It's okay to cheer for the Avs.  Really, it is.  Just because you paid a chunk of money to sit in the wine and cheese seats away from the, ya know, real fans, doesn't mean that everyone around you can't cheer and have fun.  It's a hockey game.  When the team scores, even you snooty people have the right  duty to stand up, cheer, and fist pump with the rest of the crowd. Really, it's okay. It's a crime to whisper to your kids "use your inside voice" while sitting in a sold out Can.  It's a crime to stop your kids from cheering.  It is also a crime to mess with other fans who are there, who paid the same chunk of change, and are actually being fans with all the cheering and such. 

This post is brought to you by two ladies who did not belong in The Can last night.  These two ladies were so incensed that our row was cheering and having a good time, they tried to get us kicked out of the game.  One of said ladies had the gall to be wearing a sweatshirt that said proudly, "Busy Hockey Mom" on the back.  Stop.  Do not pass go.  Please turn in your hockey mom card now lest the hockey gods strike you down for treachery.

And to the rest of you lower bowl "fans", lighten up.  It does the soul good to scream and cheer and have a good time at a hockey game.

Instead of suffering through yet another radio broadcast of an Avalanche preseason game, I decided to pony up the cash and go to my first preseason game ever last night.  Really, listening on the radio does not give one much more than an iota of an idea about what's going on on the ice.  I wanted to see the kids, the vets, and the all around play of our up and coming 09-10 Avalanche team with my own eyes.  So, without further ado, I present the game recap with the most positive spin I can.

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Alright Avs fans.  It's about 45 minutes to game time and there is no thread yet on the front page.  So in event one doesn't get posted by game time, here's one.  If one does post in time, no worries.  If needed, we could use this as an overflow thread as needed.  Or delete this.  Whatever.

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And we have a mission:  Find a nickname for Americanario.  What does "Americanario" mean anyway? After a great first period which continued the Avalanche goal scoring streak, the second and third period were a bust.  Lackluster play, bad turnovers, and great Nashville defense prevailed.  The puppy dogs and sunshine are over for now.  Especially if Raycroft starts in net tomorrow night.

We need a true iron fisted coach and training staff to kick the fire back into this team.  Granato continued with his excuses about the team not playing a full 60 minutes.  When will he realize de-nial is not a river on some other continent than the one we live on?

*Sigh*

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So, it is happy hockey day or something.  Avs have a pretty convincing win against a Mild team that looked sluggish from the start.

So, since it's happy hockey day, and MHH did not really participate, I'll go for it.  I love hockey because I'm an angry person.  Hockey allows me the ability to shout, throw my fists, and cheer loudly in idiot's ears in  an appropriate setting.  82 games per year allow me to be aggressive and happy all at the same time without hurting any one.  Oh, and Peter Forsberg.  There is nothing better than watching Forsberg hit, score, and demolish the Wings.

Being an Avs fan and as such, focused on the Western Conference and its players, I didn't know who Darcy Tucker was.  When Tucker was picked up off waivers during the offseason, information came forth that the Avs had their eye on him for a while and this was the opportunity to aquire him.  I have also heard he was a fan favorite in Toronto for his ability to play with heart.  However, after 10+ games, I and other Avs fans are, well, unimpressed with his play.  I have yet to see him show grit, heart, or anything resembling hockey sense.  I realize the season is young but at this point Tucker is beginning to rival Arnason for scapegoat and as I understand it, he is still being paid like 4 million per year between the two teams.  What gives?  Your collective insight would be much appreciated.

Ok, kids.  It's alomost time for game two of the preseason.  I hate the Stars and thanks to last season, I have even more reason to hate them.  Those lazy (or tired) mo-fos failed to knock the Wings out of the playoffs and basically handed them the Cup.  Bastards. 

Anyway, as we all know, the Avs are a bit grittier this season.  In fact, one could say they are as gritty as the Stars.  Tonight should be a good game and here's why:

None of the guys listed played last night.  Note the McCodys, Ledin, Salei, and Jones.   I bet they all play tonight.  Add Lappy and Tucker and it's on, mo-fos. Chippy.  I hope soeone smashes Avery's face in if he is playing.  I wish it was the regular season already.

Moving on.

This 1510 AM station, well, sucks.  The later in the day it is, the worse the signal gets and I am pretty close to Littleton where the station is located.  That being said, the quality of the puck talk has been vastly improved thanks to Justin Goldman of The Hockey Guild and company.  I mean, they actually talk intelligent hockey without all the bobble-headed, stuffy-old-fart, blather.

