Avalanche News

AWOL from Avs' turnabout - the fans
Comment
November 7
Denver Post
 columnist Dave Krieger
"What if they put on a hockey game and nobody came? No, it's not that bad yet. And yes, the people who remember Rockie hockey could tell you what happens when it gets that bad. But still, the Avalanche is facing what seems like a contradictory confluence of events. After finishing last season as the worst team in the NHL's Western Conference, the Avs surprised most everyone in the hockey world by sprinting to the top of the standings this season. Yet their attendance has continued the downward trajectory of the past three seasons, slipping below 15,000 fans a game through their first six home games. The obvious explanation is the economy, but the Nuggets' attendance is holding steady. In ..."
O'Reilly helps keep Avs perfect at home
Comment
November 7
Denver Post
 
"This season, it's almost as if former Broncos guard Keith Bishop pops onto the Avalanche bench every time Colorado falls behind 2-0 and repeats his famous pronouncement as Denver was about to embark on the late 98-yard drive against Cleveland in the 1987 AFC championship game: "We got 'em right where we want 'em." On Friday night at the Pepsi Center, the Avalanche kept its 2009-10 home record perfect through six games, getting two goals from rookie center Ryan O'Reilly and one from David Jones on the way to recovering from a two-goal first-period deficit and taking a 4-3 shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The shootout lasted eight rounds, ending when Colorado's Chris Stewart ..."
Avs win 4-3 in shootout
Comment
November 7
Denver Post
 
"This season, it's almost as if former Broncos guard Keith Bishop pops into the Avalanche bench every time Colorado falls behind 2-0 and repeats his famous pronouncement as Denver was about to embark on the late 98-yard drive against Cleveland in the 1987 AFC Championship game: "We got 'em right where we want 'em." On Friday at the Pepsi Center, Chicago jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead when Dustin Byfuglien scored on a power play at 6:27 and defenseman Duncan Keith got his fourth goal of the season at 10:36. But with rookie center Ryan O'Reilly scoring twice and David Jones adding a short-handed goal to jump-start Colorado, the Avalanche came from behind to remain perfect at home this ..."
Avalanche top Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in shootout
Comment
November 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"There's something about playing the Avalanche that makes the Blackhawks go the distance. For the second time this season, the teams locked horns in an extended shootout, and Friday night the result was different as the Avalanche defeated the Hawks 4-3 at the Pepsi Center. On Oct. 10, the Hawks earned a 4-3 decision in a franchise-record nine-round shootout. It went eight rounds Friday before Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson stopped the Hawks' Dustin Byfuglien to end the shootout and hand the Hawks their second loss in 24 hours. With the score tied 3-3 after regulation and overtime, Patrick Kane gave goalie Antti Niemi and the Hawks a 1-0 shootout lead as he led off with a score. The ..."
Short in a shootout
Comment
November 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche appear destined to play long games. They went nine rounds into a shootout in the Hawks' first game at the United Center this season before the Hawks pulled out a victory, and Friday the shootout went eight tension-packed rounds. The Avalanche took this one 4-3, with Chris Stewart making the decisive conversion before Dustin Byfuglien shot wide on his attempt to send the shootout to a ninth round. The Hawks couldn't feel too bad. They salvaged a point against the top team in the Western Conference without their top two centers. It was bad enough that the Hawks had to play their last six games without top-line center Jonathan Toews. On Friday, they also ..."
Liles leaves game after suffering a shoulder injury
Comment
November 7
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche defenseman John-Michael Liles didn't return to the game after suffering a shoulder injury late in the first period of what turned out to be Colorado's 4-3 shootout victory over the Blackhawks Friday night. "Credit the defensemen with playing with five 'D' for pretty much most of the game," Colorado coach Joe Sacco said. "They did a terrific job back there. That's not easy against an offense like that.""
Avs' Duchene sits with sore shoulder
Comment
November 6
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche rookie center Matt Duchene wasn't on the ice for practice Thursday at Family Sports Center. Coach Joe Sacco said Duchene had "a sore shoulder," but should be able to play against the Chicago Blackhawks Friday night at the Pepsi Center. "We just wanted to keep him off today and make sure we didn't do anything further to it," Sacco said after practice. "He should fine tomorrow night.""
Avs' success hasn't been an easy sell in Colorado market
Comment
November 6
Denver Post
 
