Avalanche open with a startling 3-1-1 record.
Photo by Rebecca Holt
For every team in the NHL, October represents a new beginning. This new beginning applies more to the Avalanche than any other team.
The Av’s approached this offseason with an “out with the old, and in with new mentality,” as they lost their All-time leading points man in Joe Sakic. The Av’s then traded away bruising forward Ryan Smyth. However, the Av’s made up for these losses by receiving two new outstanding defenseman in Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing both, coming from the Los Angeles Kings in the Smyth deal. Then, with the third overall selection in the NHL draft, the Avalanche selected Rookie phenom Matt Duchene.
But the prime move those in the back office seemed to have made was that of acquiring netminder Craig Anderson. So far, stopping 159 out of 170 shots the stingy goalkeeper arrives to bring back the respect of the formerly impenetrable Avalanche goal. Will he be the next Patrick Roy? Most certainly not, but he will help bring some wins to last season’s last place in the Western conference team. He has already begun his work by bringing back 2nd Star Honors after his second game where he stopped all 35 shots from the mediocre Vancouver Canucks squad.
Some adjustments made behind the bench include sending head coach Joel Quinneville off to Chicago, and welcoming Joe Sacco the former head coach for the Lake Erie Monsters, Colorado’s minor league affiliate. “The American Hockey League has proven to be a valuable training ground for NHL head coaches and we’re confident that Joe’s experience at that level will be vital to his success with our organization at the NHL level,” said newly appointed Avalanche General Manager Greg Sherman.
Finally, goodbyes are always hard, but giving our farewells to former Captain Joe Sakic was brutal, though we welcomed a new veteran to be our captain in former Avalanche Stanley Cup teammate, Adam Foote. Aside from Foote, the Avalanche have introduced a new mascot, Bernie the St. Bernard on October 3rd, and he adds to the young, successful team spirit.
How are they doing now? The Avalanche fell short to the Chicago Blackhawks in a shootout won by the always stellar, Andrew Ladd. Though the Avs did recently surprise last season’s Eastern Conference points leader, the Boston Bruins, 4-3. Rookie sensation Matt Duchene contributed an assist to the victory and so far has two assists for a total of two points. The Avalanche are surprising all of their critics, and I hope Vegas is going crazy over this one like they must be for other Colorado teams. Sacco was only too eager to hop on the surprisingly successful Colorado teams train, and let’s hope he can continue this throughout the whole season. If the Avs keep freezing their competition, we may see our first Stanley Cup since the 2000-2001 season, but until then let’s keep going Avs, after all Bernie the St. Bernard has your back now!
