Gospel of Hockey

Oilers v. Ducks - 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

2010-04-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

O faithful Oilogosphere, the playoffs have been torn away from us for a time (at least in the present, we always have video), but I want you to know that this isn't generally because of a lack of effort from those wearing the jersey.

Oilers v. Kings - Esther 2:5-7

2010-04-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

The Oilers, the chosen one of God, were the laughing-stock of the league. And it happened after the great sin of 2007, Oiler fans were carried off into exile from which they haven't yet returned.

Avalanche v. Senators - Scoring Chances #41

2010-04-10T07:53:00.000-07:00

COL	1	16:32		8	10	25	26	41	52	4	10	18	24	33	71	5v5
COL	1	16:17		8	10	22	25	26	41	4	10	18	24	33	71	5v5
COL	1	16:10		8	22	25	26	27	41	4	9	12	24	25	33	5v5
OTT	1	11:29	Goal	10	23	37	39	41	52	4	24	26	27	33	43	5v5
OTT	1	10:35		5	8	25	26	41	44	26	27	33	39	43	45	5v5
COL	1	10:19		16	22	27	37	41	59	22	33	39	41	45	73	5v5
OTT	1	9:57		16	22	27	37	41	59	22	33	39	41	45	73	5v5
COL	1	7:13		8	10	25	26	41	52	9	12	14	17	25	33	5v5
COL	1	4:36		5	8	25	26	41	44	4	9	12	24	25	33	5v5
COL	1	4:34	Goal	8	22	25	26	27	41	4	9	12	24	25	33	5v5
COL	1	1:08		22	27	37	41	45	55	10	18	33	39	45	71	5v5
COL	1	1:07	Goal	22	26	27	41	45	55	10	18	33	39	45	71	5v5
OTT	2	18:50		5	9	10	23	39	41	9	12	14	17	27	33	5v5
COL	2	18:42	Goal	5	9	10	23	39	41	9	12	25	33	39	45	5v5
COL	2	16:11		5	9	23	39	41	44	12	14	17	25	26	33	5v5
COL	2	15:54		5	9	23	39	41	44	12	14	17	25	26	33	5v5
OTT	2	14:18		9	22	27	40	41	45	14	17	22	33	41	73	5v5
COL	2	12:01		8	10	23	26	41	52	4	10	18	24	33	71	5v5
COL	2	11:52		8	10	25	26	41	52	4	10	18	24	33	71	5v5
OTT	2	11:43		8	10	25	26	41	52	4	10	18	24	33	71	5v5
OTT	2	11:05		8	10	25	26	41	52	22	33	39	41	45	73	5v5
OTT	2	9:34		27	40	41	45	52	55	4	12	24	26	27	33	5v5
COL	2	0:46		9	10	23	39	41	52	9	14	17	25	33	43	5v5
OTT	2	0:02		8	10	25	26	41	52	4	9	24	25	33	43	5v5
COL	3	18:31		9	10	23	39	41	52	9	14	17	25	33	43	5v5
OTT	3	16:36		8	10	25	26	41	52	12	14	17	26	27	33	5v5
COL	3	15:35	Goal	5	16	37	41	44	59	22	33	39	41	45	73	5v5
OTT	3	14:59		22	27	37	39	41		12	17	26	27	33	41	4v5
OTT	3	14:38		5	23	26	41	44		12	17	26	27	33	41	4v5
OTT	3	12:23	Goal	9	10	23	41	52	55	22	24	33	39	71	73	5v5
COL	3	10:23		8	23	25	26	27	41	4	18	22	24	33		5v4
COL	3	7:41		8	22	25	26	27	41	4	22	24	33	41	71	5v5
OTT	3	5:52	Goal	9	10	23	39	41	52	14	17	26	27	33	43	5v5
OTT	3	4:39		8	22	25	26	27	41	9	12	14	17	33	71	5v5
COL	3	1:53		5	9	16	41	44	45	4	22	25	33	45	73	5v5
OTT	3	1:24		5	9	16	27	41	45	4	17	22	26	27	73	5v5
OTT	3	0:37		22	23	26	39	41	52	9	12	14	27	41	45	5v5

#	Player	EV			PP			SH
5	B. CLARK	16:24	6	3	0:26	0	0	0:43	0	1
8	W. WOLSKI	16:25	9	6	1:34	1	0	0:00	0	0
9	M. DUCHENE	16:19	6	5	0:26	0	0	0:00	0	0
10	K. CUMISKEY	20:34	8	8	0:03	0	0	0:00	0	0
16	D. TUCKER	12:21	3	2	0:26	0	0	0:00	0	0
22	S. HANNAN	21:14	7	4	0:05	0	0	1:17	0	1
23	M. HEJDUK	15:19	6	5	1:39	1	0	0:43	0	1
25	C. STEWART	16:38	8	6	1:34	1	0	0:00	0	0
26	P. STASTNY	18:37	10	7	1:39	1	0	0:43	0	1
27	K. QUINCEY	21:36	6	5	2:02	1	0	1:17	0	1
37	R. O'REILLY	15:47	3	2	0:05	0	0	1:17	0	1
39	T. GALIARDI	15:51	5	4	0:00	0	0	1:17	0	1
40	M. SVATOS	7:35	0	2	0:26	0	0	0:00	0	0
41	C. ANDERSON	55:53	19	15	2:05	1	0	2:00	0	2
44	R. WILSON	13:29	5	1	0:00	0	0	0:43	0	1
45	C. DURNO	10:57	3	3	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0
52	A. FOOTE	18:52	6	9	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0
55	C. MCLEOD	10:07	2	2	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0
59	B. YIP	11:32	2	1	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0

Period	Totals		EV		PP		5v3 PP		SH		5v3 SH
1	9	3	9	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	6	6	6	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	5	8	4	6	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	20	17	19	15	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	0

An odd thing about this game was the lack of play on special teams. The first penalty wasn't even called until about a quarter of the way through the third period. Obviously this means that the majority of the contest was played at EV. Now, against a lot of teams this would be a disadvantage for the Avalanche but they got off to a great start in this one and outplayed the Senators overall throughout the game. With six minutes to go in the third period the Avalanche had outchanced the Senators 19-10 at EV, one their more dominating performances this season. All in all, a very well-deserved win.