"After the Avalanche franchise-low home attendance of 11,012 for the Phoenix game Wednesday, Colorado is averaging 14,759 through five home games. The average puts the Avalanche 25th in the NHL, ahead of only Florida, Tampa Bay, Nashville, the New York Islanders and Phoenix. "My initial reaction is surprise, that after this unbelievable start, we've been unable to get our attendance up to where I think it should be," said Paul Andrews, Kroenke Sports executive vice president. "Normally, I'd think it's because of the economy and ticket prices being what they are. But in our case, because we have so many low-cost options now, it's a little bit confusing to me still.""
Stats aren't flashy, but Svatos earns coach's praise
Comment
November 6
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche winger Marek Svatos had gone 10 games without a goal before he scored against Phoenix on Wednesday. His season numbers - three goals and one assist - going into tonight's home game against Chicago aren't impressive. But even before Svatos' flashy goal against the Coyotes, Colorado coach Joe Sacco had noticed recent improvement in Svatos' game and effort. "His compete level (Wednesday) was very high," Sacco said after the Avalanche's Thursday practice. "He was first to a lot of loose pucks, that's what I noticed. He was quick on the forecheck. He had a lot of jump, and he did a lot of the things we've been asking him to do. "I think over the course of the last few games, I haven't ..."
An all-time low welcomes Budaj back
Comment
November 5
Denver Post
 
"Apparently, Avalanche fans are going to need a little more proof that their team is as good as its record before they start showing up in larger numbers. The smallest crowd in Avs history witnessed Colorado's Western Conference-leading 11th win and 24th point Wednesday night, a 4-1 triumph over the Phoenix Coyotes. The announced attendance of 11,012 was more than 2,000 fewer than the previous low crowd, but that didn't stop the Avs from staying perfect (5-0) on home ice. "Our job is just to go out and play hockey and our job is to provide entertainment for our fans," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. "I think that we've done a good job of that this year so far." Two goals by veteran right wing ..."
Avs have a big hit behind the bench
Comment
November 5
Denver Post
 
"He comes from New England and has brought respectability back to a dormant Denver sports franchise. He is the coach of a team some people said would finish last in its division but has made it the talk of the league with a great start. Josh McDaniels, say hello to Joe Sacco, your new competition for "Hotshot new coach in the Mile High City." "I haven't met him, but I know he's doing a pretty nice job with his team," Sacco said of McDaniels, the Broncos' coach. "I wasn't too happy when they beat the Patriots, but I'm happy for him." Both first-year coaches are credited for more clearly defining their players' roles and developing an atmosphere of accountability. While Sacco's predecessor, ..."
Russian league team pushing to sign Forsberg
Comment
November 4
Denver Post
 
"The Russian team Ak Bars Kazan in recent days has made a significant push to sign former Avalanche star Peter Forsberg, attempting to steal him away from a potential NHL comeback. According to various news reports in Sweden and Slovakia, Ak Bars Kazan, a team from the country of Tatarstan, offered a large contract to Forsberg to play in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League. Forsberg also is being pursued by several NHL teams. Yahoo Sports reports the Philadelphia Flyers are the leading candidate to lure the former all-star back to NHL. The Washington Capitals, Montreal Cananiens and the Avalanche also have shown interest, according to Yahoo."
Avalanche goalie Anderson could draw Team USA duty in Olympics
Comment
November 3
Denver Post
 
"Craig Anderson stood on Vancouver soil Sunday night and should be here again later this month in another game between the Avalanche and Canucks. After that, Anderson and the Avs aren't scheduled to visit Vancouver until April. But would Anderson mind if he has to come here again in February? Not in the slightest. Anderson, whom Canucks coach Alain Vigneault called "the best player in the NHL right now" and who was named the NHL's first star for October on Monday, would love to make a side trip to the Winter Olympics as a goalie for Team USA. "To wear the jersey for your country, there's no greater honor," Anderson said. "If it just so happens that I get selected, that would be great." ..."
Avs' Anderson NHL first star of month
Comment
November 2
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson was named first star of the month for October by the NHL today. Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin and Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov join Anderson to round out the "Three Stars" for October. Anderson started all of Colorado's 14 games during the month and helped lift the Avs to first place in the Western Conference with his 10-2-2 record. His 10 victories tied the league record for October set by Detroit's Manny Legace in 2005."
Canucks take out Avalanche behind Raycroft netminding
Comment
November 2
Vancouver Sun
 
