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.
The History of the Patrick Division
As I learned about the National Hockey League's classic divisions, I couldn't help but be fascinated by the Patrick Division. One reason is that while the divisions originally had little to nothing to do with geography, the Patrick Division consistently had East Coast franchises, with the exception of one season of the division's existence. The division was named after Lester Patrick, the longtime player and coach for the New York Rangers, who was also credited for a number of innovations that remain in the current NHL today: the blue line, the penalty shot, and tracking assists, among other things.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 41 Recap: The Halfway Point
Seems like yesterday that this season started, yet here it is, Game #41 of the Colorado Avalanche's 2023-24 season. Game #40 did not go well for the Avs, as it saww the Florida Panthers thrash the Avs and put up eight goals on the team. For this game, the Avs were facing the Boston Bruins, a team who the Avs have a very good history with for the last quarter-century.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
John Jay Loses Four Goal Lead in 7-5 Defeat to Horace Greeley
On December 15 at the Brewster Ice Arena, it looked like a Friday night party when John Jay treated their fans to a 5-1 second period lead. But being fashionable late actually proved the difference for the other guests on the invite list.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 40 Recap: Ay Caramba!
OK, so...that happened. So the Colorado Avalanche were coming off a pair of amazing overtime comeback wins to start the New Year, and this game was the start of a three-game homestand. Our opponents were the Florida Panthers, the first meeting of the season between the 2022 Stanley Cup Champions, and the 2023 Eastern Conference Champions. The game started before the football games started, and it was supposed to be part of an epic day.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 37 Recap: Ending 2023 in Style
2023 was quite the year for the Colorado Avalanche. When the calendar year began, the Avalanche were the reigning, defending, undisputed Stanley Cup Champions. It was a calendar year that saw Nathan MacKinnon pick up his very first 100-point season. It was a calendar year that saw Mikko Rantanen finish a 50+ goal season, and also rack up 100 points. Now, unfortunately, it was a year that saw the Avalanche's attempt at a repeat come to an abrupt end. But it would also be a year that the Avalanche would begin the process of dusting ourselves off, and try, try again.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
John Jay Gets in the Win Column with 12-3 Victory over Fox Lane
After losing their first two games, John Jay fell behind Fox Lane 1-0 on Tuesday December 5 and then went down two men on the power play. But the way the game begins doesn’t necessarily signify how it will end, according to Coach John McKeon. “It’s all about staying composed, getting your feet wet and getting adjusted to the game speed,” the first year coach said, and his sentiment definitely proved true.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 36 Recap: Bouncing Back
The Avalanche were coming off quite an embarrassing overtime loss; leading 4-0 but giving up five straight against the Arizona Coyotes. Ironically, the one point that Colorado received was enough for the good guys to take the Central Division lead, but still, this was a terrible loss. In addition, after being road warriors to start the season and winning those games outside of Ball Arena, the Avs were on a six-game road losing streak, with three of the losses coming in extra time.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 35 Recap: It Was 4-0
Well...at least we're back in first place. Yay? The NHL returned from their three-day holiday break with 14 games, and the Colorado Avalanche were no exception. The Avs were coming off a big 4-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes on December 23, and in this go-around, the Avs faced the Yotes again, this time in the desert. Mikko Rantanen was my Avs Twitter Psychic pick in the game, and for only the third time this season, I was correct. It was a power play goal late in the first, and it was Rantanen from Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. The Avs led 1-0 after 20 minutes, and for MacKinnon, his points streak reached 19 games.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
The Airing of Grievances: NHL Edition
The day is here; a Festivus for the rest of us! Hardcore Seinfeld fans remember this very well. One of the episodes from the show's ninth and final season, "The Strike," revealed that Frank Costanza (played ever so brilliantly by the late, great Jerry Stiller) created Festivus as a response to the commercialism of the actual holidays. The holiday is celebrated on December 23, and instead of a tree, a pole is put up, as Frank finds tinsel distracting.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 33 Recap: The Nathan MacKinnon Show
I repeat: Put Nathan MacKinnon's name on the Hart Trophy already! Following the team's loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Colorado Avalanche returned home for the holidays (well, close to it) for the first meeting against the Ottawa Senators. A little bit about the Sens; it's been hell for them at this point, and they just hired a new coach---well, sort of. Jacques Martin, who coach the Sens from 1996-2004, and coached them to the Eastern Conference Final in 2003, returned to the helm, with Sens legend Daniel Alfredsson as the assistant.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 32 Recap: Shenanigans
The Central Division race has been crazy in the last week or so. The top three in the division has changed a lot, and after the win over the San Jose Sharks, the Colorado Avalanche took the division's top spot and held it...for 24 hours. The Dallas Stars surpassed Colorado when they defeated the Seattle Kraken, leaving the Avs to try to get back on top once again. The Avs went on the road for Game #32; the Windy City, to be exact. It's always interesting when the Avs and the Chicago Blackhawks get together, and this season is no different, mainly because of Connor Bedard. The first meeting was the Avs' home opener, and it was a shutout win for Colorado.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 31 Recap: No Bigger Boat Needed
Entering the second leg of a back-to-back, the Colorado Avalanche found themselves in third place in the Central Division. It was a three way tie in points with the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars; both of whom had a game in hand over Colorado. Game 30 was a disaster, but Game 31 was a welcome opportunity to return to the top of the Central. The Avs faced off against the San Jose Sharks, the second of three meetings this season. The first meeting was Colorado's second game of the season, a 2-1 win via shootout. However, a lot has happened in the last two months. This is a different Sharks team. While they're still not in a good position, they are playing with a lot of "give a damn" and it's led them to nine wins in the 20 games they've played since their horrendous 0-10-1 start.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
