Game #14 - Calgary 2, Colorado 1

Eventually this team needs to start learning from their mistakes, or they are going to find themselves sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference once again very quickly. Simply put, the avs are outshooting every opponent but not producing, and its time right now for a trade or coaching change. Even with Mueller coming back, players like Kevin Porter and Chuck Kobasew are being forced into roles they shouldn't be in, and it cost them the winning goal tonight as Kobasew made an awful attempt at the clear before Calgary scored. There are two obvious things from this game: that the OWL line and top line of Duchene Hejduk Stastny are going to stay together, as both lines were great tonight chemistry wise. The problem was the other two lines, as Coach Sacco continuously switched guys on these lines and couldn't find the right mix and they cost the avs both goals. Varlamov played well tonight, despite allowing Giordano's soft point shot in, but once again the offensive couldn't back up his strong play. Regardless of the outcome, change is needed asap as they need to either bring someone in or let Sacco go and replace him with a new coach. A healthy Mueller should provide a spark for this team, but after a hot start they have played simply awful and have just been invisible in their own rink, an embarrassing stat at 1-5 in Denver. Another tough one to swallow for this team, but it is early and they need to learn from this game: Change is needed.
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Shane O'Brien - Has been a great player for the avs all season long, and he chipped in tonight with an assist in almost 20 minutes of work.
2. Paul Stastny - The first line has emerged after the past two games, and Stastny has some chemistry with Duchene and Hejduk as he scored the avs lone goal tonight
1. Matt Duchene - Matt finally seems to have found his game, as he picked up an assist on the lone goal but more importantly is starting to become a presence on the ice. With true linemates, he is creating scoring chances not trying to find them, and he is primed for a good run with this line

Misplay of the Game: Both goals tonight, the first just a soft goal let in by Varlamov. But the real thing that pissed me off was the 2nd goal, as Chuck Kobasew just lazily dove at the puck and didn't clear the zone, allowing them to score seconds later. Kobasew needs to be sent a message for his awful play, and that should be him being benched next game

Game #15 - Doesn't get any easier for the avs, as they head to Detroit to face the Red Wings on Tuesday night (@730pm) in search of their first win in November.

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #13 - Dallas 7, Colorado 6 (OT)

In a high scoring western conference tilt with the Dallas Stars, they avs came up short losing in OT - a tough one to swallow after dominating OT before allowing the goal. Coach Sacco finally gave Duchene the linemates he needed, and man oh man did he respond tonight recording his first career hatrick and picking up an assist for a 4-point night. Duchene skated on the LW with Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk, and the best three forwards on the avs didn't disappoint providing 4 of the avs 6 goals. If this game was a sign for Joe Sacco, he needs to keep this line together as it showed what having good linemates can do for Duchene. Duchene only had 2 goals and 4 assists before this game, but he broke out in style recording his first career hatrick, and I believe this will come as a huge confidence boost for the 20-year old despite the loss. Simply put, the avs D and goaltending were awful tonight, as they were allowing too much traffic to get in front of Varlamov and he had a hard time seeing several of the Stars goals. The avs gave up three leads in this game, a 2-0 (and allowing 4 straight 2nd period stars goals), 5-4 lead and 6-5 lead before losing it in OT. For the second straight night they were defeated in the faceoff dot, only by two draws winning 35 of 72. The avs have been great at getting tons of shots, firing 40 on goal tonight for 6 goals, but came up one short. In a game where the offense was clicking, but the defence was awful, the avs just couldn't get the two points and walked away with 1. Besides Duchene, McClement Winnik (2nd straight game) and Stastny scored the other goals. Ryan Wilson had his best game of the season, with 3 assists he now has 1 goal and 7 assists as well as a team best +8. Despite a great game from the top line, the avs can't be happy with this loss and certainly will serve as a learning point for the whole team.
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Erik Johnson - Despite getting victimized on the game winning goal, Johnson had another rock-solid game picking up an assist while logging just over 27 minutes of work. I thought he made Ryan Wilson play a lot better in a new pairing on d, but most importantly he continues to lead with force and strong play on the ice, big reasons I believe he eventually will be named captain of this team
2. Ryan Wilson - Had his best game in an av uniform tonight, picking up 3 assists being paired with Erik Johnson. Wilson has been known for his physical play, but he has really chipped in offensively with 8 points this season and a team best +8. I didn't think he would even make the team this year, but he has been a great surprise and surely solidified his spot on the team after years of fighting for a spot
1. Matt Duchene - What a game for Duchene, paired with Stastny and Hejduk he really got a chance to showcase his top notch talent tonight in scoring his first career hatrick and picking up an assist for a 4-point night. I have been saying for weeks that he needs a true winger, but playing on the wing with Stastny and having Hejduk on the other side really creates room for him to find his place. Simply put, this line is dominant with the puck and can cycle as good as any first line in the league, and Coach Sacco needs to keep them together. Congrats to Matt on his first career hatrick