One thing I found very interesting in this one was Kyle Cumiskey returning from injury and J-M Liles taking his place in the press-box as a healthy scratch. The numbers don't paint a pretty picture for Liles and it looks like the coach has soured on him as a player. They're probably going to try to move him over the summer. As for Cumiskey, he's just a treat to watch. A lot of guys get labeled "one of the fastest skaters in the league" but when it's said about Cumiskey I believe it. I, for one, am very glad to see him back.

It was good to see Ryan O'Reilly finally get his fifth goal of the season. He hadn't scored for twenty-four games, so I'm sure it felt good. He's been doing a pretty good job on the scoring chances this year but offensively had hit a bit of a wall so it was good to see him break through. Another Avs rookie, T.J. Galiardi, almost killed himself trying to negate an icing call. He succeeded (hooray!) and was promptly pushed down so that he could fly torso first into the boards. Dangerous, dangerous play. The NHL should really go to the international rule on icing (no-touch icing + incomplete passes count as icing). It would make the game both better and safer.

By far the funniest play involved Jarkko Ruutu of the Senators. The Avs had given the puck away just in front of their own blue-line which had led to a clear 2-on-1 against. Ruutu responded by taking a slapshot from five or ten feet inside the blue-line. He missed the net. What a maroon! (and not the Montreal version)

Avalanche v. Stars - Scoring Chances #40

2010-04-09T13:17:00.000-07:00

Tm	P	Time	Note	COL						Opponent
DAL	1	15:54		4	8	25	26	31	52	2	3	18	21	31	91	5v5
COL	1	15:36		5	8	9	25	31	44	2	3	14	26	31	91	5v5
COL	1	13:57	Goal	4	15	31	45	52	55	18	21	31	38	44	91	5v5
DAL	1	12:50		4	8	25	26	31	44	5	18	21	31	37	91	5v5
COL	1	10:02		5	8	25	26	31	44	9	29	31	38	44	63	5v5
COL	1	9:45		5	8	25	26	31	44	2	3	18	21	31	91	5v5
COL	1	6:27		4	8	25	26	31	52	2	3	18	21	31	91	5v5
DAL	1	2:58		16	22	31	37	52	59	5	9	14	23	31	37	5v5
DAL	1	1:21		5	8	25	26	27	31	5	18	21	31	37	91	5v5
COL	1	0:48		8	22	25	26	27	31	5	13	17	20	31	37	5v5
DAL	2	13:22		5	15	31	44	45	59	18	21	31	38	44	91	5v5
COL	2	7:29		5	26	31	44	45	55	2	3	9	13	20	31	5v5
COL	2	5:57	Goal	9	22	23	31	39	52	5	18	21	31	37	63	5v5
DAL	2	4:55		5	8	25	26	31	44	2	3	26	29	31	63	5v5
DAL	2	2:50		9	22	25	27	31	39	5	26	29	31	44	63	5v5
DAL	2	2:37		9	22	25	27	31	39	5	21	29	31	44	63	5v5
DAL	2	2:36		9	22	25	27	31	39	5	21	29	31	44	63	5v5
DAL	2	2:35		9	22	25	27	31	39	5	21	29	31	44	63	5v5
COL	2	1:29		5	15	31	44	45	55	5	9	14	23	31	44	5v5
COL	2	1:19		4	5	9	16	31	59	2	3	26	31	63		5v4
COL	3	16:32		4	8	25	26	31	52	9	14	23	31	38	44	5v5
DAL	3	16:25		4	8	25	26	31	52	9	14	23	31	38	44	5v5
DAL	3	12:26		4	16	31	37	52	59	2	5	26	29	31	63	5v5
DAL	3	12:17	Goal	4	16	31	37	52	59	2	5	26	29	31	63	5v5
COL	3	8:28		4	8	25	26	31	52	3	13	17	20	31	37	5v5
COL	3	7:23		9	22	23	27	31	39	2	5	26	29	31	63	5v5
COL	3	6:27	Goal	4	8	25	26	31	52	3	18	21	31	37	91	5v5
DAL	3	4:58		4	9	23	31	39	52	2	3	21	29	31	63	5v5
DAL	3	4:56		4	9	23	31	39	52	2	3	21	29	31	63	5v5
DAL	3	4:39		4	9	23	31	39	52	2	3	21	29	31	63	5v5
COL	3	3:45		5	8	25	26	31	44	3	13	17	20	31	44	5v5
DAL	3	2:36		4	8	25	26	31	52	5	9	14	23	31	37	5v5
DAL	3	2:34		4	8	25	26	31	52	5	9	14	23	31	37	5v5
DAL	3	2:32		4	8	25	26	31	52	5	9	14	23	31	37	5v5
COL	3	2:20		4	8	25	26	31	52	5	9	14	23	31	37	5v5
COL	3	0:59	Goal	5	25	26	31	39	52	3	5	14	18	63	91	5v5