"Kyle Wellwood in, Michael Grabner out. Just another day in medical hell for the Vancouver Canucks, who shrugged off this latest calamity Sunday to sink the Colorado Avalanche 3-0. The Canucks were missing seven players due to various ailment with Grabner the newest casualty. According to head coach Alain Vigneault, Grabner "flipped his ankle" warming up prior to the game and will be out for "some time." Shane O'Brien, who was headed for healthy scratch land, was pressed into service while extra blueliner Aaron Rome again skated as a forward. The Western Conference leading Avalanche weren't exactly in the pink of health themselves with six players out as the NHL talent pool diminishes daily ..."
Canadians get it: Surprising Avalanche play is big news
Comment
November 2
Denver Post
 columnist Terry Frei
"Last week, when I covered Avalanche games in Edmonton and Calgary, and I noticed the swarms of media members posing questions to Colorado coach Joe Sacco and the players, it hit me: The Avs' shockingly fast start was a bigger story in Canada than it was in Denver. Granted, I've visited Canada for more than 30 years to cover the NHL. I long ago learned that the guy who usually takes the faceoffs is the centre; that Tim Hortons is where you go for an apple fritter and coffee; that walking a kilometer in minus 10-degree Celsius weather can be difficult; that Canadian sitcoms generally are better than ours; and that, most of all, hockey is king. So I understand that there always has been ..."
Avalanche stumbles against former goalie
Comment
November 2
Denver Post
 
"The old sports saw goes something like this: When your top guys are out, the lower-tier guys need to overachieve a little more to make up the difference. But right now the Avalanche is a team whose lower-tier guys are out, and the top-dollar guys aren't doing anything to make that irrelevant. While some of Colorado's key role players remain sidelined with injuries, the Avs' top forwards were quiet again Sunday night in a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. The loss stung a little more, given the shutout went to former Avs goalie Andrew Raycroft, playing in place of injured all-star Roberto Luongo. Colorado's top line of Paul Stastny, Milan Hejduk and Wojtek Wolski could not do much of ..."
Bonus bonanza inflates deal for Duchene
Comment
November 2
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene's base salary with the Avalanche is $900,000, but his "hit" to the team's salary cap is a hefty $3.4 million. The reason: bonuses, baby. Duchene has several bonuses, most of them award- based, that the Avs might not have to pay, but for cap purposes it doesn't matter. Together, the bonuses can earn Duchene an extra $2.5 million for each of the next three seasons, the length of his contract. There is the chance Du- chene's cap number could suddenly be lowered, however, if during the regular season it becomes impossible to achieve a certain bonus — such as total games played. Avs general manager Greg Sherman said NHL teams are allowed to go over a percentage of the official ..."
Tambellini traces roots to Colorado
Comment
November 1
Denver Post
 columnist Terry Frei
"I've heard similar remembrances from former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies hockey players of the 1970s and '80s. "We lived off Arapahoe Road," Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini said at Rexall Place. "There was one other development past us, and that was like the end of the city, right?" Right. In March 1981, Tambellini was a 22-year-old center when the New York Islanders traded him, plus goaltender Glenn "Chico" Resch, to the Rockies for defenseman Mike McEwen and goalie Jari Kaarela. I met Tambellini's flight to Denver, and although he said all the right things, I got the impression he was trying to convince himself that going from the defending Stanley Cup champions ..."
Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj still waiting to work after bout of swine flu
Comment
November 1
Denver Post
 
