(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
After jumping out to a 2-0 lead, the Avalanche then gave up 3 straight goals and had many fans nervously wringing their hands. Andrew Brunette continued his under-the-radar work as he took a Forsberg pass and displayed some fancy hands as he beat Roloson on a deke right in the crease. You won't see many players with the hands and patience to pull that off.
Unfortunately the Avalanche went into the third period down 4-3 after Sam Gagner restored the Oilers lead. Things were looking grim but I really had a feeling about this one. With mere seconds left I started to think I was crazy and that this team wasn't going to get it down. And in steps Joe Sakic. The man - who is totally useless by the way - tied the game with just 5 seconds left prompting me to wake up the neighbourhood I'm sure.
After OT decided nothing, the Avalanche took it to Roloson in the shootout and came away with a big 2 points on the night. The Avalanche maintain their hold on the #7 seed in the West and have now reached the 90 point barrier. The Canucks got thumped again tonight and Nashville moved into the #8 seed but the Avalanche still hold a 4-point cushion from #8.
Shootout
I don't like shootouts deciding extra points in a game but they sure are exciting. Especially when the team you're cheering for scores on all 3 of their attempts. Dwayne Roloson was taken to town by Wojtek Wolski, Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk in the shootout. Sakic and Wolski both went backhand-roof and Hejduk went low blocker to steal the extra point.
Ray Ferraro, color commentator for the Oilers, called all three Avalanche goals and I'm guessing MacTavish might ask him for advice next time the Oil find themselves in a shootout.
Another goaltending anti-duel
That's actually not fair to Roloson who played a pretty decent game. Jose Theodore, on the other hand, spent most of the night as he did the last game against Vancouver; kicking out rebounds and hoping the defense would clear them.
I'm not sure where Theodore's head is at lately but he's been less than stellar in the last two games. Essentially the Avalanche got 4 points despite some soft play from Theodore. With the playoffs looming on the horizon, Theodore needs to bring his head back into the game fast. I mean, what was he doing hugging the post on the Gagner goal? That was just weird.
In consolation - you know, aside from the 2 points - Theodore should get a Highlight of the Night nod for his sprawling glove save in the first period.
Forsberg Injured?
Peter Forsberg, who put up another great showing with 3 assists, was not on the bench during the Overtime period leading to speculation that he has again aggravated his foot or groin. He played over 22 minutes tonight so it's not unlikely.
You know what I can say with 100% certainty is aggravated? *points to self* This guy. Let's recap Forsberg's schedule since his return:
Mar 4, 6, 8 - plays around 20 minutes per game
Mar 9, 11, 13, 15 - sits out with sore groin
Mar 17 - plays 20 minutes
Mar 20, 22 - sits out with sore groin/foot
Mar 24, 26 - plays 15 minutes per game
Mar 28 - plays 22 minutes
Mar 30 - sits out with a scurvy (ok, I'm just guessing)
Does the coaching staff not see the damn pattern here?
Adam Foote Returns
Adam Foote was back in the lineup tonight and boy did he look...slow. The Oilers are a high-flying team and players such as Gagner, Cogliano and Glencross viewed him as nothing more than a pylon.
He did start getting meaner as the game wore on, presumably because he was sick of the breeze as Oilers flew past him. As long as he can strike some fear into the opposition, he can make up for a lack of Foote speed. Heh, get it. Foote speed.
Notes
- Forsberg went off for a spear on Staios after Staios got away with cranking Forsberg in the mouth earlier in the play
- Liles had a terrible shift which led to Gagner's go-ahead goal in the 2nd as he bobbled the puck twice
- Sakic was snakebitten by bouncing pucks until his tying goal (which was on edge when he chipped it in)
- Ruslan Salei coughed up the puck late but Theodore bailed him out with a nice save on Nilsson
Game Highlights
Related Links
NHL.com Event Summary
ColoradoAvalanche.com Recap
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3 Comments:
For an incredible comeback win, you sure are being a negative nancy!
Hah! Well, I suppose discussing Theodore's tough game, Foote's slowness and Forsberg's injury could be taken as being a Negative Nancy. Or a Realistic Rodrigo ;)
It was a big win and I was very excited but I try and temper that a bit when writing my recaps. I don't want to completely overlook the negative side in light of a big win.
And also, there's only so much Internet I want to use with each post! If I could have found more space, I would have brought up some more - possibly positive - points but alas, I can only write so much each night :)
Oh, and though they did come back to win it...they started the game off with a 2-0 cushion but you didn't hear me bitching about that. Ok, maybe a little...
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