#	Player	EV			PP			SH
4	J. LILES	17:43	6	11	2:27	1	0	0:00	0	0
5	B. CLARK	16:38	7	3	1:53	1	0	0:50	0	0
8	W. WOLSKI	18:06	10	8	2:03	0	0	0:00	0	0
9	M. DUCHENE	13:22	3	7	2:06	1	0	0:00	0	0
15	M. HENDRICKS	8:40	2	1	0:00	0	0	0:50	0	0
16	D. TUCKER	8:08	0	3	1:41	1	0	0:00	0	0
22	S. HANNAN	18:04	3	5	0:02	0	0	1:30	0	0
23	M. HEJDUK	15:21	2	3	1:50	0	0	0:00	0	0
25	C. STEWART	17:49	11	12	2:03	0	0	0:00	0	0
26	P. STASTNY	17:50	11	8	2:37	0	0	0:01	0	0
27	K. QUINCEY	16:57	2	5	2:37	0	0	1:10	0	0
31	P. BUDAJ	52:44	16	19	4:32	1	0	2:00	0	0
37	R. O'REILLY	13:03	0	3	0:23	0	0	1:10	0	0
39	T. GALIARDI	15:40	3	7	1:05	0	0	1:09	0	0
44	R. WILSON	17:10	6	3	0:38	0	0	0:30	0	0
45	C. DURNO	9:08	3	1	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0
52	A. FOOTE	19:11	8	11	0:11	0	0	0:00	0	0
55	C. MCLEOD	9:27	3	0	0:11	0	0	0:50	0	0
59	B. YIP	11:23	0	4	0:53	1	0	0:00	0	0

Period	Totals		EV		PP		5v3 PP		SH		5v3 SH
1	6	4	6	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	4	6	3	6	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	7	9	7	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	17	19	16	19	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

The Avalanche opened this game with one of their best periods of the season. They controlled the majority of the play in the first period, had the majority of the scoring chances and got the first goal. It was Chris Durno's first career NHL goal which must have been pretty special for him considering he's 29 years old and probably thought he'd never get a chance at the NHL. It was also fitting that he scored it from behind the net! Once the Avs were up by two in the third period the obvious similarities were drawn between this game and the one they played against the Ducks before Christmas where the Avs blew a 2-0 lead with 8:00 to go. Amazingly, that was apparently the first time the Avs haven't gotten at least one point in that situation (2 goal lead with 8:00 or less left in the game) since the team moved to Colorado. That's just crazy. At any rate, the comparison looked even more apt once the Stars made it 2-1. But instead of folding the Avs soldiered on and got a beautiful goal from Chris Stewart - whose line was on for an insane percentage of the chances in this game - to make the score 3-1, a lead which the Avs held onto until the end.

Both teams struggled on the power play and/or played very well on the penalty kill. It's a zero-sum game so it's kind of hard to say which is which but by eye it seemed like both teams were over-handling the puck with the man advantage. Budaj had yet another strong game for the Avalanche and hasn't given Joe Sacco any reason to doubt his ability whenever Craig Anderson needs a rest (he was sick for this one).

Probably my favourite part of the game came when the commentator started talking about J-M Liles. He said: "John-Michael Liles is like the Tukey Dinner. He's just getting picked apart down low." Hilarious. I don't think it's caught on with Avs fans but "Turkey Dinner" is a pretty awesome nickname for Liles (who didn't have his best game in this one; the commentator's assessment was accurate).

Avalanche v. Ducks - Scoring Chances #39

2010-04-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

Tm	P	Time	Note	COL						Opponent
ANA	1	19:35		9	23	39	41	44	52	1	9	11	19	21	42	5v5
ANA	1	18:57		16	22	27	37	41	55	1	4	22	28	34	39	5v5
COL	1	17:52	Goal	4	5	15	41	45	59	1	13	16	17	27	53	5v5
COL	1	16:26		8	22	25	26	27	41	1	4	10	15	32	34	5v5
ANA	1	15:54		8	23	25	26	27	41	1	13	22	27	34		5v4
COL	1	13:06		15	22	25	27	41	45	1	4	10	15	32	34	5v5
ANA	1	10:41		4	5	25	26	41	55	1	10	15	27	32	53	5v5
COL	1	9:09		4	5	9	23	39	41	1	13	16	17	19	21	5v5
ANA	1	7:54		15	26	41	44	52		1	4	11	32	34	42	4v5
ANA	1	7:26		37	39	41	44	52		1	9	10	15	19	27	4v5
ANA	1	7:20		37	39	41	44	52		1	9	10	15	19	27	4v5
ANA	1	6:48		8	26	41	44	52		1	9	10	15	19	27	4v5
ANA	1	4:46		9	23	39	41	44	52	1	9	11	19	21	42	5v5
COL	1	4:32		8	22	25	26	27	41	1	10	15	27	32	53	5v5
ANA	1	1:00		22	26	27	41	55		1	10	15	19	27	32	4v5
COL	2	19:03		8	22	25	26	27	41	1	11	22	27	39	53	5v5
COL	2	12:15		4	5	16	41	45	59	1	4	13	22	34	39	5v5
COL	2	11:25		4	5	8	25	26	41	1	10	15	27	32	53	5v5
ANA	2	6:09		37	39	41	44	52		1	4	11	32	34	42	4v5
ANA	2	3:47		4	9	22	23	39	41	1	19	21	22	28	39	5v5
ANA	2	2:58		8	25	26	41	44	52	1	10	15	27	32	53	5v5
COL	2	1:39		8	16	26	41	44	52	1	4	22	28	34	39	5v5
COL	3	19:44		4	5	8	23	26	41	1	22	27	28	34		5v4
ANA	3	18:22		9	22	25	27	39	41	1	4	10	11	19	32	5v5
COL	3	16:39		22	23	26	27	39	41	1	10	15	27	32	53	5v5
COL	3	16:33	Goal	4	5	8	25	26	41	1	22	27	28	39	53	5v5
ANA	3	16:15		8	22	25	26	27	41	1	10	15	27	32	53	5v5
ANA	3	16:14		8	22	25	26	27	41	1	10	15	27	32	53	5v5
ANA	3	14:06		4	5	15	41	45	59	1	4	9	11	34	42	5v5
COL	3	11:12		8	23	25	26	27	41	1	13	22	27	34		5v4
ANA	3	9:06		4	5	8	25	26	41	1	9	10	15	27	53	5v5
ANA	3	7:35	Goal	8	22	25	26	27	41	1	9	10	15	27	34	5v5
ANA	3	4:56	Goal	9	25	39	41	44	52	1	11	19	21	39	42	5v5
ANA	3	3:22		4	5	15	37	41	55	1	11	19	21	39	42	5v5
COL	3	2:34		22	23	26	27	39	41	1	4	9	10	15	34	5v5
ANA	3	0:27	Goal	22	23	26	27	39	41	1	9	10	15	19	21	5v5
ANA	3	0:12	Goal	4	8	9	23	25	26	1	11	22	27	28	34	5v5