"The only news goal-tender Peter Budaj has made so far this season is from having the H1N1 virus. It's a fair statement, therefore, that he's had better months than the just-completed October. Budaj has emerged hale and hearty from a couple of bed-ridden days, however, and is excited to get back in the net for the Avalanche. He will have to keep waiting. Avs coach Joe Sacco is going to keep riding his hot starting goalie, Craig Anderson, who will get his 15th consecutive start tonight against the Vancouver Canucks at General Motors Place. Budaj wants to play, but he isn't pouting. "(Anderson) has played amazing and he's deserved to get all the starts he has - and we've been winning games, ..."
At last, Clowe leads way to a Sharks win
Comment
October 31
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Ryane Clowe had talked for days about how it was time for him to "get off the schneid.'' He was still looking for his first goal of the season, and he knew the Sharks expected more after signing him to a new four-year, $14.5 million contract over the summer. Friday night, Clowe and the schneid parted company. His goal broke up a scoreless game to lead help give the Sharks a 3-1 victory over the Western Conference-leading Colorado Avalanche at HP Pavilion. Dany Heatley and Jamie McGinn added goals as the Sharks beat the NHL's hottest goalie, Craig Anderson, to win their sixth game in the past seven. "I thought the period was over," Clowe said of his goal that came with just 5.9 seconds ..."
Galiardi expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks
Comment
October 31
Denver Post
 
"The Avalanche will be without the services of rookie T.J. Galiardi for four to six weeks. Galiardi's right ankle injury, suffered in the second period of Wednesday's game against Calgary, worsened to the point where he needs a walking cast. The Avs listed no specifics about the injury, but it is believed to be at least a high ankle sprain. "It's another opportunity for a different player to come in and see what he can do," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. The Avs recalled forward Phillipe Dupuis from Lake Erie (AHL), but he was not in the lineup against San Jose. T.J. Hensick was in the lineup for just the third time this season. Galiardi had been playing primarily on the third line at left wing. ..."
Avalanche grounded at San Jose
Comment
October 31
Denver Post
 
"Craig Anderson stole a victory Wednesday night. It would have been something on the order of grand larceny if he'd been able to will the Avalanche to another victory Friday night. Anderson again was brilliant against the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion, but the rest of his teammates were dominated in the Sharks' 3-1 victory that snapped Colorado's four-game winning streak. In what was probably the Avs' worst performance of the season, the fact that there was any suspense at all in the outcome by the third period was because of Anderson. The final shot total was San Jose 46, Colorado 25."
Sutter finds some positives in defeat against Avalanche
Comment
October 30
Calgary Herald
 
"This, chimed the merry members of the media, could be pretty rich. First thing Thursday morning, Brent Sutter demanded that his players gather around him at the far boards. Bearing in mind that the Calgary Flames had wheezed away a two-goal lead to a tired outfit the previous night, this figured to be a rant of epic proportions. So reporters, rubbing their hands together, settled in for the fireworks. The arena clock was checked and noted, 10:24 a.m. — all the better to track the duration of the cuss-out. Fresh notepad pages were secured — all the better to record the number of high-decibel f-bombs. Players rapt, Sutter cleared his throat and began. On and on, it went. Five, six minutes. ..."
Sharks face rejuvenated Avalanche team
Comment
October 30
San Jose Mercury News
 
"When the Sharks lost to the Colorado Avalanche on opening night, the 5-2 defeat was magnified by the fact San Jose was outplayed by the team that had finished the previous season as the Western Conference's worst. But Colorado, which comes to HP Pavilion tonight as the Sharks close out a two-game homestand, holds the NHL's best record at 10-1-2. Does that take some of the sting out of that initial loss? "I don't think that's the way we look at it." Sharks coach Todd McLellan said Thursday. "That night in Colorado, we were sloppy enough to lose the game, didn't play well defensively, special teams weren't real sharp. That's what we'll take out of it." That first game did give the NHL the ..."
Ankle injury sends Galiardi back to Denver
Comment
October 30
Denver Post
 
"Second only to victories are the number of injuries piling up for the Avalanche. Valuable third-line center and penalty-killing specialist T.J. Galiardi is the latest to go down, with the Avs sending him back to Denver on Thursday to have his right ankle evaluated. Until a diagnosis comes back, most likely today, Galiardi is listed as out indefinitely. The Avs did not recall any player from the minors, which means T.J. Hensick is likely to be back in the lineup tonight against the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion. Galiardi, who suffered the injury in the second period of Wednesday's victory against Calgary, appeared to twist his ankle after being hauled down along the boards. The injury ..."
Flames crumble to Avs
Comment
October 29
Calgary Sun
 
