(a bunch of minor leaguers disguised as) The Colorado Avalanche won a game! After losing 8 straight, the Avs went to Vancouver and beat Sundin, the Sedin Twins and Roberto Luongo and the rest of the Canucks, 4-1. A line of Galiardi, Tucker and Hejduk dominated the game – Galiardi had 2 goals and Hejduk had a 1 goal and 2 assists. Guite had the other Avs goal. Demitra scored the only goal for Vancouver. Highlights.
What Impressed Me
TJ Galiardi – He had two goals tonight and now has three on the season. Certainly the brightest spot of all the late Lake Erie call ups, it is very clear that this kid has the skill to become a top 6 forward in the NHL.
TJ Galiardi – He had two goals tonight and now has three on the season. Certainly the brightest spot of all the late Lake Erie call ups, it is very clear that this kid has the skill to become a top 6 forward in the NHL.
Defensive Play – Sure, Budaj played well, and sure the Canucks missed the net and hit the post on a few golden chances, but the Avs team defensive play was very solid all night. Only gave up a garbage goal late in the 3rd when the score was 4-0.
The Win – I know there are a lot of Avs fans who won’t be happy about the win, who think we should “Tank it For Tavares” — I’m not one of these guys. As (out of work) head coach Herm Edwards said, “You play to win the game.” I do think the Avs management has been, shall we say, making it difficult to win by putting 4 AHL defensemen on the ice and asking them to win, but if they can pull it off, great. We’re going to get an excellent player who will have a really good chance to play right away and make an impact with out top five pick, and the Islanders are going to end up with Tavares. So we might as well win.
What Didn’t Impress Me
Refs – Two questionable goalie interference calls on the Avs; a blown call where they whistled the play dead while the puck was still lose (which was a post away from costing Willsie a goal) and a non call when Bieksa clearly boarded MacKenzie; it was not a good night for the men in stripes.
Refs – Two questionable goalie interference calls on the Avs; a blown call where they whistled the play dead while the puck was still lose (which was a post away from costing Willsie a goal) and a non call when Bieksa clearly boarded MacKenzie; it was not a good night for the men in stripes.
3 Stars (picked by TSN)
1. COL L 43 T.GALIARDI
2. COL G 31 P.BUDAJ
3. COL R 23 M.HEJDUK
Scratches:
Arnason
Clark (hand)
Foote (head)
Nycholat (head)
Salei (knee)
Smyth (hand)
Stastny (head)
Tjarnqvist (head)
Arnason
Clark (hand)
Foote (head)
Nycholat (head)
Salei (knee)
Smyth (hand)
Stastny (head)
Tjarnqvist (head)
Number Watch: Aaron MacKenzie (D) played his first NHL game. He wore #34.
Next Game: Tuesday at San Jose, 8:30PM
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