I'll probably have to switch to the Stars feed in a few as the whinning of the signal is starting to give me a headache.

Last night's pregame show was pondering whether this year is the passing of the torch from Sakic to Stastny.  STFU.  The season hasn't even started and suddenly Joe is a lock to retire at the end of the season.

Scott Parker punched a bull in the head.  The Sheriff is a beast.  Just sayin'.

So, come and chat for the game if you want.  Or don't.  Whatever. 

I'll just keep doing my homework.

I attended rookie camp this morning, missing the first half hour of the scrimmage because I slept in.  However, I'll provide my small insight on what I saw.  You can read the scrimmage recap at the Avs Official Site and as always, check out Jori's site for much better information than I will provide here. 

First, I must preface with the fact that I was really only focused on three players; Hensick, Jones, and Delmas.  Hensick was on team grey with Jones and don't be fooled by the final score.  Team grey spent most of the scrimmage in team black's zone dominating play and getting pucks to the net.  So, Trevor Cann was not particularly busy.  Both Keserich and Delmas looked solid in net.  I was particularly impressed with Delmas' athleticism and quick movements. He always seemed to get his skate back to the post to cut off the rebound.  It was interesting, however, that on the last penalty shot, team grey was shouting "go five hole!" to the shooter.  

In my opinion, Hensick looked slow and tired.  Mind you, these boys were out on 3-5 minute shifts, but Hensick was not skating near as fast as Jones most of the time.  Jones and Hensick definitely have chemistry playing together, with Jones being the better of the two. Jones was all over the ice, shooting pucks on net, and creating plays.  There were a couple of plays, however, where Jones showed he still needs to work on his game.  On one play, Jones brought the puck deep in the zone but instead of shooting, looked to pass the puck. None of his teammates were open and the play was broken up. Additionally, Jones is still shooting the puck at the directly at the goalie's chest  more often than not which is something we saw a lot last season.  Still, Jones was the best player on the ice in my eyes.  

I would be remiss if I didn't mention Rob Drummond's goal. There was a skirmish close to team grey's blue line.  Next thing you know, Drummond is up ice with the rest of the players trailing him like a pack of wolves.  Using his speed, Drummond flew into team black's zone and puck the puck home top shelf.  It was awesome and the crowd went wild (well as wild as 30 people or so can get).  

I will be attending the big-boy camp next weekend and I hope to video tape it for the out of town folks who cannot attend.     

Edit: I forgot to mention both Cody Burki and Jack Combs were injured during the scrimmage taking pucks to the legs/stomach (just guessing. I didn't see exactly where the pucks hit).  Both came back on the ice  to finish the game  but  Burki was skating  very tentatively.  Combs almost got in a fight after taking a facewash  from some player who slammed him into the glass after returning to the ice.  I guess we will see if the two players are effected in the coming days.

Ok, I've said it many a times this offseason, but this truly has to be the biggest load of crap I have read -  about Cap'n Joe all season.

The idea of Sakic wanting attention as much as Avery for gawd sake?  Only playing for money?  Man, this guy is way off... and it must be a very boring offseason to have to dish on Roy to boot.  Bash away, Avs fans...

Gossip   While Mats Sundin and Joe Sakic have kept half the civilized hockey world holding its breath over their play-or-not-to-play decision, we’ll unequivocally assert that each will return to the NHL for 2008-09. The reason is as obvious as a $6 million contract. Who’s kidding whom? These guys love the moolah – and attention – as much as Sean Avery and Alley Oop Ovechkin.   If either of them packs it in, it’ll be the upset of the half-century; roughly equivalent to the shrinking of Patrick Roy’s ego. …

The biggest idiot, douchebag, scum-sucking MoFo's career in the NHL may finally be over.  What took so long?  Any team who is stupid enough to pick him up as a free agent will officially hit my list of hated teams.  Feel free to post more creative and demeaning names than I could come up with.

TSN reports:

The Anaheim Ducks are parting ways with Todd Bertuzzi, as the club has placed the veteran winger on waivers with the intention to buy out the remaining season of his contract with the organization.                                        

This year's Stanley Cup finals should be absolutely exciting since the Avalanche are front runners to win the Cup.  

Wait.  Oh yeah, I remember.  The Avs were demolished by the hated Wings in the second round.  I'm still bitter.  Oh well.  Better luck next year.  Moving on...