"The Colorado Avalanche may be over-achieving, but there are reasons they sit atop the NHL standings. Especially a never-say-die attitude and great goaltending. The Calgary Flames found out first-hand. Despite setting a franchise record for the fastest two goals to start a home game, the Flames became just the latest victim of the surprising Avs in last night's 3-2 loss. On a night the Flames had all kinds of advantages in their favour — a few days of rest and Colorado playing the night before being two of them — they failed to take advantage. So, instead of stating their case as to which Northwest team is the one to fear these days, Calgary had its three-game winning streak snapped, while ..."
'09 top draft picks make the cut, staying in NHL
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October 29
NHL.com
 
"Six players taken in the 2009 Entry Draft made their NHL team's opening-night roster. Making the League is one thing; staying there is another. But for the special six from this June's draft, they all passed their first major test. John Tavares (No. 1, Islanders), Victor Hedman (No. 2, Lightning), Matt Duchene (No. 3, Colorado), Evander Kane (No. 4, Thrashers), Dmitry Kulikov (No. 14, Panthers) and Ryan O'Reilly (No. 33, Avalanche) haven't all passed the 10-game threshold, but all have been told that they should look into permanent housing. Teams have nine games to evaluate their teenage prospects before having to make a decision on whether to keep them -- and activate their entry-level ..."
Goalie takes long road to success
Comment
October 28
Edmonton Journal
 
"While Peter Budaj recovers in Denver from the swine flu, Craig Anderson has been on fire. Anderson has been one of the hottest NHL goalies in the season's first month, playing every minute of the Colorado Avalanche's 12 games, proving that stopping pucks is the only position where teams don't write you off the older you get. Anderson, the league's best free-agent signing at a salary-cap hit of $1.8 million US over two years, has patiently bided his time to be the go-to guy in net. He was originally drafted by Calgary in 1999, but the Flames didn't sign him and he went back into the draft in 2001, when the Chicago Blackhawks took him. He was on waivers three times in less than three weeks ..."
Avalanche start out hot with win against Oilers
Comment
October 28
Denver Post
 
"As the Avalanche makes the early-season rounds of NHL cities, and especially when it plays in Canada, it has been greeted with raised eyebrows, incredulity and - increasingly - respectful recognition that this fast start might not be one of those rather commonplace NHL October aberrations. The collective reaction seems to be: Whoa, these guys really are good. Colorado improved to a staggering 9-1-2 on Tuesday night with a workmanlike 3-0 victory over Ed-monton at Rexall Place, with Craig Anderson making 25 saves to get his second shutout of the season as the Oilers went 0-for-3 on the power play. Milan Hejduk's goal only 25 seconds into the game would have been enough, but Wojtek Wolski ..."
Anderson's shutout and two goals from Wolski help lift the Avalanche
Comment
October 28
Denver Post
 
"As the Avalanche makes the early-season rounds of NHL cities, and especially when it plays in Canada, it has been greeted with raised eyebrows, incredulity and — increasingly — respectful recognition that this fast start might not be one of those rather commonplace NHL October aberrations. The collective reaction seems to be: Whoa, these guys really are good. Colorado improved to a staggering 9-1-2 on Tuesday night with a workmanlike 3-0 victory over Ed-monton at Rexall Place, with Craig Anderson making 25 saves to get his second shutout of the season as the Oilers went 0-for-3 on the power play. Milan Hejduk's goal only 25 seconds into the game would have been enough, but Wojtek Wolski ..."
Avalanche coach Sacco confirms Budaj is battling swine flu
Comment
October 28
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche coach Joe Sacco confirmed Tuesday that backup goalie Peter Budaj, who missed his scheduled first start of the season Friday because of illness, has been diagnosed with swine flu, the H1N1 virus. "We've taken the necessary steps, the necessary precautions, to keep him away from the guys at the right time," Sacco said. "Hopefully, he'll be joining us on this trip." Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman said Tuesday that before the season, the team's medical and training staff formulated a conditional plan that would kick in if any players were diagnosed with H1N1. He said that plan — primarily involving isolation for any stricken player and additional preventive medications for ..."
Swine flu fells Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj
Comment
October 27
Denver Post
 