#	Player	EV			PP			SH
4	J. LILES	15:34	5	6	3:05	1	0	0:00	0	0
5	B. CLARK	12:23	5	4	2:35	1	0	1:46	0	0
8	W. WOLSKI	16:48	6	6	4:08	2	1	0:07	0	1
9	M. DUCHENE	15:02	1	6	1:52	0	0	0:00	0	0
15	M. HENDRICKS	5:48	2	2	0:00	0	0	0:54	0	1
16	D. TUCKER	7:59	2	1	1:51	0	0	0:00	0	0
22	S. HANNAN	18:31	6	7	0:01	0	0	2:06	0	1
23	M. HEJDUK	14:47	3	5	4:08	2	1	0:00	0	0
25	C. STEWART	15:54	6	9	3:24	1	1	0:00	0	0
26	P. STASTNY	16:54	8	8	4:08	2	1	0:57	0	3
27	K. QUINCEY	17:14	6	6	2:54	1	1	1:43	0	1
37	R. O'REILLY	11:57	0	2	0:00	0	0	4:05	0	3
39	T. GALIARDI	15:26	3	6	1:52	0	0	4:41	0	3
41	C. ANDERSON	47:54	12	15	6:00	2	1	6:00	0	6
44	R. WILSON	15:33	1	4	0:00	0	0	2:53	0	5
45	C. DURNO	6:04	3	1	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0
52	A. FOOTE	17:39	1	4	0:01	0	0	3:32	0	5
55	C. MCLEOD	10:26	0	3	0:01	0	0	1:16	0	1
59	B. YIP	6:07	2	1	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0

Period	Totals		EV		PP		5v3 PP		SH		5v3 SH
1	5	10	5	4	0	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
2	4	3	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
3	5	10	3	10	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	14	23	12	16	2	1	0	0	0	6	0	0

I and others have hammered the Avalanche a lot this season because of the degree to which they get outshot. And this game was a thorough beating by that metric with the Ducks holding a 43-17 advantage. But as you can see by the scoring chances, especially at EV, the Ducks weren't really generating that many more chances than the Avalanche despite the gaudy shot totals. For a large portion of the game the Avalanche were effectively preventing shots from the middle of the ice and limiting odd-man rushes against. They were a bit rough on the first PK (four of the six chances came on that one kill) but they cleaned that up as the game went along but their PP was ineffective throughout. All that to say, the Avalanche weren't piss poor in this one. The top line of Wolski, Stastny and Stewart in particular played well, considering they were matched consistently against Getzlaf and Perry and managed to pretty much break even.

The turning point in the game came when the Ducks notched their first goal. Up to that point in the third period the chances were fairly even (5-4 Ducks) and the Avalanche didn't look to be in much danger. But then, Bobby Ryan crashed the crease, prevented Anderson from making a save and the Avs came a little bit unglued. Anderson was clearly very upset at the way the game was officiated, partly because of that first goal, but also because of Corey Perry's antics in and around the crease all evening. This was one of those games where you can really understand why the NHL went to the "no feet in the crease, no exceptions" rule, not that I want it back.

Oilers v. Avalanche - Psalm 107:17-20

2010-04-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

Some have become fools in these last days,
supposing that injuries are the reason for this team's fall.
They loathed anyone who would say that the team was just poor,
and longed for something to point to.

See Also:
Oilers v. Avalanche - Psalm 107:1-9
Oilers v. Avalanche - Psalm 107:10-16

Oilers v. Wild - 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

2010-04-08T07:12:00.000-07:00

Now, let me speak to you about watching this team, alcohol and collecting money. It's a simple technique designed both to curb alcoholism in our communities and draw us together when the time is right.

Oilers v. Coyotes - Matthew 27:62-66

2010-04-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

After yet another season out of the playoffs had been guaranteed some of the bloggers and other fans of the team pleaded with Katz.

Oilers v. Stars - John 18:25-27

2010-04-02T16:38:00.000-07:00

As Ben sat in front of his computer monitor, yet another one of his co-workers, a Stars fan, stopped by and said, "You're not an Oiler fan are you?" He denied it saying, "A fan of that bunch of losers! You must be crazy! I love football! And I'm sure as hell not talking about guys in big-ass helmets ramming into each other!"

Oilers v. Red Wings - Zephaniah 2:1-3

2010-03-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

Gather together, you pathetic Oilers.
Come on, bring it in you shameful people.
The appointed time is almost here
and God's chosen instrument is about to sweep us away.
Yahweh's anger is almost fully complete for another year,
his unending punishment ready for a small reprieve.

See Also:
Oilers v. Red Wings - Zephaniah 2:4-7

Oilers v. Blues - Zechariah 5:5-11

2010-03-31T12:07:00.000-07:00

Then the angel who was speaking to me came closer and said, "Look up, do you see those numbers floating in the sky?" And so I asked, "What do the numbers mean?" Then the angel of Yahweh replied saying, "They are wins and losses and near-losses all counted and assigned to the Oilers as payment for their sins."

See Also:
Oilers v. Blues - Zechariah 5:1-4

Oilers v. Ducks - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

2010-03-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

Let us all be joyful no matter the circumstances. Let us all pray continually for God's deliverance. Let us give thanks for God's generosity in letting us being truly terrible instead of the worst kind of middling. Indeed, this sort of thankful spirit is exactly what God desires from us as we prepare to cast lots for the first pick overall.