Maggie the Monkey picked the Penguins to win the series.  Since a monkey is the prognosticator of all prognosticators, it doesn't matter what the other talking heads say.  The last time Pittsburgh and Detroit  met was October 7, 2006 and the Wings won that game 2-0.  One game, nearly two years ago, does not create a basis of comparison  for  these teams.  Their respective 2008 playoff records provide a couple of clues about the teams, though.  Detroit had a rough ride in the first round against the scrappy Nashville Predators and Hasek laying an egg.  The Pens swept the series in the first round.  Colorado was swept in the second round by the Wings (that was very painful to write) while the Pens knocked out the NY Rangers in five.  The Pens also prevailed in 5 to wrap up the Eastern Conference finals while the Wings  went six in  the west.  The Wings playoff record tells me they  are  more beatable  than the Pens.   The  Hinny and Chelios are out and Gary Roberts is pissed at being benched for game one.

ESPN's cites the number 5 reason to watch the Finals is "The opportunity to relive the joy of rooting against a seemingly indestructible foe dressed in red".   The article also cites 44 other lame reasons to watch the SCF but what do you expect?  It's ESPN. They do point out one truth, though.  The fate of the world is in Sid the Kid's hands.  It's time to take down the Evil Empire because who wants to live in a world where the Wings win the Cup?  Not this Avalanche fan, that's for sure.

On the cephalopod issue, Puck Daddy offers this quote from The Commish:

"Actually, there's a very good reason for it. We haven't fined or given a delay of game penalty for the throwing of the octopus because we understand and respect the tradition. Having said that, when you swing the octopus around - and I don't know the exact term for it -- but octopus 'gunk' gets on the ice and occasionally has gotten on the players -- the goaltenders -- as it goes by. Occasionally, when it freezes on the ice, it creates a potentially hazardous situation for the players. It's not about interfering with a tradition; it's about making sure nobody gets it in their eyes, like a goaltender nearby, or that nobody blows out a knee getting caught on some frozen gunk."  

He also states, "Somehow, blowing out a knee on octopus goo has escaped us on injury reports for the last 17 years."

I hate the Wings and I think this is a disgusting act but I do not support hating hockey tradition, no matter what team the tradition comes from.  Get a *&^^ing clue, Mr.  Your the headmaster of the great game.

Game 1 starts at 6:00 MDT on Versus.

Game 1 Notes:

                                    FAIL

The score should have been 5-0 but thanks to another "reputation" call on Holmstrom waiving off the first Detroit goal, the score was 4-0.  Ouch.

Marty Turco has shaken his Red and Winged demons.  Today, in game 5, Turco not only won his first game ever at Joe Louis Arena, he posted an assist on the game winning goal.  

Mad props to Turco and the Stars for pulling this game off at the Joe and making the Dead Wings look old, tired, and confused.  You know who you are...

A very interesting article was posted at Kukla's Corner today.  The article talks about the NHL's intention to explore and possible expand the league to include teams in Western Europe.  I have personally taken the hop, skip, and jump across the pond and the jet lag is killer.  Unless the NHL intends to resurrect the Concord, something tells me this is a bad idea.  Imagine the team flying to Germany for a game and vice versa. Never mind home ice advantage.  I would call that jet lag advantage.  Read more here.  

News from the Colorado Avalanche Official Website:

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has signed forward T.J. Galiardi to an entry-level contract.

Galiardi, one of Colorado’s three second-round picks in the 2007 Entry Draft, spent this past season with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League.  The 19-year old (he turned 20 on April 22) finished second among WHL rookies in scoring with 70 points (18g/52a) in 72 games.  Galiardi led Calgary in assists and finished fourth on the team in points.  He was +31 on the season.

The Calgary native went on to lead the WHL in playoff scoring with 24 points (5g/19a) in 16 postseason games for the Hitmen.

Read more Galiardi

Well, folks, it's game 2 of the hated Stars versus the more hated Red Wings.  It should be of some consolation to Avalanche fans that in game 1, Dallas looked no better against Detroit than the Avs did. The Avalanche posted a 0-8-0 record against Detroit this season with much thanks to Q and his failure to start Budaj in net in games 3 and 4.  However, Stars goaltender Marty Turco boasts an abysmal record of 2-10-5 against the Wings in regular season games.  His NHL record playing the Joe is 0-7-2.  That's right.  Turco has never won a single game at Joe Louis Arena is his NHL career.  

If your an Avalanche fan like me, once the Avs are eliminated, you watch the remaining rounds to see the team you hate get beaten down and taken out.  Unfortunately, the Stars look hardly prepared to give Detroit the beating this Avalanche fan is hoping for.  

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