"After the Avalanche morning skate today at Rexall Place, Colorado coach Joe Sacco confirmed that backup goalie Peter Budaj, who missed his scheduled first start of the season last Friday because of illness, has been diagnosed with swine flu, or the H1N1 virus. "We've taken the necessary steps, the necessary precautions, to keep him away from the guys at the right time," Sacco said. "Hopefully, he'll be joining us on this trip." Craig Anderson will make his 12th consecutive start in the Colorado net tonight. Tyler Weiman, recalled from Lake Erie last week, will back him up. Budaj was set to start in goal last Friday in Denver against Carolina. But he fell ill Thursday afternoon with ..."
Avs go from longshots to hotshots
Comment
October 27
Edmonton Journal
 
"They were the team voted least likely to succeed, yet the Colorado Avalanche are perched atop the Western Conference standings with an eye-popping 8-1-2 record. Longshots to hotshots they are. This time last year, the Avs were 5-6, after which they stumbled to the end of the season with a measly 69 points --the third-lowest in the NHL. Their 32-45-5 season summation was the club's worst, and following the retirement of Joe Sakic, they went into the 2009-10 season as 75-1 long shots to win the Stanley Cup. So what gives? The Avs are anchored by a goaltender who was just another journeyman before he signed on in the off-season, their head coach, Joe Sacco, is an NHL rookie, and he is ..."
Avs worst in NHL at allowing shots, but goalie Anderson has gotten job done
Comment
October 27
Denver Post
 
"No team in the NHL has allowed more shots on goal than the Avalanche. Yet no team had more points entering Monday than the Avs, which says it all about the job goalie Craig Anderson has done. The Avs know they're going to have to lighten Anderson's workload, however, if they want such a haughty won-loss record down the road. "We've got to cut down on the shots against," Avs defenseman Brett Clark said. "We've got to get a lot more shots for us. We've got to cut down on some turnovers and just keep things simple and keep the shots to the outside." The Avs enter tonight's contest at Edmonton allowing an average of 34 shots a game. Anderson has allowed only 26 goals on the 374 shots he's ..."
Goalie keeps Wings in check
Comment
October 25
Denver Post
 
"He certainly doesn't have hair like one, but Craig Anderson is becoming a rock star in Denver. With chants of "An-Dee!" coursing through the Pepsi Center, Anderson gave Avalanche fans an encore appearance as the game's No. 1 star in Colorado's 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. Anderson was unbelievable, stopping 48-of-49 shots to raise the Avs' Western Conference-leading point total to 18. Chris Stewart's long wrist shot that caught Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard leaning the wrong way broke a 1-1 tie midway through the third period, and Anderson did the rest, stopping all 21 shots he faced in the final 20 minutes. "It's a feeling you can't explain," said Anderson, when ..."
0-8 power failure helps keep Red Wings winless on road
Comment
October 25
Detroit Free Press
 
"A relentless attack, on power plays and at even strength, was not enough to overturn the Red Wings' road woes. Chris Stewart tore a shot behind Jimmy Howard midway through the third period, and Paul Stastny added an empty-net goal to hand Detroit a 3-1 loss Saturday at Pepsi Center. The Wings' power play went 0-for-8, failing to score for the first time this season, and Craig Anderson turned away 48 shots to leave Detroit 0-3-1 on the road despite outplaying the Avalanche from start to finish. "We played good," coach Mike Babcock said. "I think when you're in a situation where we are where you haven't been winning enough, you can make this into something it isn't. We played good. Their ..."
Red Wings waste chance after chance
Comment
October 25
Detroit News
 