Misplay of the Game: Two seperate plays here, first being Ryan O'Byrne knocking the puck into his own net for the first Stars goal, which was a real momentum shift for Dallas in the 2nd. But the obvious choice was the OT goal, as Hejda knocked Varly out of his net and Erik Johnson couldn't cover up as Eriksson banked it off EJ in the net for the game winning goal

Play of the Game: No brainer here, Matt Duchene's hatrick goal was simply nasty as he split two Stars defenders with a beauty toe drag and put it past Lehtonen for his first career hatrick

Game #14 - The avs head home for a divisional matchup with the Calgary Flames, as they look to rebound following two straight losses as well as revenge on the Flames who beat them a few games ago. The game is Sunday night (@8pm).

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #12 - Phoenix 4, Colorado 1

It seems that the avs haven't figured out their woes at home, as they put everything towards Mike Smith tonight but only to score 1 goal on 40 shots. At some point, the avs need to figure out their game at home or it is going to be a tough season for them despite a good start. The avs found themselves out-dueled in the faceoff dot for the first time this season, losing 36 of 66 faceoffs. I was only able to catch the first period and a bit of the second before going to my own hockey game, but it seemed that the avs were creating scoring chances just not capitalizing. There have been several similar games like this (e.g. vs Edmonton) where the avs pour on the shots but can't muster up any offence. It seems that the only line really clicking for the avs once again is the OWL line, as they produced the only goal. While Varlamov didn't play amazing, he played alright and the avs are starting to lose games without being able to produce anything for Varly at the other end. While he has played exceptionally well so far, he isn't going to steal every game, and the avs found that out tonight losing to a more defensive Coyotes team. Overall, this wasn't as horrible as some of the other losses this season, but the avs really need to start fixing their scoring issues particularly at home. I think it is time to pull a trigger on a trade and get Matt Duchene a winger he can become comfortable with (something they've lacked since Fleishmann last season, who I hated seeing them let go I thought it was a no brainer to keep him after his hot start with the avs).
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Ryan O'Byrne - Picked up an assist on the only avs goal, and was the only avs player in the plus tonight with +1 in almost 15 minutes of work
2. Daniel Winnik - Probably the most underrated player on the roster, he gets overshadowed by Landeskog and O'Reilly, but Daniel is really playing well this season and his line is by far the best. He picked up an assist on O'Reilly's goal
1. Ryan O'Reilly - The young centre is off to a great start this season, finding his offensive game and he scored the lone avs goal. He now has 2 goals and 7 assists to lead the avs in points with 9

Misplay of the Game: Jan Hejda failing to clear the puck, leading to the Coyotes 2nd goal scored by Vrbata gets it tonight

Game #13 - The avs head to Dallas to meet the streaking Stars on Friday night (@830pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Andy Sutton Suspension - Was it Enough?

My Thoughts: From having watched this game first-hand, I thought Sutton should have been given 5 and a game for the elbow and I knew suspension was looming for him. He was given 2 minutes for elbowing, but I loved how Shane O'Brien stepped in to fight him immediately (showing exactly the reason why the avs signed him in the offseason - to provide size and grit, but to protect their star players). This could have and was a scary incident, and luckily, Landeskog shook it off right away, but Sutton clearly targeted the head as Shanny stated in his explanation. These are the type of hits that are trying to be eliminated from our game, especially in terms of the veteran Sutton going after the 18-year old rookie Landeskog, it just looks horrible on Andy's part. In simplest terms, Sutton wasn't trying to injure Gabriel but it was a head shot on a player who wasn't expecting it, a blindside hit where Landeskog wasn't looking before getting the elbow to the head. For me, if James Wisniewski was given 8 games for his elbow, I felt that Sutton should have gotten a similar suspension as I felt his hit was much worse (and like Wisniewski, Sutton is a repeat offender). Ultimately the biggest factor was that Landeskog was not hurt, but I still felt that it was a vicious elbow deserving of a 8-10 game suspension. Regardless, Sutton paid the price and was suspended 5 games yesterday, forking over $57,432.45 in salary. For me, I love the way Shanahan is handling his disciplinary role so far, and I think he is making our game safer for everyone.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Andy-Sutton-gets-5-game-ban-for-Landeskog-hit-a;_ylt=AqHulA94F_g8dDWgWBvILrd7vLYF?urn=nhl-wp16409

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tSuisrmpnU

Above I have posted two links: the first is yahoo sports' Greg Wyshynski's take on the hit (with video of Shanahan's explanation), and the second is the actual Youtube video of the hit. 

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News