Home Opener Sweet Home Opener

Home openers are always special; the first time that a team plays in front of their hometown crowd in the new season is always a huge deal. In the NHL, a team plays 41 games in front of their home crowd. For the Colorado Avalanche, this is our first. Following a big 4-1 win in Los Angeles, the Avs, for the 30th time, took the ice at home, and in this instance, it was against our neighbors to the west, the Utah Mammoth. Yes, Utah's team finally has a name.

When the Avalanche debuted in Denver after playing in Quebec as the Nordiques, our home was McNichols Arena. Our first game in Denver took place on October 6, 1995 against the Red Wings, who would become our instant rivals when the teams ran into each other in that season's Western Conference Final. After four seasons at McNichols, the Avs moved to our current home in 1999, which was then known as the Pepsi Center before the name was changed to Ball Arena beginning with the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. Regarding this home opener, it was extra special, because for the first time since the home opener of our Cup season, Our Captain was on the ice.

Scott Wedgewood was in net against Karel Vejmelka, and the period was quiet for the most part, until Ross Colton livened things up. A tic-tac-toe goal, Colton put it in from Jack Drury and Victor Olofsson, with Olofsson getting his first point in an Avs uniform. The period remained penalty free until Gabriel Landeskog committed an interference penalty late in the frame. Utah's PP spanned into the 2nd period, and it was killed off. Both teams pressed, especially Utah, but we would get our first PP when Brandon Tanev tripped Landeskog. PP was killed off, but then, Nate Schmidt decided to trip Our Captain. Oh boy. Another successful kill for Utah, who later received another power play. It took three seconds for Dylan Guenther to tie it up. Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz assisted. I am so used to those two being Coyotes.

Score was 1-1 after 40, Avs had a power play early in the third, it was successful, and guess who? Nathan MacKinnon, folks! #29 nets one for the first time this season, and it's a 2-1 lead. What followed was Utah continuing to press for a tie, especially late in the frame with the extra attacker. The Avs' empty net attempts were flat, but it didn't matter, as Wedgewood would not be denied.

The Colorado Avalanche won 2-1 over the Utah Mammoth, improving to 2-0 and four points on the season. This is a much, much better start than last season, and it's mainly because we are much more healthier than we were last year. Logan O'Connor and Mackenzie Blackwood are out, but those are our only injuries right now. This is our second straight game with a PPG, and we have yet to trail this season. I know it's only Game 2, but still. Also, MacKinnon with his first goal of the year already, he has three points to start the season. Three down, (at least) 97 to go. I will keep track of every point he gets this season, because it was absolute bullshit that he wasn't even a finalist for the Hart last year.

Next up, the Avs will remain at home on Saturday against the Dallas Stars. Oh man. I know Avs fans have been circling that date on our calendars. This will be the third game of our season, yet we're already getting a chance at payback against those damn Stars. One good thing: Peter DeBoer won't be there to bully the refs into kissing his ass.

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