See Also:
Oilers v. Ducks - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Oilers v. Ducks - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

Oilers v. Canucks - Psalm 27:4-8

2010-03-31T12:01:00.000-07:00

There is only one thing that we ask of Yahweh,
one thing that we seek:
That his favour would rest upon us every day
and that his hand would be with us forever.
We dream about the promised team he is creating for us
and expect to get a foretaste of that victory tonight.

See Also:
Oilers v. Canucks - Psalm 27:1-3

Oilers v. Sharks - Psalm 74:12-14

2010-03-31T11:58:00.000-07:00

You, O God, are our king for all time,
you bring salvation to your chosen team and hope for the future.

See Also:
Oilers v. Sharks - Psalm 74:1-11

Oilers v. Red Wings - Ezekiel 25:15-17

2010-03-31T11:54:00.000-07:00

This is what Yahweh, the sovereign God of Edmonton has to say: "Because the Red Wings play with ennui in the regular season, splattering one team after another like mosquitoes and because they would dare seek revenge against my people by convincing Marian Hossa that Edmonton isn't the place to play I will speak.

Avalanche v. Wild - Scoring Chances #38

2010-03-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

Tm	P	Time	Note	COL						Opponent
MIN	1	18:00		4	5	23	37	39	41	3	11	21	25	51	55	5v5
COL	1	15:43		4	5	8	23	26	41	5	11	12	25	32	55	5v5
MIN	1	11:48		4	16	22	37	41	55	5	7	21	22	24	32	5v5
MIN	1	11:45		4	16	22	37	41	55	5	7	21	22	24	32	5v5
COL	1	11:16		9	22	23	27	39	41	12	14	16	32	34	55	5v5
MIN	1	10:16		8	22	25	26	27	41	5	7	11	25	32	51	5v5
MIN	1	2:50		8	23	25	26	27	41	3	6	20	25	32		5v4
COL	1	0:14		9	16	22	39	41	52	3	6	11	22	32	51	5v5
COL	1	0:12	Goal	9	16	22	39	41	52	3	6	11	22	32	51	5v5
MIN	2	18:09		4	5	16	37	41	55	11	25	32	34	51	55	5v5
COL	2	16:12	Goal	8	22	25	26	27	41	3	6	9	15	20	32	5v5
MIN	2	13:16		8	22	25	26	27	41	3	5	21	22	24	32	5v5
MIN	2	12:52		8	22	25	26	41	44	3	6	21	22	24	32	5v5
MIN	2	12:13		8	23	25	26	27	41	3	6	9	12	32		5v4
COL	2	10:20		8	25	26	41	44	52	3	6	14	15	16	32	5v5
COL	2	9:32	Goal	9	22	23	27	39	41	3	6	11	25	32	51	5v5
COL	2	8:42		4	5	37	41	55	59	9	15	20	32	34	55	5v5
MIN	2	7:57		4	5	25	26	41		5	14	21	32	55		4v4
COL	2	6:53		8	23	26	27	41		3	6	9	32			4v3
MIN	2	6:06	Goal	4	8	9	16	25	41	5	20	22	32	55		5v4
COL	2	3:45		4	25	26	27	39	41	6	9	15	20	32	55	5v5
MIN	2	3:35		4	25	26	27	39	41	6	9	15	20	32	55	5v5
COL	2	2:45	Goal	15	41	44	52	55		5	9	11	14	22	32	4v5
MIN	3	13:31		15	22	37	41	52	55	7	9	15	20	32	34	5v5
COL	3	11:04		8	25	26	41	44	52	21	24	32	34	51	55	5v5
MIN	3	8:44		26	39	41	44	52		5	9	11	14	15	32	4v5
MIN	3	7:56	Goal	4	5	15	37	41	55	5	11	12	16	32	55	5v5
MIN	3	6:05	Goal	5	8	25	39	41	44	7	9	14	15	32	34	5v5
MIN	3	5:50		8	22	25	26	27	41	5	7	11	14	16	32	5v5
MIN	3	5:49		8	22	25	26	27	41	5	7	11	14	16	32	5v5
MIN	3	3:26		9	23	27	39	41	52	3	6	11	14	25	32	5v5
MIN	3	3:23		9	23	27	39	41	52	3	6	11	14	25	32	5v5
MIN	3	1:58		8	22	25	26	27	41	5	7	9	15	20	32	5v5
MIN	3	1:56		8	22	25	26	27	41	5	7	9	15	20	32	5v5

#	Player	EV			PP			SH
4	J. LILES	11:30	3	7	4:31	0	1	0:28	0	0
5	B. CLARK	11:06	2	5	3:48	0	0	0:28	0	0
8	W. WOLSKI	11:31	4	8	4:47	1	3	0:59	0	0
9	M. DUCHENE	10:57	4	2	3:42	0	1	0:00	0	0
15	M. HENDRICKS	6:24	0	2	0:04	0	0	1:58	1	0
16	D. TUCKER	12:11	2	3	3:37	0	1	0:00	0	0
22	S. HANNAN	18:59	5	10	0:05	0	0	2:51	0	0
23	M. HEJDUK	9:21	3	3	4:38	1	2	0:00	0	0
25	C. STEWART	14:53	4	10	3:54	0	3	0:00	0	0
26	P. STASTNY	13:53	5	9	5:05	1	2	2:35	0	1
27	K. QUINCEY	15:30	4	9	3:24	1	2	2:51	0	0
37	R. O'REILLY	13:35	1	6	0:21	0	0	2:58	0	0
39	T. GALIARDI	13:52	5	5	3:05	0	0	4:11	0	1
41	C. ANDERSON	43:16	10	18	8:41	1	3	6:48	1	1
44	R. WILSON	13:50	2	2	0:26	0	0	3:29	1	1
45	C. DURNO	6:18	0	0	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0
52	A. FOOTE	15:37	4	3	0:21	0	0	3:29	1	1
55	C. MCLEOD	10:57	1	5	0:30	0	0	0:55	1	0
59	B. YIP	5:03	1	0	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0

Period	Totals		EV		PP		5v3 PP		SH		5v3 SH
1	4	5	4	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	7	7	5	5	1	2	0	0	1	0	0	0
3	1	10	1	9	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	12	22	10	18	1	3	0	0	1	1	0	0

The first period was a little dreary but the second period was one of the most exciting I've seen all season. The final chances tally looks bad for the Avalanche but they began the third period with a three-goal lead, so a big negative number isn't all that surprising. That said, goaltending really was the difference in this one as Nicklas Backstrom allowed three goals on the first seven scoring chances against. None of the goals were really his fault but you need more saves than that if you're going to win the game.

