Avalanche Come Up Big, Tackling the former powerhouse Detroit Red Wings.
Artwork by Rebecca Holt
They were two teams, two rivals, playing a game that was to set the tone for their future match-ups throughout the season. Though I can’t deny that doubts clouded my mind when the Avalanche entered the third and final period, down 2-0, the combined efforts of rookie up-and-coming sensation Matt Duchene, and Cody McLeod, tied the game up and forced it in to overtime. Well, if I know hockey, I know that entering into overtime is possibly one of the most dramatic spectacles in any sports arena: a very hopped up version of a very physical Broadway musical on ice. And on this night, the Avalanche danced better with Marek Svatos and Milan Hejduk combining shootout goals to take the 4-3 win over Detroit in overtime.
Despite the explosive finish, the play of the game for…well, myself, was Matt Duchene’s first ever NHL goal; basically consisting of some scuffles along the boards, Duchene breaking free and just effortlessly flicking the puck in a beautiful wrist-shot fashion. Detroit’s goaltender, Chris Osgood, did not stand a chance. Touche Matt, you are living up to the hype after all. Not to mention the ever surprising Craig Anderson finishing with a .903 save percentage with 28 out of 31 stops.
Running out of fuel should not pose a problem to the Avalanche this season like it does many other teams. The Avs, posting the league’s fourth-youngest team, with two eighteen-year old starters, mixed in with other youngsters (21, 23, and 24 year olds) who have only begun to get their feet wet in the NHL. The team’s perfect recipe of veterans and rookies should keep them hot and ready throughout most of the season. Hoisting their second best start since the 2000-2001 Stanley Cup Avalanche (6-0-2), we are all hoping and breathing for a repeat here in Colorado this year. So stay strong Avs, we are all pulling for you.
Though the ice has been smooth thus far, there are bound to be some bumps arriving in the future. Injuries are omnipresent in the bang-up sport that hockey is. And with match-ups coming up versus the Wild, a rematch with the Wings, Oilers, Flames, and the explosive Sharks we should face some challenges. Though if the Avalanche keep on rollin’ the way they have been, it won’t be long before not even one team stands in their way and they have only to hoist the cup high. As we head into the storm only one thing is certain; Bernie’s boys are here to stay, and if they keep putting them together, soon all of Colorado will be pulling for them. Rocktober’s over, it’s Avalanche Season now boys.