"It's starting to feel like Groundhog Day for the Red Wings. Scoring chance after scoring chance went wanting Saturday night, especially in the third period, and the Wings' road winless streak hit four games, losing to the Colorado Avalanche for the second time in a week, 3-1. "When you are in a situation like we are where you aren't winning enough, you can make this into something it isn't," coach Mike Babcock said. "We played real good tonight. Their goalie stood on his head. We had every chance in the world and it just didn't go for us. "But if you play as hard as we did tonight, stay determined, you are going to get your chances." Chris Stewart, who set up the Avs' first goal, scored ..."
Tucker leaves hospital, not due back soon
Comment
October 25
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche veteran left wing Darcy Tucker probably won't be back anytime soon, but the fact he should be back at all this season might be considered a victory. Tucker suffered a concussion and needed stitches following a hit from behind by Carolina's Tuomo Ruutu on Friday night. The Avs are saying Tucker will be sidelined indefinitely and will not travel with the team on its upcoming four-game road trip. After an initial scare about his reflexes and mobility, Tucker regained full ambulatory response and checked out of a hospital Saturday morning. "It's good news. He's got a concussion, though, and we'll just hope he can come back when he's ready," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. Ruutu was ..."
Avs' Budaj out with flu; Anderson back in
Comment
October 24
Denver Post
 
"About Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson's night off ... Never mind. Colorado backup goalie Peter Budaj, scheduled to get his first start of the season tonight against Carolina, has the flu and won't play. Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said Anderson would start his 10th consecutive game tonight. Tyler Weiman was recalled from Lake Erie, was at the morning skate today and will suit up as Anderson's backup. "Peter came down with some flu-like symptoms (Thursday) afternoon," Sacco said this morning. "I made a call to Craig and informed him that he was going to be playing today." In six games with Lake Erie this season, Weiman has a 3-3 record, a 2.16 goals-against average and a .916 saves ..."
Avs show some grit
Comment
October 24
Denver Post
 
"The game wasn't even six minutes old and already the Avalanche was down by two goals to its natural-disaster-nicknamed brethren from Carolina. It was just the kind of game, in other words, where the Avs of last season would have packed it in and seen things get worse as it went along. The final Friday night, though, finished 5-4 in favor of the Avalanche over the Hurricanes. A game the Avs might not have deserved to win, but did anyway - something not seen around these parts for a while. "It was a great win for us," said Avs coach Joe Sacco, whose team improved to 7-1-2. "The way we battled back after a slow start showed a lot of character." While the win, in front of a surprisingly light ..."
Tucker is taken off ice on stretcher after hit
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October 24
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche veteran Darcy Tucker was seriously injured in Friday's game against Carolina when he was slammed into the boards by the Hurricanes' Tuomo Ruutu in the second period. The Avs were awaiting further tests on Tucker, who was taken off the ice on a stretcher and taken to a hospital. But the news was somewhat encouraging after the game, in that Tucker had mobility and was alert after losing consciousness. Tucker suffered the injury when his head hit the glass after Ruutu's hit from behind, which drew a five-minute major boarding penalty and a game misconduct. At the least, Tucker suffered a concussion, the team said, and needed stitches for a cut on the head. Captain Adam Foote was ..."
Avalanche goalie Anderson gets first rest; Budaj to start vs. Hurricanes
Comment
October 23
Denver Post
 
"Glenn Hall's NHL record of 502 straight games started by a goalie is still safe - Craig Anderson won't play all 82 games this season for the Avalanche. Backup Peter Budaj will get his first start of the season tonight in Colorado's ninth game, at home against the Carolina Hurricanes. "I think it's the right time to get Peter in there and it's the right time to give Craig a night off," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. "We've been riding Craig, but everybody here has faith in Peter. He's going to play a great game for us." Budaj, the starting goalie on opening night the previous two seasons, has tried to stay sharp by working extensively with new Avs goalie coach Jocelyn Thibault. Anderson is ..."
Mikko Koivu leads Minnesota Wild to shootout victory
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October 22
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"A day earlier, Wild coach Todd Richards named Mikko Koivu as his permanent captain. On Wednesday night, Richards selected Koivu to begin Minnesota's shootout rotation. "Easy choice," Richards said. Well, yes. Koivu, who scored the tying goal late in the third period, notched the only goal of the shootout to hoist the Wild to a 3-2 home victory over the Colorado Avalanche and single-handedly put a stake in the heart of his team's ominous five-game losing streak. Koivu called his first day as full-time captain "a special day," but noted that "it's about the team. We did find a way tonight. It's a good feeling." It felt good because the Wild, now 2-0 at the Xcel Energy Center and 0-6 on the ..."
Wild turns tables on Avalanche
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October 22
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Boos showered the ice during an aggravating second period Wednesday night, which is why in the end, it's amazing the Wild didn't shower in champagne. The Wild, which made losing an art during its five-game road trip, actually figured out how to win a game for the first time in 15 days. During his first night with a permanent "C" on his chest, captain Mikko Koivu set up one goal, scored the tying goal and registered the lone shootout goal during a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the Western-Conference-leading Colorado Avalanche. "I try to do that every night, though," Koivu said. The 2-6 Wild avoided its first six-game regulation losing streak in franchise history when Koivu redirected ..."
Avalanche falls to Wild to conclude productive road trip
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October 22
Denver Post
 