After jumping out to a 3-0 lead the Avs had what I expected to be the worst defensive breakdown of the game. The Wild rushed in 3-on-1 while short-handed and closed the gap to 3-1. BUT, right after generating a power play of their own and giving themselves a chance to really get back into the game, the Wild made the worst change I may have ever seen. The Avs dumped the puck down the ice and all of the Wild players went to the bench. The puck bounced off the end boards in the Wild zone and into the high slot which left the Avs with a 2-on-0. Short-handed. Of course they scored and the Wild were suddenly down 4-1 heading into the third.

The game was very physical the whole way through. At one point in the first period Kyle Quincey took out Antti Miettinen as he was racing toward the boards on what was a pretty brutal hit. Owen Nolan stepped in to fight Quincey who politely declined and earned the Avs a two-man advantage. The Avs didn't score on the two-man advantage (they were plain awful on the PP) but the Wild didn't forget about Quincey. With the score 4-1 in the third period Derek Boogaard boarded Quincey and in doing so grabbed the back of Quincey's head with one hand and smashed it into the glass. How he got away with a two-minute penalty and no suspension I have no idea, but it goes to show that the Code is certainly not completely dead. If you don't want to fight, some teams will really make you pay the price. At any rate, Minnesota poured on the pressure for the rest of the period but could only manage two more goals and ended up losing the game 4-3.

One last thing I wanted to relate was a great play from Backstrom killing that 5-on-3 in the first period. Backstrom caught a shot from the point with about five seconds left in the first penalty and when he realized there were no Avs in front he quickly played the puck to a defender who iced it and made sure the Wild wouldn't need to take another defensive draw with only three guys on the ice. A real heads-up play by Backstrom and a perfect indication of how out of synch the Avs were on the PP all game.

Avalanche v. Blue Jackets - Scoring Chances #37

2010-03-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

Tm	P	Time	Note	COL						Opponent
COL	1	19:40	Goal	8	22	25	26	27	41	1	3	20	50	51	61	5v5
CBJ	1	19:13		23	39	41	44	52	55	1	8	22	25	26	33	5v5
COL	1	16:39	Goal	4	5	8	9	23	41	1	3	25	33	50	51	5v5
COL	1	15:48		8	23	25	26	27	41	1	36	50	51	61		5v4
COL	1	15:46	Goal	8	23	25	26	27	41	1	36	50	51	61		5v4
CBJ	1	14:06		8	22	25	26	27	41	8	17	20	22	32	61	5v5
CBJ	1	14:03		8	22	25	26	27	41	8	17	20	22	32	61	5v5
COL	1	13:18		15	41	44	45	52	59	3	10	14	17	32	40	5v5
COL	1	12:38		8	23	25	26	27	41	8	22	26	32			5v3
COL	1	12:15		8	23	25	26	27	41	8	22	26	32			5v3
COL	1	12:03		4	8	23	25	26	41	3	32	50	51			5v3
COL	1	12:00		4	8	23	25	26	41	3	32	50	51			5v3
COL	1	11:59	Goal	4	8	23	25	26	41	3	32	50	51			5v3
CBJ	1	5:16		15	41	44	45	52	59	8	16	18	22	32	93	5v5
CBJ	1	4:54		9	22	23	27	39	41	8	20	22	32	50	61	5v5
CBJ	2	18:57		8	22	25	26	41	44	20	32	36	50	51	61	5v5
CBJ	2	18:52		8	22	25	26	27	41	20	32	36	50	51	61	5v5
CBJ	2	16:32	Goal	15	22	27	41	55		18	20	32	51	61	93	4v5
CBJ	2	15:08		8	25	26	41	44	52	14	17	32	36	40	51	5v5
CBJ	2	12:04		8	22	27	37	41		10	16	18	20	32	61	4v5
CBJ	2	11:33		5	26	39	41	52		10	14	16	20	32	50	4v5
COL	2	10:25		8	23	25	26	27	41	8	22	25	26	32		5v4
CBJ	2	9:55		4	5	9	16	39	41	32	36	50	51	61		5v4
CBJ	2	6:37	Goal	37	39	41	44	52		10	16	25	32	33	50	4v5
COL	2	3:36		8	23	25	26	27	41	8	17	18	22	32		5v4
COL	2	3:35		8	23	25	26	27	41	8	17	18	22	32		5v4
COL	2	2:34		8	23	25	26	27	41	32	36	50	51	61		5v4
COL	2	2:31		8	23	25	26	27	41	32	36	50	51	61		5v4
COL	2	2:06		4	5	9	16	39	41	3	10	16	18	32	93	5v5
CBJ	3	18:20		9	23	39	41	44	52	25	26	32	33	36	51	5v5
CBJ	3	18:17		9	23	39	41	44	52	25	26	32	33	36	51	5v5
COL	3	12:47		8	25	26	41	44	52	8	20	22	32	50	61	5v5
CBJ	3	12:29		8	25	26	41	44	52	3	10	14	17	32	40	5v5
COL	3	9:38		22	23	26	27	39	41	3	10	20	32	50	61	5v5
COL	3	8:52		4	5	9	23	39	41	3	10	16	18	32	93	5v5
COL	3	8:03		8	25	26	27	41	44	8	22	25	32	50	61	5v5
CBJ	3	6:45		4	5	23	37	41	55	3	10	14	17	32	40	5v5
COL	3	3:29	Goal	4	5	23	25	39	41	3	18	22	25	32	93	5v5

