Avs Talk - A Colorado Avalanche Blog

Well I'm not going to lie to you. I wrote the Avalanche off as dead in the water after the second period tonight.

I had started fast-forwarding through the third period when all of a sudden the Avalanche got a goal. Then another. And another!

By the time the dust cleared the Avalanche had come back from a 4-2 deficit to win 5-4 on the back of two big goals by Marek Svatos.

Fire then Ice
The game started off with some spunk as both Scott Parker and Cody McCormick dropped the gloves. Parker fought Tim Conboy in what was apparently Conboy's first NHL shift. Welcome to the big leagues Mr. Conboy. Then McCormick and Commodore squared off and ended up just wrestling each other into the boards.

However after dominating play early, the Avalanche gave up the first two goals. Erik Cole started it off by blowing past Liles and Theodore with what was apparently deceptive speed. I could see how fast he was going. Then Keith Aucoin stepped into one and blew it right through Theodore's glove. At least it seemed to go through his glove and Theo gave it a long look after so I'm going to blame it on equipment.

Early in the 2nd the teams traded goals as Milan Hejduk broke out of his slump and then Chad LaRose answered right back as he banged home a rebound off a shot that Theodore really should have stopped.

Hopes were then buoyed again as Paul Stastny was able to get past his slump as well as he banged home a rebound off a shot from Jaroslav Hlinka. But in what seemed like a vicious, never-ending circle, the Canes regained their two goal lead as Cory Stillman flew down the wing and blasted a shot home. I'd like Theodore to stop that but it was a really well placed shot on the low blocker side.

The Comeback Trail
The Avalanche then started their comeback just after the 10 minute mark of the third period. Cody McLeod started things off as he got Ward to look one way and then wrapped the puck around on the other side. McLeod has definitely been an unexpected spark for this team.

Then the Avalanche's new Mr. Clutch went to work. Marek Svatos tied the game as grabbed a loose puck in the slot and ripped it past Ward who was excellent all night long. And it was at that point that I said "Please at least get one point." The thought of them winning in regulation didn't cross my mind. Losing? Yes, that crossed my mind.

Then Svatos made me wake up the the neighbours as he got his second of the night and 5th game-winner of the season. Arnason, Wolski and Svatos broke in three wide, Wolski fed it to Arnason who got a shot off and then Svatos did what he does best as he cleaned up the garbage left in front by Cam Ward.

This was unarguably the biggest win of the season for the Avalanche and hopefully they can really pick things up from here. Unfortunately they play an afternoon game tomorrow against Florida who also played tonight so it could be a snoozefest.

So in the end, it was a good night. We went 2-o in volleyball, the Avalanche posted a 5-4 come from behind win and the Thrashers beat the Penguins in a shootout. I usually don't care about the Pens but riding a winning streak like they were, I decided to bet that streak would end at some point. With my huge haul I'll be upgrading from a medium Tim Horton's to a large one tomorrow. Score!

Lines
McLeod-Stastny-Hejduk
Wolski-Arnason-Svatos
McCormick-Guite-Laperriere
Brunette-Hlinka-Parker

A little shake up again as Cody McLeod gets bumped all the way to the top line. The thinking likely being that he'll create some space and energy for that line. If that was the thinking then I think Q can tag a Misson Accomplished banner to it.

Tyler Arnason found himself centering the second line as Jaroslav Hlinka got demoted to the fourth. At first I was a bit upset as Hlinka has played so well with Marek Svatos. However Arnason shut me up as he put in a solid effort and came away with assists on the final two goals.

Scott Parker was in the lineup tonight as Q decided to actually have forwards play forward and defensemen play defense. It's a bold strategy but I think it worked out.

Related Links
NHL.com Event Summary
ColoradoAvalanche.com Recap
Lord Stanley's Blog Recap