hockey
We talk pucks and objects of that kind. We yell, complain, and analyze in the language of hockey fandom. Gretzky can do no wrong.
Avalanche Game 7 Recap: Roadblock
For the third time in franchise history, and the second time since the move, the Colorado Avalanche are 6-0-0, a perfect point percentage. The winning streak continued with their win over the New York Islanders, and their next destination was Pittsburgh to face the Penguins. The Avalanche looked to match their best start in their overall franchise history, as the 1985-86 Quebec Nordiques started the season 7-0-0.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 6 Recap: Red Hot
The Colorado Avalanche's weird schedule continued with the beginning of a three-game East Coast swing that will end the month of October. First stop: Long Island. The Avs faced off against the New York Islanders, the very team that Devon Toews used to play for before the Avs acquired him following the unorthodox end of the 2019-2020 season. The Avs were coming off a big win against the Carolina Hurricanes, a game that saw a lot of goals. The Islanders haven't been known for offense, so it seemed like it would be a quiet-paced game.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 5 Recap: Goals, Goals, Goals
Every team has to face that one tough test at some point in the NHL season. For the Colorado Avalanche, that test came in the form of the Carolina Hurricanes. The biggest talk in this young season is that these two teams are the most favored to win the Stanley Cup this year. Basically, the court of public opinion is saying that this is a preview of this year's Stanley Cup Final. If this is what we will get in June, I say bring it on!
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 4 Recap: Home Sweet Home
After three straight home games to start the season, the Colorado Avalanche finally returned to their home ice at Ball Arena for this meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Avs have a strange schedule to open the season; started with three road games, then it's two home games, followed by three more home games. On the bright side, there has to be a home stand somewhere in this season.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 3 Recap: Payback
With two road wins under the team's belt, the Colorado Avalanche finished off their three-game road trip against a very familiar foe: the Seattle Kraken. As we recall, the Kraken's breakout sophomore season included a stunning playoff series victory over the then-defending champion Avs in seven games, and as soon as the schedule was released, every Avalanche fan (myself included) had this date circled on their calendars.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 2 Recap: Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
The Colorado Avalanche's season opener saw the team flex on offense. Five goals, two on the power play, a dominant win over the Los Angeles Kings. Next up was an outing against the San Jose Sharks, and as a longtime Avs fan, I do have memories of the classic Avalanche/Sharks battles. However, those were against the strong Sharks teams who made the playoffs almost every year. These, sadly, are not those Sharks. The Sharks have suffered since reaching the Western Conference Final in 2019, and it seems like their rebuilding period will never end. Nevertheless, they were prepared for their second game of the season, as were the Avs.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 1 Recap: The Road to Reclaim Begins
April 30, 2023. Since that very day, I've been waiting for this day, October 11, 2023. On the former date, that's when the Colorado Avalanche's attempt to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions came to a fast and abrupt end. I wasn't literally counting down the days, but I was looking forward to the following season, because Game 1 of 82 begins a mission to reclaim the throne.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Reviewing Opening Day of the 2023-24 NHL Season
It's back, baby! The 2023-24 NHL season has arrived, and it started with a huge bang. First off, some important dates. The annual Heritage Classic will take place on October 29, 2023 in Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium, home of the CFL's Edmonton Elks. The Edmonton Oilers will host the Calgary Flames on that evening. The annual Winter Classic will take place on New Year's Day 2024, and will feature the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Arena, the home of MLB's Seattle Mariners. Also, for the first time since 2016, two Stadium Series game will take place in the same season, with both of them emanating from MetLife Stadium. First off, the New Jersey Devils will face the Philadelphia Flyers on February 17, 2024, and on the following day, the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders will face each other. As announced many months ago, the 2024 NHL All-Star Game will take place in Toronto on February 3, 2024.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Cale Makar: The Real Elite 8
All Hail Cale! This is my 888th story on Vocal, and with three eights on my story total, I just had to make #888 a piece about a young player who can easily be the best defenseman in the NHL today: the next/true Great Eight, Cale Douglas Makar. Now, I'm an Avalanche fan, so of course, I'll say that Makar's the best dman in the league. But here's the thing. I say it on social media quite a bit. Some people know I'm an Avalanche fan, but despite this, I never get accused of playing favorites. That tells you that a vast majority of hockey fans know that Makar is the best blue-liner in the game right now.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
The Captivating Career of Patrice Bergeron
On July 25, 2023, just one day after celebrating his 38th birthday, Patrice Bergeron called it a career. This was not surprising news. When the Boston Bruins were shockingly defeated in Game Seven of the opening round against the upstart Florida Panthers, we saw Bergeron tearfully hugging longtime teammate Brad Marchand. It had been hinted for months before the playoffs started that this past season would be Bergeron's last. That moment with Marchand basically sealed it, as it was reminiscent of Aaron Rodgers and Randall Cobb's moment in the Green Bay Packers' 2022 season finale.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Found a Way: A Look at the 2021-22 Colorado Avalanche
There were three main reasons why I was looking forward to the 2021-22 season. One, the season was back to normal. I did enjoy the bubble playoffs from 2020, the Round Robin and Qualifying Rounds that were followed by four thrilling rounds played all in Canada. I also enjoyed the shortened 2020-21 season with localized divisions. But it was nice to see the first full season with the normal divisions since 2018-19. Two, it was a new day for NHL telecasts in the United States, as the greatest sport in the universe was returning to the ESPN networks for the first time since the 2003-04 season, and was also debuting on Turner Sports. Thirdly, and most importantly, it was because I had a good, strong feeling that it would be the Colorado Avalanche's year.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
The Hallowed Career of Jarome Iginla
Earlier this month, it was announced that Jarome Iginla would return to the team where he still serves as a household name: the Calgary Flames, but in a front office position, as the advisor to the general manager. I often beam when I hear the name Jarome Iginla, not just as a diehard hockey fan, but as a diehard Black hockey fan as well. The man affectionately known as "Iggy" set a huge bar overall for hockey, but for Black players and hockey fans, he would become the undisputed measuring stick.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