#	Player	EV			PP			SH
4	J. LILES	13:48	4	1	1:33	0	1	0:00	0	0
5	B. CLARK	13:03	4	1	1:33	0	1	1:11	0	1
8	W. WOLSKI	14:17	4	6	3:13	7	0	2:00	0	1
9	M. DUCHENE	13:09	3	3	1:46	0	1	0:00	0	0
15	M. HENDRICKS	6:34	1	1	0:00	0	0	0:29	0	1
16	D. TUCKER	12:30	1	0	1:46	0	1	0:00	0	0
22	S. HANNAN	15:45	2	5	0:13	0	0	2:43	0	2
23	M. HEJDUK	12:59	4	5	3:13	7	0	0:00	0	0
25	C. STEWART	15:09	4	6	3:13	7	0	0:00	0	0
26	P. STASTNY	14:55	4	6	3:13	7	0	1:48	0	1
27	K. QUINCEY	16:55	3	4	3:13	7	0	2:43	0	2
37	R. O'REILLY	14:35	0	1	0:00	0	0	2:58	0	2
39	T. GALIARDI	14:48	4	4	1:46	0	1	2:46	0	2
41	C. ANDERSON	48:27	9	12	4:59	7	1	5:15	0	4
44	R. WILSON	18:08	3	7	0:00	0	0	1:21	0	1
45	C. DURNO	7:51	1	1	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0
52	A. FOOTE	19:08	2	6	0:13	0	0	2:32	0	2
55	C. MCLEOD	12:02	0	2	0:00	0	0	0:29	0	1
59	B. YIP	6:39	1	1	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0

Period	Totals		EV		PP		5v3 PP		SH		5v3 SH
1	10	5	3	5	2	0	5	0	0	0	0	0
2	6	8	1	3	5	1	0	0	0	4	0	0
3	5	4	5	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	21	17	9	12	7	1	5	0	0	4	0	0

For the second consecutive game the score dictated the flow of play for most of the contest. After five minutes of action the Avalanche had a 3-0 lead and were up 4-1 in scoring chances with two of those coming on the power play. After that, the Avs pretty much shut the game down for two periods, scoring once more on a 2:00 five-on-three but otherwise generating only 2 chances at EV, including one stretch of over twenty minutes after they went up 4-0 where they didn't generate a single chance, EV or otherwise. And that's to be expected to some degree. The fact that the Avs came out and played hard in the 3rd period was enough to convince me that despite the 12-9 disadvantage in chances the Avs were probably the better team at EV on this night. The 21-17 overall margin was well-earned.

The Avs were again good on the power play, generating a lot of chances and making sure to, essentially, put the game away by scoring on the five-on-three. Things could have been better on the PK what with the Jackets scoring two goals but four chances in over five minutes isn't all that awful and the second goal just found a seam through a screen. Probably the most egregious PK error came when Ryan O'Reilly and T.J. Galiardi managed to have their two-on-one come to nothing (no shot of any kind) against Jakub Voracek. Wowzers.

Stewart, Stastny and Wolski were outchanced somewhat in this one, but they were also tasked (by Hitchcock as much as Sacco) with taking on the Rick Nash line so the 4-6 split isn't as bad as it looks, especially since they were protecting the lead. The same is true of the defensive pairing of Hannan and Quincey who have been taking the tough match-ups almost all year. Foote and Wilson had a tough game against some lessers. Wilson seems to have impressed enough to earn a spot in the Avs top four D which is quite an accomplishment for a rookie. The last two games have shown pretty poor results but generally he's held his own quite well. Milan Hejduk also returned to the lineup and had a positive impact, especially on the PP with the 5-2 marker just icing on the cake. Meanwhile, the fourth line of Yip (1st NHL game!), Durno and Hendricks actually played fairly well, and certainly a lot better than David Koci who is serving a suspension for his hit on Mike Green. Hopefully that line shows some chemistry and Koci stays out of the lineup.