"After taking an inadvertent Minnesota stick in the eye area late in the second period Wednesday night, Avalanche winger Cody McLeod was stunned but continued to go to the Wild net. McLeod got off a shot against Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom, who made the save. When Kyle Quincey put the rebound past Backstrom for the Avalanche's second goal in what turned out to be Colorado's 3-2 shootout loss to the Wild, McLeod couldn't join the celebration. He skated to the bench, doubled over in pain, then went to the dressing room and, ultimately, to a nearby hospital. Some nights, a single sequence is more memorable than the final score. After the game, the Avalanche - which also got Darcy Tucker's ..."
Former Avalanche assistant Barr, now with Wild, not bitter
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October 22
Denver Post
 
"Dave Barr, an Avalanche assistant coach under Tony Granato last season, saw his former team from up close Wednesday - from the Minnesota Wild bench. After the offseason purge of the Colorado coaching staff, Barr became an assistant under new Minnesota head coach Todd Richards. Barr was a playing assistant coach with the International Hockey League's Orlando Solar Bears as his playing career wound down, and Richards was a teammate. "I have a good relationship with him, and I guess I was a good fit for what he was looking for in working with the forwards," Barr said Wednesday morning at the Xcel Energy Center. Barr said he wasn't embittered by the Avalanche housecleaning. "I was disappointed ..."
Avalanche rookies Duchene, O'Reilly stay with team
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October 21
Denver Post
 
"It wasn't unexpected, but nevertheless 18-year-old centers Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly were thrilled when told they would remain with the Avs past the first 10 games, meaning they would not be eligible to return to major junior this season. "Accomplishing your dream is just unbelievable," Duchene said Tuesday. "Ryan and I were talking, saying, 'Everything we set out to do, we've accomplished.' " Duchene and O'Reilly could still be sent to the minors, but for now, they can settle in Denver."
Avalanche's Wolski playing less but not complaining
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October 21
Denver Post
 
"Despite leading the Avs with four goals, winger Wojtek Wolski has found an uncomfortable seat in front of coach Joe Sacco with the game on the line in two of Colorado's past six games. Wolski, who is tied with Milan Hejduk for a team-high seven points, played a season-low 12 shifts in Saturday's 4-3 shootout victory at Detroit and was not one of the three players picked to make an attempt on goalie Chris Osgood, despite owning the NHL's best career shootout percentage. But Wolski is not complaining as the Avs sit atop the Western Conference with 13 points. "With a 6-1-1 record, I don't think anyone is bothered or worried about their role," Wolski said Tuesday after practice in preparation ..."
Late comeback haunts Red Wings
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October 21
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Red Wings blew a two-goal lead for the third time in seven games on Saturday night and ended up losing 4-3 in a shootout to the Colorado Avalanche at Joe Louis Arena. "I just felt it was one of those games, you have everything going your way and you should bury 'em," said Wings coach Mike Babcock. "We let them stay in the game instead of putting a knife in them and it came back to haunt us. "It's a point that we let get away that we shouldn't at home." Valtteri Filppula scored at 13:37 of the third to give the Wings the lead again, 3-2. But the Wings were caught on a line change late, resulting in a 3-on-2 rush that ended with Cody McLeod's second goal of the game at 17:28. Milan ..."