Avalanche at Phoenix - Feb 22

After losing the first three games against Phoenix this year, the Avalanche were able to avoid a series sweep by beating the Coyotes 3-2 in a shootout in the desert, getting an important 2 points after a tough shootout loss two nights ago against Anaheim.

It only took a little over 14 minutes for Paul Stastny to make his presence felt in his return to the ice, tying the game on a great individual effort in the first period. The goal came just four minutes after Phoenix grabbed the lead with a 5 on 3 power play goal. The goal was a great example of what this team has been lacking lately as he was able to make something out of nothing on a 1 on 2 getting a good shot on net and following up to bury his rebound. The Avs were able to build on the improved play they showed in Anaheim Wednesday night and played a solid road game.

The Avalanche had a goal disallowed 3 minutes into the 2^nd period after Ian Laperriere made a great play from the seat of his pants and slid a backhander into the empty net. Unfortunately for the Avs, the net was empty because Lappy was basically sitting on Tellqvist. The Avs were able to take a 2-1 lead for real 9:09 into the 2^nd period when Marek Svatos blasted a onetimer from the left circle over the shoulder of Tellqvist, who started in place of Ilya Bryzgalov who was out with the flu. It was Svatos’ 26^th of the year and 3^rd on the PP. The Avs continued to play well through the rest of the 2^nd limiting the chances for the Coyotes. The third period was a little different. As usual, the Avs were content sitting on that one goal lead, and thanks in large part to some great saves by Jose Theodore, were able to do so for the first 19:57 of the 3^rd period. Phoenix pulled Tellqvist with just over a minute remaining in the game and scored with just 2.8 seconds remaining when a Derek Morris shot deflected off the stick of Paul Stastny and behind Theodore to tie the game. And just like that, the Avs gave up another point late.

The Coyotes got the first chances of overtime, but the Avs had more, but were unable to capitalize and we were off to a shootout. Which went as follows:

Subaru Shootout

Svatos – deke to the backhand, sprawling pad save by Tellqvist

Mueller – quick shot, pad save by Theo

Smyth – backhand, save

Vrbata – deke to backhand, save

Hensick – glove save

Doan – had him beat, lost the puck

Stastny – backhand, pad save

Hanzal - forehand, pad save

Hejduk – quick shot, blocker save

Reinprecht – backhand, post

Arnason – forehand GOAL stick side

Perrault – deke, forehand GOAL

Jones – shot shoulder save

Ballard – deke, pad save

Liles – shot five hole, GOAL

York – shot stick side, GOAL

Laperriere – shot, post

Kapanen – blocker save

Brunette – shot, arm save

Jovanovski – shot, glove save

Guite – backhand, missed net

Carcillo – deke, pad save

McLeod – shot, stick side GOAL

Yandle – shot, missed net

The thing I couldn’t get is why guys like Lappy and Jones, even McLeod took a chance and Kyle Cumiskey didn’t. It worked, but I’m still questioning that.

Overall, the Avs showed good effort throughout the game, but I really wish they wouldn’t be content with just sitting on the one goal lead. They turn their own end into a shooting gallery and Theodore by far was the reason the Avs got a point in this game. The Yote’s tying goal came as a result of the Avs failure to clear the puck when they had a chance to, something that has consistently plagued this team.

Colorado did manage to score a power play goal, but there is still a lot of work to be done on that front. In the end, the Avs got two desperately needed points, and that’s all that really matters.

Notes and Observations

Wojtek Wolski and Jaroslav Hlinka were healthy scratches in this game. Jeff Finger is out day-to-day with a hand injury. Also on the note of personnel, the Avs were pretty consistent with the lines tonight, something Quinneville hasn’t done a whole lot of this season. Joe Sakic is practicing with the team and is expected back at some time on this road trip. Kyle Cumiskey continues to impress me with the dimension he adds to this team. There are times he gets himself trapped too low in the offensive zone, but he has the speed to get back to his position. He is able to move the puck up, carry it in deep, and create opportunities and draw penalties with his shiftiness. The Avs improve to 4-3 in the shootout this season, and are now 2 points out of the 8^th spot in the West. The Avs are off to Edmonton where they will play 3 games in 4 nights against the Canadian teams of the Northwest. T-minus 3 ½ days until the trade deadline.