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 58 Recap: The Renewal
I was 10 when the Quebec Nordiques moved to Denver and became the Colorado Avalanche, and it didn't take the team long to have a big time foe in the Western Conference: the Detroit Red Wings. It came to a head in that Western Conference Final in 1996, which saw the Avs actually win in six games over a Wings team that won 62 games (an NHL record until last season). From that point on, Avalanche/Red Wings became the top rivalry in the NHL in the final nine seasons before the lockout.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Ski Team Beats the Rain
On Wednesday January 24, the John Jay/North Salem/Somers Ski team took to the slopes at Thunder Ridge and the landscape wasn’t quite a winter wonderland. “It was definitely annoying because of how wet you could get,” said Emma Klares. “It soaks through your suit, which is really uncomfortable.” But stating a rainy day fact doesn’t mean the skier could think of a better way to spend the evening.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Unbalanced
Is There Still Some Hope for the Pittsburgh Penguins?
When the Pittsburgh Penguins lost Game Seven of their opening round series against the New York Rangers in 2022, I wrote in my recap that the ousting could mark the end of an era in the Steel City. The emphasis was on "could." I didn't say it would be. I didn't think it would be. I still don't, but when the following year happened, and the Penguins actually missed the playoffs, I was stunned. I mean, nothing lasts forever, but still, I didn't think that streak would end so soon. I thought they had about one more appearance left in them.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 57 Recap: Best in the West
After a disastrous road trip, the Colorado Avalanche returned home for the first time in the second half, and the end result was a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. For this home game, the opponent's just a bit tougher. It's only the Vancouver Canucks. They only have the NHL's best record. No big deal. You know, every time I watch the Avs and Nucks go at it, I always think back to the old days when these teams were division rivals; first in the old Pacific Division before being placed in the old Northwest Division. The teams have been in separate divisions since 2013, but the games are still quite good.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
On Senior Give Back Night, the Avalanche Sends a Message
Please see tip, subscribe and pledge options below On Friday January 26 the Avalanche Girls varsity hockey team faced Ridgefield at the Brewster Ice Arena, and good skating playing out once again, the growing popularity of the sport always makes the setting joyous. But the evening also came with a serious undertone.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 56 Recap: Home at Last
They say that you could never go home again. For the Colorado Avalanche, it sure seemed that way. The Avalanche started the second half with six straight road games, and it was a disaster. Six games in the Eastern Time Zone, a maximum 12 points up for grabs, yet the Avs left with only three. 1-4-1 on that road trip, which resulted in the Avs actually being in third place in the Central Division. Finally, the Avs returned to the confines of Ball Arena for the first time since the near end of January, and in this go-around, it's a Division Rivalry battle with the Arizona Coyotes.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 55 Recap: Can We Go Home Now?
And so it ends. The Colorado Avalanche's six-game road trip came to an end against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Ah, Amalie Arena. The very site where the Avs won the Stanley Cup in 2022. So many memories. The goals from MacKinnon and Lehkonen. Gabriel Landeskog lifting the Cup over his head, in what is his most recent act with the Avs. Absolutely epic.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 54 Recap: Dominant in DC
As John Wick would say, "I'm thinking we're back!" The Colorado Avalanche entered the fifth and penultimate game of this road trip on a bad skid. 0-3-1 in our last four games, and coming off a shutout loss in Sunrise, Florida. For this go-around, it's a trip to Our Nation's Capital to face off against the Washington Capitals, one of two teams who were on the receiving end of a Nathan MacKinnon four-goal performance this season.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 53 Recap: Enough is Enough
As the man who is about to main event WrestleMania 40 would say, "We have a lot to talk about." This...this isn't good. So the Colorado Avalanche entered this game having lost three straight, and while the OT loss to the New York Rangers wasn't too bad, the losses to the New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes were terrible. For the fourth game of this six game road swing, it's a trip to Sunrise to face the Florida Panthers. The last time we faced Florida, it was embarrassing. An 8-2 drubbing on our ice. The Avs needed to win out to salvage a winning road trip, and I figured that this would be the game where things get back on track.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 52 Recap: A Horror-Comedy of Errors
The road trip for the Colorado Avalanche continues, and it sees the team in Raleigh, North Carolina against the Carolina Hurricanes. This is the second and last meeting between the two former WHA transplants, as well as former rivals in the old Adams Division. As many hockey historians and fans recall, the Quebec Nordiques and the Hartford Whalers co-existed in the Adams Division for several years, but were hard luck until the teams relocated to Denver and Raleigh, respectively. Since then, the Avalanche won three Stanley Cups, while the Hurricanes finally won one of their own in 2006.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 51 Recap: Jersey Boys
The second half of the Colorado Avalanche's season started with a six-game Eastern road swing; holy moley! Game One of that road trip saw the Avs in Madison Square Garden, and it was an overtime loss to the New York Rangers. The team had to get right back to work on the following day, but the Avs didn't have to go too far, as this game was in New Jersey against the Devils. The first meeting was a wild one that saw a lot of chaos and penalties, but the Avalanche prevailed.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
The Monumental Career of Grant Fuhr
If you're familiar with my writing, then you know a lot of my career pieces on NHL players, both current and former. I've written quite a few stories, but I have yet to do one on a goaltender...until now. Two of my stories have centered on two very important and notable players in NHL history: Willie O'Ree and Jarome Iginla. As we all know, Willie O'Ree broke the NHL's color barrier, and set the stage and the bar for players such as Donald Brashear, P.K. Subban, Dustin Byfuglien, and Quinton Byfield, among others. The aforementioned Jarome Iginla raised that bar with his stellar numbers in his spectacular career, but there's another important name that needs to be mentioned: Grant Fuhr.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
