was all on Dallas's side until <span>Antoine Roussel</span> got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for going after O'Reilly. It was the result of an unfortunate collision at the blueline, to which the Stars player took exception. In real time, it did look like O'Reilly might've taken some liberties, but the slow mo clearly showed it was incidental. Unfortunately, the Avs weren't nearly as successful on the PP as their opponent, giving up a number of short-handed chances, including a breakaway, while not generated much themselves.</p>
<p>The next 15 minutes was filled with crazy chances and crazier saves. I can only imagine the aneurysm Moser was having. In addition to speed and offense, the game took on a ball-busting physicality that had anger bubbling just below the surface. While there wasn't much posturing, there were hits that were designed to hurt. Many an ice pack would be used tonight.</p>
<p>What looked to be Duchene finally getting a call for being mauled was actually a Too Many Men penalty against the Stars. Ray Whitney sat while the Avs went on the power play. After some hard work and missed chances, <span>Paul Stastny</span> got his fifth goal in five games against the Dallas Stars. He used is strength to fight his way to the crease and backhanded one home.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the lead was short-lived as Dallas came right back to tie it up at 3 on a shot that sneaked through Varly's arm. It is one he certainly wants back. The middle frame ended with a clean slate as the score was tied at three.</p>
<p>Two minutes into the third, <span>Nate Guenin</span> got nabbed for holding, putting the Stars on their third power play of the game. Fortunately, the Avs kept them off the board and then brought the puck down to get the go-ahead goal. Tanguay picked up the biscuit at the left face off dot and sent it into the crease. Rather than connecting with Stastny, the puck bounced off <span>Sergei Gonchar</span> and behind Lehtonen.</p>
<p>With just over ten minutes left in the third period, <span>Patrick Bordeleau</span> sent the puck over the glass to get a delay of game penalty. Even worse, a fan got nailed by it. Ouchie. A combination of aggressive killers and stellar goaltending kept the score at 4-3, however.</p>
<p>With four minutes left in the third, the Stars really started throwing everything plus the kitchen sink at Varly. Dallas played with an empty net for the final minute of the period. Mitchell negated an icing to keep the play moving and out of the Avs' zone. The final buzzer sounded with the Avs taking the game 4 to 3.</p>
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<h4>MHH Three Stars</h4>
<p>1. Semyon Varlamov<br>2. Paul Stastny<br>3. Maxime Talbot</p>
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<h4>Quick Hits</h4>
<p>- MacKinnon averages two minutes less than Duchene and Landeskog and three minutes less than O'Reilly, but he's still in the same conversation in points this season</p>
<p>- Varlamov tied his career-high with his 26th win</p>
<p>- Stars doubled up on the Avs on shots, 44 to 21</p>
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https://www.milehighhockey.com/2014/1/27/5352332/2013-2014-nhl-avalanche-starsCheryl Bradley2014-01-27T08:01:03-07:002014-01-27T08:01:03-07:00Preview: Avs at Stars, 6:30pm MT
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Colorado Avalanche finish out the regular season series against the Dallas Stars in Central Division matchup OF DOOOOOM!!</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> visit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Dallas Stars</a>: Monday, Jan 28, 6:30pm MT</i></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Avs will face the Dallas Stars for the final time of the regular season this evening. Dallas stands in 10<sup>th</sup> place, only two spots out of the playoffs, and only 6 points behind 8<sup>th</sup> place Minnesota. The Avs are sitting at a solid 5<sup>th</sup> in the conference with 69 points, but LA, Vancouver, and Minnesota are starting to sniff at our heels, and all are within 7 points back. Time to keep up that nice play, boys!</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In the first four meetings between these two teams, the Avs have come out on top 3-1 in the series. However, three of those games have been 1-point games. This season has been pretty rough-and-tumble affairs with the Stars, and tensions have been running high: a total of 41 penalties for 112 minutes in those four games alone, including a <span>Gabriel Landeskog</span> bout against <span>Alex Chiasson</span>. Last game on December 17, a loss for the Avalanche, was especially chippy with 7 penalties taken per team (including a Dallas double minor) and a different fight. We could see a lot of grumpiness on the ice tonight, especially with teams starting to feel that playoff push coming up.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Stars are coming off of three wins in a row, scoring tons of goals against their opponents. Over those three, they've kept the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Wild</a>, the Leafs, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Penguins</a> to a combined 1 goal, while putting 14 goals up themselves. <span>Kari Lehtonen</span> has faced 67 shots. <span>Jamie Benn</span> has led the scoring with 6 points, but defensemen <span>Alex Goligoski</span> and <span>Sergei Gonchar</span> have helped considerably with 5 and 4 points respectively. One could say that they are playing pretty well at the moment.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Avs have been doing all right, winning a three of their last five games, but they haven't looked quite themselves. The recent, and already much-discussed, additions of <span>P.A. Parenteau</span> and <span>Alex Tanguay</span> from the injured reserve has given the Avs the firepower they need to explode on offense, but the adjustment seems to be taking a little bit of time. The game against the Stars should be a good test: <span>Semyon Varlamov</span>, who has played very well against the Stars this season, should be in net, and Tangs (who had last night off last night to be sure he was well rested) should be back in the lineup. Nathan MacKinnon has averaged a point a game for five points over the last five games, and <span>Nick Holden</span> and Ryan O'Reilly each snagged four.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A couple of players to keep an eye out for this game are Dallas players <span>Tyler Seguin</span> and Rich Peverly. They have combined for 9 points against the Avs in the first four games. On the other side, <span>Paul Stastny</span> has 6 points in the first four, helped by his 4 point night during a 6-2 victory on December 16. Also doing well is PAP with 5 points in those four games against, and <span>Matt Duchene</span>, who also has 5 points against. I would very much like to see Dutchie have a huge game tonight; his good play should be rewarded by getting his name on the score sheet.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>Projected Avs Lineup:</b></i></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Jamie McGinn</span> – Matt Duchene – Ryan O'Reilly</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Alex Tanguay – Paul Stastny – Gabe Landeskog</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">P.A. Parenteau – <span>Nathan MacKinnon</span> – <span>Maxime Talbot</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Cody McLeod</span> – John Mitchell – <span>Patrick Bordeleau</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Jan Hejda</span> – <span>Erik Johnson</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Nate Guenin</span> – <span>Andre Benoit</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Nick Holden – <span>Tyson Barrie</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Semyon Varlamov, J.S. Giguere, <span>Sami Aittokallio</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>Projected Stars Lineup:</b></i></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Tyler Seguin – Jamie Benn – <span>Valeri Nichushkin</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Rich Peverly – <span>Shawn Horcoff</span> – Alex Chaisson</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Ryan Garbutt</span> – <span>Cody Eakin</span> – <span>Antoine Roussel</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Ray Whitney</span> – <span>Vernon Fiddler</span> – <span>Erik Cole</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Trevor Daley</span> – Alex Goligoski</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Aaron Rome</span> – Sergei Gonchar</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Brendon Dillon – <span>Jordie Benn</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Kari Lehtonen, <span>Dan Ellis</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">If you're itching for another perspective, go check out <a href="http://www.defendingbigd.com/" target="_blank">Defending Big D</a>. See you all at 6:30pm MT! Go Avs Go!</p>
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https://www.milehighhockey.com/2014/1/27/5349582/preview-avs-at-stars-6-30pm-mtmfured20