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Thoughts From A Rare Avalanche Loss |
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I had an interesting thought as I watched the final second tick down on the Colorado Avalanche's 2-1 loss to the lowly Arizona Coyotes of ASU.
Arizona won the game not because they outplayed or out-skilled the 'Avs but because they suffocated them with size and muscle. Colorado had very little time or space to make their magic happen.
You might think I'm crazy especially since the 'Avs put up 43 shots on goal. And just like in the playoffs, timely and efficient goaltending can be the difference. Karel Vejmelka stopped 42 shots and was just good enough to hold the 'Avs offense in check.
This is the exact formula adopted, successfully I might add, by many teams in the playoffs.
The regular season is for run-and-gun fun with 8-5 and 10-7 video game scores. NHL playoff hockey has and always will be a tight-checking spaceless event full of 2-1 and 3-2 muck fests.
So what exactly were my thoughts?
Can the 'Avs actually win 16 games against teams playing suffocating big boy hockey?
Of course, they can - duh. Colorado is 12-1-4 in one-goal games this season (another staple of playoff hockey), this was their first regulation one-goal loss. They will be fine, but it does make you wonder.
Arizona is the worst team in the league but they've found a way to be successful against this team. They used their size, sticks, and aggressive back/forecheck to outmaneuver the 'Avs.
Could this be a moment to look back upon if this team falters against in the playoffs?
Perhaps. I know it's something that I will watch closely. I honestly don't even know if the 'Yotes were doing it on purpose. What I do know is there was no space for Colorado anywhere on the ice and if it what frustrating for me to watch from home it had to be frustrating for the guys on the ice.
And kudos to Vejmelka. The dude was solid as a rock. A real difference-maker.
Thanks for reading,
Steve
Colorado Avalanche Blogger • 
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