Avalanche v. Capitals - Scoring Chances #36

2010-03-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

Tm	P	Time	Note	COL						Opponent
WSH	1	18:05	Goal	4	5	9	29	39	41	4	14	16	27	57	60	5v5
WSH	1	17:48		15	28	41	43	44	52	4	10	17	27	39	60	5v5
COL	1	17:12		4	5	16	37	41	55	9	21	28	52	55	60	5v5
WSH	1	15:05		9	22	27	29	39	41	14	16	52	55	57	60	5v5
COL	1	12:06		8	22	25	26	27	41	8	19	22	52	55	60	5v5
WSH	1	11:08		4	5	15	28	41	43	3	4	14	16	57	60	5v5
COL	1	10:57		9	29	39	41	44	52	3	4	14	16	57	60	5v5
COL	1	4:04		9	16	27	39	41	44	14	28	52	55	60		5v4
WSH	1	2:58	Goal	4	5	8	25	26	41	8	19	22	27	52	60	5v5
WSH	1	1:57		9	15	16	27	41	44	3	9	21	28	55	60	5v5
WSH	1	1:55		9	15	16	27	41	44	3	9	21	28	55	60	5v5
COL	2	19:33		5	8	25	26	27	41	3	10	16	26	39	60	5v5
WSH	2	18:58		9	22	27	29	39	41	8	19	22	52	55	60	5v5
WSH	2	18:47		9	22	27	29	39	41	8	19	22	52	55	60	5v5
WSH	2	15:59	Goal	9	22	27	29	39	41	3	10	17	26	39	60	5v5
COL	2	14:53		4	5	16	37	41	55	9	21	28	52	55	60	5v5
COL	2	13:36		9	22	27	29	39	41	4	10	17	39	52	60	5v5
COL	2	11:01		4	5	16	37	41	55	9	21	28	52	55	60	5v5
WSH	2	9:28	Goal	4	5	15	25	28	41	4	14	16	52	57	60	5v5
WSH	2	8:47		9	22	27	29	39	41	8	19	22	52	55	60	5v5
WSH	2	7:12		16	37	41	44	52	55	3	4	10	17	39	60	5v5
WSH	2	6:49		16	37	41	44	52	55	3	4	10	17	39	60	5v5
WSH	2	6:39	Goal	16	37	41	44	52	55	3	4	10	17	39	60	5v5
COL	2	4:59		9	29	39	41	44	52	4	8	21	28	52	60	5v5
WSH	2	4:17		9	39	41	44	52		3	8	19	26	60		4v4
WSH	2	2:17		9	22	41	44	55		3	8	16	21	28	60	4v5
WSH	2	0:37		9	27	41	43	52		9	14	16	55	57	60	4v5
WSH	3	18:04		5	15	22	31	37	43	3	8	9	21	28	60	5v5
COL	3	14:33		22	25	26	27	31	43	3	14	21	22	39	60	5v5
COL	3	10:45		8	27	31	37	43	52	14	16	21	55	57	60	5v5
COL	3	8:42		9	27	31	37	39	44	3	9	14	55	60		5v4
COL	3	8:41	Goal	9	27	31	37	39	44	3	9	14	55	60		5v4
COL	3	7:20		5	16	22	31	37	39	14	21	27	39	60		5v4
COL	3	6:32		15	16	22	27	31	55	3	10	19	27	55	60	5v5
WSH	3	4:34		5	8	31	37	39	44	4	10	17	27	39	60	5v5
WSH	3	2:37	Goal	27	31	37	39	44		3	8	9	16	19	60	4v5

#	Player	EV			PP			SH
4	J. LILES	9:24	3	4	2:32	0	0	0:00	0	0
5	B. CLARK	14:39	4	6	3:56	1	0	0:53	0	0
8	W. WOLSKI	11:47	3	2	2:55	0	0	0:00	0	0
9	M. DUCHENE	12:54	3	9	3:41	3	0	0:51	0	2
15	M. HENDRICKS	9:11	1	6	0:19	0	0	0:49	0	0
16	D. TUCKER	11:24	4	5	3:15	2	0	0:00	0	0
22	S. HANNAN	18:14	4	6	1:01	1	0	1:09	0	1
25	C. STEWART	13:09	3	2	4:54	0	0	0:00	0	0
26	P. STASTNY	12:36	3	1	4:56	0	0	0:00	0	0
27	K. QUINCEY	15:34	6	7	5:09	3	0	1:15	0	2
28	D. KOCI	4:52	0	3	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0
29	R. STOA	13:01	3	6	0:02	0	0	0:00	0	0
31	P. BUDAJ	14:02	3	2	4:59	3	0	0:59	0	1
37	R. O'REILLY	15:07	4	5	2:03	3	0	1:29	0	1
39	T. GALIARDI	13:14	3	8	3:46	4	0	2:04	0	1
41	C. ANDERSON	33:28	8	16	4:00	1	0	2:32	0	2
43	J. MERCIER	9:44	2	3	0:00	0	0	0:32	0	1
44	R. WILSON	18:12	2	8	4:14	3	0	2:27	0	2
52	A. FOOTE	18:57	3	5	1:06	0	0	1:18	0	1
55	C. MCLEOD	13:31	4	3	1:06	0	0	1:17	0	1

Period	Totals		EV		PP		5v3 PP		SH		5v3 SH
1	4	7	3	7	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	5	11	5	9	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
3	6	3	3	2	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	15	21	11	18	4	0	0	0	0	3	0	0

I'm really not sure how helpful the scoring chance information is going to be for the last half of this game. When the Capitals scored their fourth goal I had the scoring chances at 11-8 for Washington which really isn't too dissimilar from a lot of Avalanche games this season. The big difference tonight was that Craig Anderson couldn't make as many saves as he usually can and so the Avalanche ended up getting buried and once the team goes down by four, both teams are going to kind of let down.

A sure sign that Joe Sacco had given up the ghost early? David Koci was taking shifts in the second period. And what did the man do with his extra ice time? He was outchanced 3-0 and concussed Mike Green. Fantastic. The league could eliminate these good-for-nothing goons easily by instituting a rule that every skater (i.e. not the backup goalie) needs to play at least 8:00 every night. Suddenly, no more goons. I guess coaches would be pissed because they couldn't really bench a guy in-game effectively. And you'd need to find a way to deal with injuries (like Mike Green's). So maybe that's not a very good suggestion. But I wish a solution could be found because these goons are useless.

Speaking of useless, John Erskine's response to Koci's hit was pretty much that. Why in the hell would you instigate a fight with David Koci. It's the only thing that guy is on the team to do so it's not as though you're teaching him a lesson. AND you're going to get your ass kicked. AND since Green was hurt and you take an instigator penalty (i.e. 2:00 + 5:00 + 10:00 = 17:00 in the box) you're essentially taking your team down to four defenders. I understand you need to "defend your teammates" but that was particularly ineffective way of doing it.

One thing I thought to note was that Koci's hit wasn't the only really dangerous hit of the game. With about 12:00 to go in the third period Alex Ovechkin decided to hit Ryan Wilson and skated about fifteen feet to do so. So when Wilson moved, Ovechkin wasn't about to be deterred and the two ended up going knee-on-knee. No one was hurt and so nothing really came of it but that wasn't a good hit and Ovechkin probably deserved a major penalty. But that hit wasn't close to the douchiest display of the game. That honour goes to Adam Foote for cross-checking one of the Caps forwards in the chest (bad) when the guy didn't have the puck (worse) and then complaining to the ref when he got a penalty (douche).