| 16 March 2009
The Colorado Avalanche walked into the hornets nest that is Vancouver and came way with a 4-2 loss. The Canucks had won 8 straight games at home and had all the confidence in the world and the Avs had just played an overtime game in Edmonton the night before. The Avs had another slow start, but unlike Minnesota or Edmonton, Vancouver really made them pay for it. Vancouver scored 3 times in the first - twice on the power play and once shorthanded and took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission. The Avs clawed their way back into the game with a Smyth PPG in the second and a Tucker goal on very lucky bounce early in the 3rd. After a Hedrick Sedin penalty, Colorado had all the momentum and that led to golden chances from Stastny, Liles and “Zero Goals” Hannan, but all of them found a way to stay out of net. Vancouver was able to calm the game down by the 10 min mark and got a late PPG to seal the game. Highlights. What impressed me:
2nd and 3rd period play: The Avs didn’t give up after a horrific first period. They were the slightly better team the last two periods.
Darcy Tucker: Has been his most effective all season playing on a line with Guite and Lappy. Scored a goal and had a few other chances in the game. Just wish he would hit the net a little more.
What didn’t impress me:
Avs Special Teams: On paper, the Avs gave up 2 PP goals, but the one Vancouver even strength goal came just seconds after their PP expired. Oh, and the Avs also gave up shorthanded goal. Oh, and the Avs had a couple of PPs in the 3rd period with the score 3-2, but failed to tie the game.
The Group That Gave Up the SH Goal: That would be Liles, Wolski, Hejduk, Stastny and Smyth. As if giving up a breakway on a PP wasn’t bad enough, the group was simply lazy and gave up a very disheartening goal after they seemly dodged a bullet after Burrows hit the post on the initial breakaway chance.
Nucks Fans: Chanting “Ray-croft”. Would have been perfect after the Pyatt goal, but they didn't start until late in the 2nd. Hey, you guys were only about a period late.
3 Stars
1. VAN L 14 A.BURROWS
2. COL L 94 R.SMYTH
3. VAN L 9 T.PYATT
Scratches
Foote (head)
McCormick (suspension)
Arnason
Notes: Tjarnqvist left the game in the 2nd period after being hit in the face with a puck. He did not return. If he can’t go Tuesday, it will be interesting to see who gets called up from Lake Erie.
Next Game: Tuesday in Minnesota, 6PM
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